I cant decide between 2 ponies-opinions please

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kazhar

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Hi all.
I have seen 2 welsh ponies this weekend (to loan).
Now both of them are ideal. I cannot for the life of me decide between the 2. I thought one of them would have at least one fault I could use to decide but no (which is a good thing I suppose) so can some of you please give me an opinion on the differences between the 2 particular on welsh section A V welsh section C for a child.

pony 1-12hh, Sec A with tack and rugs. very sweet and child got on really well with him. Only 10 years old but never really been out to shows etc.

pony 2 12.3 sec C so a bit bigger, but younger at 6, has been to a few shows. No tack so would have to buy. Also very good with child. Option to buy in future if I wanted too. but maybe very slightly too big just now, but on the other hand, plenty of room as child gets older. Big enough for me to ride also if If any issues.

I really do like both and if I could give time to the 2, would have them but can only have one really.
 
I would go with pony 2, useful if you can ride it as well, plus a good section C will last the child a long time as they have plenty of width usually, so take a longer leg.
 
she is 7 but tall. She didnt look little on the bigger one which is what I thought might happen. Im just thinking its got potentially more strength than the section A as it is fairly stocky--but lovely :D. I am forcing myself not to choose on colour. The smaller one is light grey (white) and the bigger is very dark grey....easier to keep clean I am thinking :D
 
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I would go for the 2nd one but if you want to buy the pony agree a price now as some people have the cheek of putting the price up if you do loads of work with the pony!
 
It would depend on the child, age, experience etc. The bigger pony is still young and may be the better choice long term but the smaller one may get a less experienced child riding better with more confidence in the short term, the child may feel safer and have more control on the sec A . The sec C may still try it on with a less experienced rider, although if you can get on it may help. I would always rather underhorse a child than buy one to grow into as things can go wrong on the way.
So no answers really just more questions:eek:
Maybe take one on trial for a month before committing to a permanent arrangement.
 
If both ponies are as good as they seem, then I think it depends a lot on the child.
- would you realistically expect the child to get more than one year off the smaller pony? If not then go for the other cos they will have just had time to get to know each other properly and will need to start again.
- is the child likely to loose confidence easily or get bothered if she cant persuade the horse to do what she wants? With horse 1 being smaller your child has more size advantage, and with it being older it is less likely to be discovering new tricks to try out. If you arent worried about the child's confidence then it is ok for you to get on the bigger one to fix it, but if she might be bothered by coming off a lot or needing you to sort it out then the smaller one gives you much better chances.
- are there things you think the child would like to do in the future (showing, gymkhanas, jumping etc) that one horse would be more suited for than the other?
- if you don't buy horse 2, is there a risk that the owner will sell to someone else so you dont get the benefits of the time to grow together etc anyway?

My instinct would be that horse 1 gives her a better shot at a positive first time horse owning experience (assuming this is her first), albeit that will be a shorter experience than she could have with horse 2. Plus as it sounds like the horse is not for sale, at least you can be pretty confident that when she does grow out of it it will go back to the old people who are arent going to sell it on to who knows where.
 
Ideally pony one but I can understand why pony 2 is more attractive to you with longer use prospect. If you can ride pony 2 happily this would be better.

But I would not over horse her or she will lose her nerve. Which I am sure you know.

My gut instinct was pony one as a realistic first pony due to being more experienced.

Also if you are starting pony club etc you will pick up next size up probably via pony club?
 
although pony one is the older at ten, it still has done less than the younger one. the younger one has been out to shows and been placed first so must have behaved itself lol.
The older pony hasnt been to any shows. so not more experienced in that respect. Hmmm Im still deciding LOL. Has been on my mind all day :D
 
Any pony is stronger than its rider: Welsh A can tank off with a rider and pull on them, just like a C can! Over-horsing can be phasing though, but I doubt 12.3hh would feel that way to a tall child. 8yr olds ride some of our yard's 14.2hh as my RS believes there's something to be learned from any horse, regardless of size.

If you want the pony for shows, then I think I'd favour mileage over age too. The Section C definitely sounds like the better long-term choice, but would only be worth it if the pony is right for your daughter in the shorter-term too.
 
be positive said:
It would depend on the child, age, experience etc. The bigger pony is still young and may be the better choice long term but the smaller one may get a less experienced child riding better with more confidence in the short term, the child may feel safer and have more control on the sec A . The sec C may still try it on with a less experienced rider, although if you can get on it may help. I would always rather underhorse a child than buy one to grow into as things can go wrong on the way.
So no answers really just more questions:eek:
Maybe take one on trial for a month before committing to a permanent arrangement.
Click to expand...

Agree with this.

Is the child on the leadrein? If off the leadrein, then definately have the smaller one. Children want to do games etc at that age, and you so many diddies at pc who can't lead their ponies themselves or get on and off because their ponies are too big/strong. My stepson was on his 12h pony until 10/11, so don't worry about her growing out.. I wouldn't let stories of a rosette sway you - go off the general temprament. Our 4yr old sec A won loads, but a lot of it was due to us hanging onto her well! His next pony was 14 and had been there and done it twenty times - was way better. I'd only have a young pony on the leadrein given a choice!

Go and see both a few more times, under different situations if possible.
 
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