How Much for a First Ridden

[Maeby]

Hello! After an unsuccessful first pony purchase, we are still looking for a first ridden pony. As these are like gold dust, presumably they are quite high in price for a plod - what would you expect to pay for a first ridden?
Thanks

 

[conniegirl]

It entirely depends on your contacts, friendships and the pony in question.

Anything between £1500 for a 20+ yearold non descript saint on legs, possibly with a few health issues like cushings.

To £20k plus for an 8yr old saintly county level showing schoolmaster

Ive been offered one free from a friend who wanted to secure his future but unfortunately I can’t afford 2 on livery and my little one is only 19 months old

 

[maya2008]

Last summer, I kept my eye out as my daughter’s pony was ailing and her only other option was v young for the job. I was seeing £5k for 25yo ponies with declared manageable health issues, but true first ridden, safe as houses. Owners basically wanted to interview for the best home, and had plenty of interested buyers to choose from. People will pay A LOT for a child’s safety and a much loved pony won’t just go to anyone.

I tried the young one out and she’s doing ok thankfully - daughter could now cope with a steady second ridden, as she rides her brother’s pony too. He won’t catch you if you try to wobble off and does require reins and instructions (her pony basically does it all for her) but wouldn’t run off and is quite steady.

Do you really need a perfect first ridden who can teach a child to canter, steering off the lead etc - or does your daughter have the ability to ride a steady second ridden? What kind of pony does she share?

 

[Bobthecob15]

We paid £6000 last year for a 14yr old first ridden, he really is a true first ridden we were very lucky! He did however come with all his tack, custom made saddle, all his rugs and loads of boots etc...so the price reflected that. My daughter was comfortable off the lead rein in all paces though...but definitely not second pony level! I've seen people asking over £10k for them since...really depends on age and what they have done. You'll probably find an older one for less if people are selling...they are hard to part with they tend to be loaned out rather tha sold if I'm honest x

 

[Maeby]

Last summer, I kept my eye out as my daughter’s pony was ailing and her only other option was v young for the job. I was seeing £5k for 25yo ponies with declared manageable health issues, but true first ridden, safe as houses. Owners basically wanted to interview for the best home, and had plenty of interested buyers to choose from. People will pay A LOT for a child’s safety and a much loved pony won’t just go to anyone.

I tried the young one out and she’s doing ok thankfully - daughter could now cope with a steady second ridden, as she rides her brother’s pony too. He won’t catch you if you try to wobble off and does require reins and instructions (her pony basically does it all for her) but wouldn’t run off and is quite steady.

Do you really need a perfect first ridden who can teach a child to canter, steering off the lead etc - or does your daughter have the ability to ride a steady second ridden? What kind of pony does she share?

Her share pony is a 27 yo JA schoolmistress who has really looked after her but is now being retired. I thought she was more confident but really it's this pony that's helping her with that. She can canter and jump but has been thrown off a bolting pony and a bucking pony so needs something she can trust that won't test her. Most second ponies seem to be that because of a quirk, and these make her on edge. I'd rather under horse her to get her confidence up.

 

[SEL]

It might be worth popping a request on some of your local FB forums explaining exactly what you need. I'd also say you'd be happy with loan vs buy. They tend to go word of mouth and friend's younger kids have had them on a loan basis before they've gone to another little kid when outgrown

The other place to ask is charities. Their lead rein ponies often come back to the charity when they are outgrown and then they look for a new family for them. WHW is the one that springs to mind for a very reliable 12h pony I knew.

 

[Abacus]

I sold a pony last year for £6k who was both a lead rein and starter first ridden - very well behaved off lead in all three paces, small jumps and to hack. He had done this job for 4 children and was only 9. He was only 11.1 and wouldn’t jump big (probably; he was outgrown before he needed to). My son and the other three children went from him to a small second pony type (12.2) who was nappy and needed some riding. I think he was a reasonable price for a great little pony and could have asked more but he went to a brilliant home.

 

[HannahB]

If you're thinking of buying, prices tend to go up over the summer when they're all looking their best. I bought my first 14yo pony for 1000 and I still have her, but prices like hers are a rare find nowadays. She is brilliant but does have a few issues and wouldn't have been suitable if I hadn't already been riding 5 years.
Best of luck in choosing, don't be scared to wait for the perfect one. Also try and view a few times to get a feel for the behaviour of the pony. Loaning is also a really good idea.

 

[WelshD]

I've seen a few genuine first riddens sold for 10K, the prices of some ponies has fallen - you can pick up show jumping ponies cheaper - but I think there will always be people out there happy to part with good money for a good first ridden, its the most important pony anyone will ever buy

 

[splashgirl45]

Just looked on horse quest at the native ponies and depending on how big your daughter have a look at ref 301483, new forest pony says 14 hands but he sounds ideal for you if he’s not too big, he is £6,500 he in in the SW , can’t remember whereabouts you are. I would be suspicious that he may have cushings so I would want him blood tested before paying any money

 

[Maeby]

I sold a pony last year for £6k who was both a lead rein and starter first ridden - very well behaved off lead in all three paces, small jumps and to hack. He had done this job for 4 children and was only 9. He was only 11.1 and wouldn’t jump big (probably; he was outgrown before he needed to). My son and the other three children went from him to a small second pony type (12.2) who was nappy and needed some riding. I think he was a reasonable price for a great little pony and could have asked more but he went to a brilliant home.

What breed was your pony? Any thoughts on cobs?

 

[Maeby]

Just looked on horse quest at the native ponies and depending on how big your daughter have a look at ref 301483, new forest pony says 14 hands but he sounds ideal for you if he’s not too big, he is £6,500 he in in the SW , can’t remember whereabouts you are. I would be suspicious that he may have cushings so I would want him blood tested before paying any money

I will thanks, possible a little big as she’s on a 12.2hh that perfect for her at the moment. I’m SE

 

[Abacus]

What breed was your pony? Any thoughts on cobs?

He was a Welsh section A, unregistered. (He came from the slaughterhouse and went from us to probably the best livery yard in the south). He was just a lucky find - a 3 year old saint with just enough sense of humour to be fun but no malice at all. The Welsh As I have known have varied enormously from slow steady lead rein angels to quite feisty nappy ones. I haven’t really had little cobs unless you count a quite chunky 13.2 new forest - who was brilliant as he lasted for ages, took up the leg well. My son rode him until he was 10, and by that time was 5’6.

 

[Equi]

What breed was your pony? Any thoughts on cobs?

Don’t get caught up on breeds. Cobs are not one size fits all as many on here could attest to, some are perfectly civil and others are turbo charged and pig headed and some like mine are both at the same time ? look for the correct size that will suit your daughter and the correct personality. The perfect pony will be out there.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Don’t get caught up on breeds. Cobs are not one size fits all as many on here could attest to, some are perfectly civil and others are turbo charged and pig headed and some like mine are both at the same time ? look for the correct size that will suit your daughter and the correct personality. The perfect pony will be out there.

I agree, some cobs can be tricky to say the least! Some are total angels!
The more she tries the more confident you'll be its right, she needs to try them both in an arena and hacking ideally...we tried one 13.2 in an arena which was absolutely fine but out hacking he napped badly and was too strong for her in trot! We tried 6 before we found ours x

 

[SEL]

I will thanks, possible a little big as she’s on a 12.2hh that perfect for her at the moment. I’m SE

Juliet Clarke (dealer but seems to get good write ups) has a quiet 12h on her FB page.

 

[splashgirl45]

I will thanks, possible a little big as she’s on a 12.2hh that perfect for her at the moment. I’m SE

for a first pony temperament is the most important , if you find a pony you don’t want to have to go through it all again in a couple of years Because it’s too small. If I was looking I would go and look at him and see how big he is in person, he doesn’t look too wide but difficult to know, if his ad is true he sounds like he would give her lots of confidence and would last her for a good while..

 

[Maeby]

Thanks, we’re trying a cob at the weekend and have a potential British riding pony to also try out. I’d may have a look at the 14 hh if it’s not too far. They are all so different, it’s confusing to know what’s good and what isn’t!

 

[splashgirl45]

Hope you get on ok at the weekend , what you are looking for is in short supply so you may have to travel a long way for the right one and maybe wait a while. Good luck

 

[Bobthecob15]

Hope you get on ok at the weekend , what you are looking for is in short supply so you may have to travel a long way for the right one and maybe wait a while. Good luck

yes we travelled the length and breadth of the UK to find ours Ended up with one 4.5hrs away, was worth the petrol though for the right one.

 

[blitznbobs]

I have just paid 6k for a saint - she is exactly as described and although not a plod she has the most amazing attitude. She is not a show stopper in way of going but does exactly what the rider says and if in doubt she stops … worth every penny to me as you can also crawl underneath her, is fab in the heaviest traffic and didn't blink when a helicopter landed next to her… shes a superstar and is going nowhere

 

[eahotson]

I have just paid 6k for a saint - she is exactly as described and although not a plod she has the most amazing attitude. She is not a show stopper in way of going but does exactly what the rider says and if in doubt she stops … worth every penny to me as you can also crawl underneath her, is fab in the heaviest traffic and didn't blink when a helicopter landed next to her… shes a superstar and is going nowhere

That sort,once found,rarely go anywhere.

 

[splashgirl45]

Just had another look on horsequest , 13.2 cob gelding ref 301351 sounds ok, assume it’s a dealer , I still like the 14 hand new forest though ?

 

[Maeby]

I have just paid 6k for a saint - she is exactly as described and although not a plod she has the most amazing attitude. She is not a show stopper in way of going but does exactly what the rider says and if in doubt she stops … worth every penny to me as you can also crawl underneath her, is fab in the heaviest traffic and didn't blink when a helicopter landed next to her… shes a superstar and is going nowhere

Ah, she sounds brill.. where did you find her? was she through contacts or online etc?

 

[Maeby]

Just had another look on horsequest , 13.2 cob gelding ref 301351 sounds ok, assume it’s a dealer , I still like the 14 hand new forest though ?

He does look good

 

[Maeby]

yes we travelled the length and breadth of the UK to find ours Ended up with one 4.5hrs away, was worth the petrol though for the right one.

Nice Where did you find him / her? through contacts or on the open market?

 

[Patterdale]

Between £4-5k should get you a good one. This is the best time of year to buy.

You won’t find a perfect pony because they don’t exist, but a seasoned PC pony with their flaws disclosed is the best bet. Anyone telling you their pony is perfect is lying!

 

[Jules111]

That sort,once found,rarely go anywhere.

I agree, the little 13 hh saint who has taught my daughter to ride will be with us for life. I've broken him to drive so I can keep him fit and working after daughter has outgrown him. We feel we owe the little guy so much for the fun and confidence he's given her. I know a few families who would sell the competition horse if times were hard long before they'd consider selling the first pony. This is probably part of the reason they're so hard to find.

 

[minesadouble]

Last year I sold a super little 13.1 cob who took my youngest daughter from not being able to rise to the trot to qualifying for the Sunshine Tour 70cm over a roughly 2 year period.

We were looking for a bigger pony and put a wanted ad on the PC ponies FB page. We found the perfect pony from this advert.
Whilst browsing I saw a wanted ad for a pony that fitted the description of our little outgrown cob to a T.

I messaged the lady and told her we had a pony being vetted and that if we brought the new pony home and it all worked out then our little super cob may be for sale. The home sounded perfect and the potential buyer was happy to wait.

Bigger pony worked out a treat and the new nervous jockey tried our pony and fell in love with him.

I asked 5k inc. tack, for a 13.1, 11 year old coloured cob, it was probably a little on the low side, but the home sounded perfect and our outgrown pony is now giving his new jockey as much confidence as he gave his old one.

It is definitely worth putting a wanted ad on the PC ponies FB page, that's where we sold our old superstar and bought our current one. If you do put a wanted ad up be prepared to do some sifting! There was a fair bit of chaff among the wheat ?

 

[Bobthecob15]

The Facebook Pony Club page is good, we got ours from there...although you will also get a lot of inappropriate 3yr olds people will try and convince you are perfect for your child ?