Horse or Pony?

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angellauren

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I'd appreciate some advice/opinions when deciding between getting a horse or a pony.

I'm 20 years old, 5'6 and I weigh about 7 1/2 - 8 stone, this may sway your advice so there's the basics.

I'm getting a yearling, possibly 2. I'm moving to somewhere with land/stables etc shortly and want some projects in the pipeline as I've enjoyed doing it so much in the past with ponies. I've had a lot more experience around ponies than I ever have horses with regard to ownership etc, I've ridden horses a lot but I've not competed them or anything like I have ponies and I suppose I'm feeling a bit put off for some reason at getting something that's going to grow a little bigger and if things go wrong! I'm not a nervous rider, horses just seem a bit more serious perhaps?! It's hard to explain :confused:
I initially thought "Right, I'll get something that's going to be bigger, something I can keep." but something in my head just keeps niggling at me that it doesn't feel quite right for whatever reason, I don't know. I'm in touch with a guy at a stud and I'm 100% adamant that I want something from him, I'm in love with pretty much all his stock and he has a brilliant reputation. He has plenty of ponies to sell but only 1 baby that's going to be about 16hh.

I'm looking for something to keep, if I got 2 pony yearlings, I intend to sell one on later or I could just get the horse yearling. Can't afford to get one of each unfortunately.

Some people seem to think that if your of a certain height or age then that's it, you must have a horse and you seem to get judged for having a pony, that's another niggle. I know I shouldn't care what people think but the equine industry is so incredibly bitchy, it's hard but I'd rather have something I was happy with than something I couldn't control, not suggesting it's going to be a nutter but there's not a great deal to me and I've always struggled to hold horses together for some reason. There's smaller people than me who do a better job! I'm not exactly a short arse.

Another thing I'm doubting is if I went for ponies and it got to the point where I was actually I do want to compete more seriously and get out and about, it wouldn't be easy to affiliate so then I think horse it is! I'm not hugely competitive at the moment, in fact I've turned in to a happy hacker due to circumstances but I do miss the rest of it too.

Basically I can't make up my mind what I want and which is best for me. Help :( it's starting to stress me out, I don't know why it's such a big decision all of a sudden.

I don't want telling to get something older either, because I can't commit to riding etc right now and I really enjoy having them as a blank canvas.

This is such a ramble, I do apologise but if anyone understands I'd be grateful for your opinions or advice if you were in my shoes.

I don't know what I want - I need my head hitting against a brick wall it feels like!

Thank you folks, I'm pretty new on here but people seem to shed such good and honest advice, I thought it may be worth voicing my worries xx
 
Welcome to the forum!

None of us can tell you what to buy, as it really is down to personal preference. I'm 5'1 and 22 I have a 14.2. Although I have had a few comments, I think her height is perfect for me and she carries me with no issues. I have ridden bigger Horses but I feel safer with my Pony! :o

If your instinct is telling you to keep it small then follow your instinct.
 
I am a mature adult 5'1" rider - and I bought a young native pony four years ago, who has matured to just over 14.1hh and is a perfect height for me. I've never had any comments about riding a pony, in fact I think most people think I'm a teenager until they get up close and see the wrinkles LOL.

I'd had enough of great big warmbloods with my daughter's last horses and never even thought about getting a bigger horse, it was completely out of the question!

I am very pleased with my "little man" he is so cuteeeeeeeee! And proving to be a fab little dressage pony too!

 
If you can cope with ponies you can cope with horses! Ponies have such clever little brains they're always thinking. Why not just get a big pony? Go with your gut and screw what anyone else thinks. Haven't read all the replies. I'm a bit tipsy :)
 
im 5'5 and i have a 17.2hh and 15.2hh i prefer horses, dont know why :o they are a pain to get on ;) but i do ride ponies. the smallest being 12.2hh about 3 weeks ago :) i school my friends 2 13.2hh and im reschooling a friends 13hh also hack out a 14.2hh. tbh i have no interest in ponies... they are not my thing.. i will ride them etc but there is nothing like a big horse to ride but if you dont like them then, well, whats the point in getting one? why not get something that will grow to 14.2hh? my friends 14.2hh that i hack bsja's up to foxhunter and he is amazing :) hes a welsh d x tb. its all about prefrence! if you dont want a horse, dont get one! get a pony :) people who make comments need to grow up and if you are doing well they will just be jealous anyway ;)
 
LaurenBay said:
Welcome to the forum!

None of us can tell you what to buy, as it really is down to personal preference. I'm 5'1 and 22 I have a 14.2. Although I have had a few comments, I think her height is perfect for me and she carries me with no issues. I have ridden bigger Horses but I feel safer with my Pony! :o

If your instinct is telling you to keep it small then follow your instinct.
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:D makes me laugh as it sounds just like me. Love my ponies whenever I ride my hubbies big Belgium draft I feel I need a seatbelt ;)
 
Unless I am reading it wrong it reads like you can afford two ponies or one horse?

If that is the case and you plan to keep them at home I'd go for two ponies as a lone equine would be almost certainly unhappy especially if it's coming from a busy stud where it will have always had some company

There is plenty you can aim a pony at later on that is competitive and good quality talented medium/large ponies do tend to sell quite well
 
I'm *cough* almost 30 and have a pony (passport says 13.2hh, but my measuring tape says 12.3hh). I've moved around a lot during my life and have been to a lot of riding schools. After the age of about 15, every time I went to a new one, they would automatically stick me on a horse. I've never felt entirely comfortable, possibly due to having quite short legs (I'm 5ft3). Eventually I manage to convince the instructor to stick me on a pony and then something just clicks and all is well.
If you like ponies, then get one!
 
WelshD said:
Unless I am reading it wrong it reads like you can afford two ponies or one horse?

If that is the case and you plan to keep them at home I'd go for two ponies as a lone equine would be almost certainly unhappy especially if it's coming from a busy stud where it will have always had some company

There is plenty you can aim a pony at later on that is competitive and good quality talented medium/large ponies do tend to sell quite well
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Agree, not fair on a young horse to be kept alone.

If you want to aim higher in the future competing wise then don't rule out ponies. I have ridden some fabulous sports ponies and have jumped much higher on ponies than I have on horses, VERY quick on the turns in jump offs too :)
 
I'm five foot six, 39 years old and I ride a pony. He's a built-like-brick-shithouse Highland pony but he's fab and I don't care what people think. So there! :D
 
I have a 14.2 connie and I'm 21 and 5'2. He's fab and will easily affiliate if I ever have the money to have a proper crack at it but for now he's a super little competition pony doing the rounds unaff. He doesn't feel small at all and I have only ever had comments from those that look down on ponies but I don't really care about them so we just smile and then beat them :D.

On top of being good at what he does he is cheap to keep and easy to do. I love ponies incase you hadn't guessed, you tend to love them or hate them and as it sounds like you love them I'd say get one.
 
What about an arab welsh cross, performance , pony brain , and lots of fun, or what about a connermara........
our 13 h secb was competed and owned by an adult before we bought her....ponies all the way for me:p
 
I'm the same I just don't feel comfortable on bigger horses everyone was telling me when I bought my youngster that I should get something bigger because I'm 5'7 but I bought a 14.3 Connie x tb and she's fab I don't look big on her and he rides just like a horse but I prefer ponies with there cheekiness and such character I just love them! I also compete my mums 15.1 and he is great his a section d and is a pony in a horses body! So maybe go for a big pony/small horse?
 
I think it depends entirely on what you, personally, are most comfortable with. As this is your first youngster, you want to ensure that you're as happy and confident as possible going into it. That said, it also has to have some longevity. So, what do you prefer riding - big or small? I'm the same height and weight as you and have a fine-boned 16/16.1hh TB mare. She suits me perfectly as although she's relatively tall and leggy, she's incredibly narrow and dainty, and whilst she can certainly throw herself about when so inclined, she's not strong in the sense that she can successfully drag me about. But then, I'm someone who's happiest riding horses - anything beneath 14.2 and I completely seem to lose the plot.

So ultimately, just go with your gut, go with what you want as opposed to what you feel, for one reason or another, you should get. And there are ponies and there are ponies. There are all sorts out there, so getting something that isn't going to reach 16hh certainly doesn't mean sacrificing hopes of competing.
 
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