How do you "try before you buy" small ponies??

chickeninabun

chickeninabun

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If i was to look at getting a small pony for my small child (i'm not.. Honest!.. Please don't mention this to my husband!:D), how do you go about trying it out before you buy it??

My biggest small child (6yo) can ride a little, hasn't mastered rising trot yet, but will hold reins, sit nicely etc. And my smallest small child (nearly 3yo, it's her birthday next month;);))has only sat on the horse and been lead round a little.

If it was something tiny, like a Shetland, I couldn't get on it, (well even if it was something bigger, I couldn't, being about 5'9" and the wrong side of 11stone!!:o), so how would you know it was safe to plonk your kids on??:confused:
 
Well I am presuming that the pony would have a child rider so you could watch them ride the pony?
Or if you know anyone with a small competent little rider to try the pony for you?
 
I always wondered this! My daughters only small pony was off a friend who i knew very well so i did plonk her staright on. After this she had a 13.3 and i rode it myself.
Do you have a friend who is tiny? We have a shetland at work and i can sit on him just to prove he wont buck or rear! or ask if the seller has a rider (even if outgrown they should be able to hop on for 10 mins)

Its difficult and i will be interested in the replies- Have you found a pony not to buy? ;-)
 
Best way is word of mouth. Ask at your local Pony Club. Ponies behave differently for different riders/handlers and there are no guarantees. Take your children for lessons if you can to make sure they are sufficiently interested. The way a pony goes for an adult may not be the same for a tiny child.
 
I Brought my daughter her first pony a few weeks ago. In my opinion if a seller is considering selling it to a toddler they must be being truthful about the horses temperament etc. If not they are incredibly evil. But that may be me being to trusting and expecting too much of people.

When I went to see my daughters pony we did it on the spare of the moment and was completely unprepared. I didnt even have my horsey stuff on as we had just been to the dentists but never mind.

When we got there little one fussed her and stroked her and she was given a little nuzzle back. She gave her a few polos. So she was brushed off and tacked up for my little one to have a go. They didnt have a rider of any description for this pony as the owners children were late teens. She had previously been out on loan to a little child. In actual fact I dont even know why the sellers even had her. But hey ho.

We then walked up and down and around their yard and she was as good as gold. I could just tell she was going to be perfect, and she is.

My daughters 3 in july and flame is a 11h welshie cross with another native breed I believe dartmoor. We have had a few little issues like the cub saddle she came with doesnt fit atall (even though they are ment to fit all ponies)and she did a little buck with ellie on board,so ive got to find another saddle. She was also full of lice. Shes also a bit of a handful to handle when its us dong it typical welshie,but as soon as my daughter is any where near her or leading her shes as good as gold, But we are getting their and little one loves her so im happy. still early days.

Its good fun
 
I don't know any small riders, but yes hopefully small pony would have a rider to show what the pony can do.

Saying that my eldest small child did help break a shetland in for a friend, she lead the shetland, whilst I held the small child and whipped her off the couple of times it had a bit of a paddy. Small child loved it!:D

Anyway!!! You were supposed to say.. It can't be done, if you can't ride yourself, you can't buy, now stop even thinking about getting ANOTHER pony!!
It's hard to resist when smallest child is asked what do you want for your birthday and replies with "a tiny pony, and tiny saddle, and hat and boots and...":D
 
DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!you know you wanna. lmao. They are both lovely. I like the chestnut best.

here are pics of flame.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=443692

I do think I should of gotten her a smaller pony, but im a hoarder and would end up with a collection of ponies of different sizes. So i jumped in at deep end with a 11hander. Children grow so quickly so i dont think it will be tooooooo long until little ones the right height for her.(fingers crossed)

was hoping to do some shows but shes missing half her tail from scratching so it may have to wait until next year,we will have to see how it goes.

I say..............DO IT!!DO IT!!DO IT!!
 
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