How far wouldyou travel to look for a kids pony?

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Stenners

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I'm tentatively on the hunt for my childs new pony and one to sell. However there seems to be nothing within about 4 hours of me!! It's such a long way to drag a 7 year old if it doesn't work out! How far would you all travel?
 
maya2008 said:
Wow! Whereabouts are you?

I would put up wanted ads on all local Facebook pages before driving 4 hours away. There might be someone dithering about advertising who would see your ad and think you might be the perfect home.
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I've done this! I'm still getting people message that don't read the ad and are 5 hours away!!
 
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I have a few options to swop/pay the difference wither way for a quieter pony from those looking and have others to sell. I'm in Somerset looking for a 1.5 type pony 12.2-13.2 for all PC activities, hacking, generally for my child to have fun on and be safe.
 
I looked at 3 which were 3 hours away (6hr round trip) for myself, not a child. It's tiring as you've also got to spend time at the viewing. I wouldn't like to go further, especially not with a 7yo. If you're planning a long trip do plenty of research in advance and get videos. Even then, I've turned up to find the horse is lame and more careful scrutiny showed that the videos sent were all from months ago.
 
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The reality is genuine, safe kids ponies are really difficult to find and are often sold through word of mouth. Often, if one is advertised you have to be prepared to view it asap before anyone else buys it too. The right pony will be worth travelling for, could you make viewing a bit of an adventure with an overnight stay if needed?
 
EventingMum said:
The reality is genuine, safe kids ponies are really difficult to find and are often sold through word of mouth. Often, if one is advertised you have to be prepared to view it asap before anyone else buys it too. The right pony will be worth travelling for, could you make viewing a bit of an adventure with an overnight stay if needed?
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I'm thinking this too!
 
You’ll have to put in the miles I’m afraid!!! The very good ones get past around through PC or friends so anything that is on the market always seems to be miles away! The furthest we went with my 7 yr old was 4hrs each way! Nuts. Did find one eventually 4hrs away 🤦🏻‍♀️
 
You’ll have to put in the miles I’m afraid!!! The very good ones get passed around through PC or friends so anything that is on the market always seems to be miles away! The furthest we went with my 7 yr old was 4hrs each way! Nuts. Did find one eventually 4hrs away 🤦🏻‍♀️

Any yes you can’t always wait till the weekend, they go within hours of being advertised in some cases!
 
Can you find a dealer or two where you could see several ponies to make the travel and overnight worthwhile whilst increasing your chances of finding something suitable?
 
EventingMum said:
The reality is genuine, safe kids ponies are really difficult to find and are often sold through word of mouth. Often, if one is advertised you have to be prepared to view it asap before anyone else buys it too. The right pony will be worth travelling for, could you make viewing a bit of an adventure with an overnight stay if needed?
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The same could be said of good safe adults horses as well.
 
I wouldn't travel that far to see a pony unless I had already seen lots of videos and had been able to ask lots of questions. You can tell a lot from videos and by speaking to the owner. I wouldn't want to travel 4 hrs to see a pony just from photos, turn up and see that it's lame!
 
I have travelled the length and breadth of the country. Completely wasted time. I’ve seen lame ponies, ponies that bolted with the child, bucked, needed 2 adults to chase it into the arena, a ‘perfect safe pony’ that she said just needed a quick lunge before anyone gets on ‘but then it’s fine.’

All after extensive phone calls and videos. I’ve paid for hotels and travelled hours. No more!!

I’ve just put a deposit down on a pony bought unseen from a friend of a friend, and after glowing references from previous owners. So we’ll see how that goes!
 
If you can turn it into a fun time - car picnic, a time to chat and listen to a book as you are driving along it can be worth it. I remember as others have said arriving and thinking, lovely pony but not for us and then driving all the way home again. You feel deflated when it is not the right pony but of course, you forget the journey when you find the right one.
 
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