Polar Bear9
Well-Known Member
What was your first pony? How old were you? Do you look back and think 'I wish I could ride that again' or 'Dear God what were my parents thinking?!'
I'm bored, for a bit of entertainment- Your first pony??
- Thread starter Polar Bear9
- Start date
Spring Feather
Well-Known Member
A black Shetland pony and a beautiful chestnut with 4 white stockings and big blaze Welsh Sec A were my first ponies from when I was teeny. The Shetland was a horror once I was old enough to be off the lead rein. He loved to buck. The Welsh was a nice little pony who had a bit of spice but was safe from what I remember. Most of the ponies I had were quite lively and not exactly a breeze to ride, but I enjoyed them.
schneeko
Well-Known Member
Meet Schnapps
Spent most of my childhood trying to kill me, went into early retirement but brought him back into work for a challenge when I was 18 and he gave me a couple of really great years before going back out to be a field ornament at the age of 24 
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Sukistokes2
Well-Known Member
A new forest x tb 14.2 small horse. Bright bay with one white sock and a white star, hence his name, Star. Brought for me and my sister when I was 14 and my sister 12. He was 9 and very, very fat. I remember the horror of those horsey people on the yard. We didn't have a clue really we learnt as we went along, the yard people bombarded us with advice some of it useful , most not. Feed him, don't feed him, leave him in, turn him out, ride him, don't ride him. I still remember the relief when we moved to our own place.
Was a super pony for kids, fast, good at most things but a git to stop! He was such a pretty horse. He reached the fine old age of 31 before he left us. I had hacked him around the block two days before. Still miss him.
Was a super pony for kids, fast, good at most things but a git to stop! He was such a pretty horse. He reached the fine old age of 31 before he left us. I had hacked him around the block two days before. Still miss him.
Polar Bear9
Well-Known Member
Meet Schnapps
Edited to say: sorry for the massive signature, going to fix that now :S
I recognise that school! Sherecroft in Botley! I used to have mine there as well way back when
schneeko
Well-Known Member
Yeah, that's the one
Polar Bear9
Well-Known Member
Haha, horses are a small world! 
Woolly Hat n Wellies
Well-Known Member
What a coincidence! I've just been looking through some old photos this evening!
My first pony was Sparkle, an 11.2hh Welsh Section A, of indeterminate age. He loved his belly, and had to have his bit rings ties to the D rings on his saddle with baler twine for small riders! He only ever cantered on one leg, and jumped anything as long as it was a cross pole on the lowest possible hole But he was bombproof. He never spooked in his life, not at traffic, not at shooting, not at dogs, nothing. He once saved me and my mum from some over-curious cows by threatening to kick them when they got too close, despite the fact that they were at least twice his height! He was my cousin's to start with.
Here she is assisting me in the earliest photo of me 'riding' that I can find. I can only imagine whoever gave me the whip thought it was funny that it was bigger than me.
He did me until I could nearly touch my toes together under his belly. He could be a scruffy little b*gger:
But we scrubbed up pretty well, and he was always first in Bonny Pony classes, even if my mum bought me showing kit 'to grow into'!
And even though he was an old man, and would probably have much preferred a quiet life to carting me round hacks, and out to shows, and up and down the gymkhana field, and being used for vaulting practice in the field with no tack, we were always a team!
My first pony was Sparkle, an 11.2hh Welsh Section A, of indeterminate age. He loved his belly, and had to have his bit rings ties to the D rings on his saddle with baler twine for small riders! He only ever cantered on one leg, and jumped anything as long as it was a cross pole on the lowest possible hole
But he was bombproof. He never spooked in his life, not at traffic, not at shooting, not at dogs, nothing. He once saved me and my mum from some over-curious cows by threatening to kick them when they got too close, despite the fact that they were at least twice his height! He was my cousin's to start with. Here she is assisting me in the earliest photo of me 'riding' that I can find. I can only imagine whoever gave me the whip thought it was funny that it was bigger than me.
He did me until I could nearly touch my toes together under his belly. He could be a scruffy little b*gger:
But we scrubbed up pretty well, and he was always first in Bonny Pony classes, even if my mum bought me showing kit 'to grow into'!
And even though he was an old man, and would probably have much preferred a quiet life to carting me round hacks, and out to shows, and up and down the gymkhana field, and being used for vaulting practice in the field with no tack, we were always a team!
laurac2896
Well-Known Member
This is my first pony Flamingo, I'm sat on the back clinging on! 😂
Polar Bear9
Well-Known Member
These pictures are so wonderful Keep them coming guys!
Keep them coming guys!glinda
Well-Known Member
My first pony was Lulu, a 13.2 bay welsh x mare….. I was 21 lol and she was about 15 when I got her.
I spent my childhood wishing I could have a pony (very non horsey family) and having a couple of lessons when i could but grabbed the chance at Lulu when she was offered to me by a friend…
She was a cantankerous mare but by gosh I loved her to bits, she hated schooling so we just used to go off for hours by ourselves hacking. She eventually got ringbone and semi retired and then i had to have her put to sleep when she was 25 due to acute liver failure. Still miss her to this day and I haven't been with a horse/pony since…. now 6 in the stables!! Got the bug good a proper after a late start.
Could any body would tell me how to post a photo ?????
I spent my childhood wishing I could have a pony (very non horsey family) and having a couple of lessons when i could but grabbed the chance at Lulu when she was offered to me by a friend…
She was a cantankerous mare but by gosh I loved her to bits, she hated schooling so we just used to go off for hours by ourselves hacking. She eventually got ringbone and semi retired and then i had to have her put to sleep when she was 25 due to acute liver failure. Still miss her to this day and I haven't been with a horse/pony since…. now 6 in the stables!! Got the bug good a proper after a late start.
Could any body would tell me how to post a photo ?????
maccachic
Well-Known Member
13.2 Black mare called Topsy she was 10 years old I was 12.
Mike007
Well-Known Member
Ebony ,my dream horse, at 16 and having wished for a pony/horse for so many years. 3 months later she died of colic at ponyclub camp. I guess somthing in me died too.
OwnedbyJoe
Well-Known Member
Folly. 25 years old and cost 25 quid! She was utterly trustworthy, but always wore grass reins. I was 4... Indeterminate breeding, probably mostly Welsh.
Cheshire Chestnut
Well-Known Member
14hh New Forest gelding I renamed 'Macaroni Cheese'. I'm sure he loved his name really
Sugarplum Furry
Well-Known Member
Goblin, black pure bred Dartmoor gelding, my parents bought him for me for my 4th birthday. He was well named, he bit, kicked, reared, bolted, could escape from anywhere and disappear for days on end, hated people, especially men and had shocking sweet itch so looked an absolute fright most of the time. However, he was mine and I loved him. When I was 11 I'd grown out of him and we moved house, the daughter of the people who bought our house bought him. She owned him for the rest of his life, he was about 40 when he finally died. I rather think he lived to such a great age out of spite...
misskk88
Well-Known Member
I will find a photo but my first love was a badly put together palomino called Chammy. She was croop high (badly!), scruffy, use to nip whenever you gave her a second to think about it. Some days I could barely get her to trot. But when I outgrew her I cried and cried and cried! I got upgraded to a little grey 13.2 pocket rocket, who was truly awesome. Cried when I outgrew that too! Funnily enough I also cried when I outgrew the next too....!
gingernut81
Well-Known Member
I got given my first pony for my 14th birthday by my totally non horsey parents. She was called Bugsy. A 14hh coloured - quite fine boned but god knows what her breeding was. She taught me to ride and have a secure seat - she used to nap on her own and 'drop her shoulder' unexpectedly but I loved her to bits. I was gutted when I had outgrew her. As far as I am aware she was sold to a family with an autistic boy in Cornwall and no doubt they still have her. She was on a news item years ago with the lad - he was leading her around. So glad she went to someone who really really loved her to bits :0) no doubt she became his world.
SatsumaGirl
Well-Known Member
The first ponies I used to ride regularly were two little things that were probably only about 12hh, possibly 12.2.
One was a little palomino called Benji. We were always told he was a Welshie but I think looking back, either he was overweight or had the shortest legs! I think there was probably some Shetland in there too.
The second was a little monster. He was a bay and white Shetland x heavy cob. He had the body and head of a cob and short stocky legs, like a Shettie.
My first pony is living in the field right now. He's 29yo and I've looked after him/loaned him since I was 10 -finally managed to buy him when I was 17- I'm now 28.
He's 14hh and all we know was that the mare was a Dales. He originally belonged to the one of the ladies high up in the local hunt, he belonged to her daughter.
He then ended up at a dealer friend of my yard owner at the time- I'm assuming due to being outgrown.
He was in the riding school for a long time but I persevered, only taking 7 years to manage to buy him!
He was a great little pony in his time. I was young and daft and I don't think I gave him enough credit. He'd happily take me hacking halfway across South Tyneside, up and down main roads and through residential streets- though if he was ever frightened or unsure of something, I'd have to flag down a pedestrian for him to follow! He had the dirtiest stop known to man and would drop his shoulder and catapult you over the other side of the jump! All in good fun.
We've been together 18 years now and I do hope he lives a good while yet. I always said if he made 30, I'd be happy but now that he's 29, I'm hoping he makes at least 35!
One was a little palomino called Benji. We were always told he was a Welshie but I think looking back, either he was overweight or had the shortest legs! I think there was probably some Shetland in there too.
The second was a little monster. He was a bay and white Shetland x heavy cob. He had the body and head of a cob and short stocky legs, like a Shettie.
My first pony is living in the field right now. He's 29yo and I've looked after him/loaned him since I was 10 -finally managed to buy him when I was 17- I'm now 28.
He's 14hh and all we know was that the mare was a Dales. He originally belonged to the one of the ladies high up in the local hunt, he belonged to her daughter.
He then ended up at a dealer friend of my yard owner at the time- I'm assuming due to being outgrown.
He was in the riding school for a long time but I persevered, only taking 7 years to manage to buy him!
He was a great little pony in his time. I was young and daft and I don't think I gave him enough credit. He'd happily take me hacking halfway across South Tyneside, up and down main roads and through residential streets- though if he was ever frightened or unsure of something, I'd have to flag down a pedestrian for him to follow!
He had the dirtiest stop known to man and would drop his shoulder and catapult you over the other side of the jump! All in good fun. We've been together 18 years now and I do hope he lives a good while yet. I always said if he made 30, I'd be happy but now that he's 29, I'm hoping he makes at least 35!
Arniebear
Well-Known Member
My first was a rescue pony from ILPH i shared him with my sister for a year before mum quickly decided sharing didnt work!
Harvey was a 13.2 highland x a true legend you could do anything with him but he didnt like men! He lived his life out with us and was put down at 25
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums.../HORSES/40270_10150228427650494_1493639_n.jpg
My first 12.2 was called rusty he was also a dude but sadly died of grass sickness shortly after being sold
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums.../HORSES/39808_10150228427310494_2533350_n.jpg
Harvey was a 13.2 highland x a true legend you could do anything with him but he didnt like men! He lived his life out with us and was put down at 25
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums.../HORSES/40270_10150228427650494_1493639_n.jpg
My first 12.2 was called rusty he was also a dude but sadly died of grass sickness shortly after being sold
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums.../HORSES/39808_10150228427310494_2533350_n.jpg
fattylumpkin
Well-Known Member
A welsh section B named Star poor thing had to put up with a lot as I didn't have a clue for the first couple of years, but he never let me down and put up with all my not so intelligent moments without complaint. I couldn't have asked for a better first pony.
poor thing had to put up with a lot as I didn't have a clue for the first couple of years, but he never let me down and put up with all my not so intelligent moments without complaint. I couldn't have asked for a better first pony.
MyDogIsAnIdiot
Well-Known Member
'My' first horse is Maddie - she's 4 and I'm 20! I shared and loaned a few in my teens, but never had the chance to have one of my very own until I left home to go to uni. Why I thought that a just-broken (she'd been under saddle 3/4 weeks when I got her) 3 year-old was good idea is a mystery, but she's been mostly hoof perfect.
(I know my lower leg is awful, I wasn't expecting a jump like this at all - as you can see, we ended up jumping just below the top of the ~1.30m wings
).
(I know my lower leg is awful, I wasn't expecting a jump like this at all - as you can see, we ended up jumping just below the top of the ~1.30m wings
).
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ElleSkywalkingintheair
As excited as Kitty about to be a bridesmaid
Mine was a 2 year old former gypsy pony (not a typical gypsy pony at all, looks like a Welsh x TB & is ginger) brought from a market 2 hours after I finished my last GCSE. I brought her with a couple of hundred quid from my grandpa & my life savings under the condition that my mum would not pay a penny towards her & I had to make my own way to see her daily. I was 15 years old when I got her
I stuck to my conditions, broke her myself & fast forward nearly 20 years I still have her & now her 3 year old daughter who am currently breaking
I stuck to my conditions, broke her myself & fast forward nearly 20 years I still have her & now her 3 year old daughter who am currently breaking
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flurryjuno
Well-Known Member
14.2hh 8yo Trotter, trotted from a 3yo to 6yo then left out for two years until he was handed to me when when I was 11. With two non horsey parents and me thinking I knew everything and anything, he put up with a lot! Poor boy never rode in his life and had me flapping around on his back not understanding why he couldn't canter a lap of the arena, or putting bits in back to front, not being strong enough to his his back leg so he would hold it up himself etc.
In the 3 years I had him he sure did teach me how to have a secure seat, friends were banned from riding him, he was a renowned bolter in arenas/fields/roads, had an almighty buck and his party trick was to roll on the beach then go play in the waves as I ran about like an idiot trying to catch him Only really the last year that we got out and about, I spent the first two pottering about my field and the local roads showing off just pleased with the fact I had my own pony. We were jumping 1.20m courses, hunting every weekend (up front of course with the big boys no way was he waiting behind) and I was getting to the point where I was slightly too big for him when stuff went downhill with the fam, I see him about here and there but miss him to bits
In the 3 years I had him he sure did teach me how to have a secure seat, friends were banned from riding him, he was a renowned bolter in arenas/fields/roads, had an almighty buck and his party trick was to roll on the beach then go play in the waves as I ran about like an idiot trying to catch him
Only really the last year that we got out and about, I spent the first two pottering about my field and the local roads showing off just pleased with the fact I had my own pony. We were jumping 1.20m courses, hunting every weekend (up front of course with the big boys no way was he waiting behind) and I was getting to the point where I was slightly too big for him when stuff went downhill with the fam, I see him about here and there but miss him to bits
SteadyOnEthel
Well-Known Member
my first pony Masie a 12.3hh 5yr old mare, i was 19. My mum couldn't afford a pony when i was younger so i bought one. she was the most amazing pony, had her naughty moments (bucked me off during mounted games) but i completed my first hunter trials on her
Miller1979
Well-Known Member
I'm really loving reading about all your pony stories!
My first 'pony' is my current lad Miller. I wished for a pony since I knew what a pony was but being from a non-horsey family, it didn't happen. Ended up having weekly lessons and did my BHS exams when I finished school. I had a bad fall when I was 21 and broke my leg badly so took a break from horses, got married and had my family. Though I still went to the RDS every year and watched anything horse related on TV. Then 3 years ago I started taking lessons again and last November I finally got my first 'pony' when I was 34! He is 11 and 16hh and I couldn't be happier with him. Here we are doing our second ever dressage competition last week and coming 2nd! We came first on our first outing!
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My first 'pony' is my current lad Miller. I wished for a pony since I knew what a pony was but being from a non-horsey family, it didn't happen. Ended up having weekly lessons and did my BHS exams when I finished school. I had a bad fall when I was 21 and broke my leg badly so took a break from horses, got married and had my family. Though I still went to the RDS every year and watched anything horse related on TV. Then 3 years ago I started taking lessons again and last November I finally got my first 'pony' when I was 34! He is 11 and 16hh and I couldn't be happier with him. Here we are doing our second ever dressage competition last week and coming 2nd! We came first on our first outing!
Equi
Well-Known Member
My first pony was Joey, an approx 12.2 welsh type cobby thing. Advertised as a 10yo all rounder with no health problems, turned out to be a nearly 30yo with severe melanomas. Took him at the tim cause we didn't know any better and returned him but the owner refused to take him back and refund our money (trading standards didn't work then lol) so we came home with him.
He was a wonderful first pony, very easy to do and very ridable. Even got famous as the local parade pony, was on TV and everything.
When he got about 5 months before death he started napping badly, so after one or two tries i stopped riding him cause he was clearly telling me he had had enough. He was put to rest when he was ready and is buried in my orchard under the tree he loved <3
He was a wonderful first pony, very easy to do and very ridable. Even got famous as the local parade pony, was on TV and everything.
When he got about 5 months before death he started napping badly, so after one or two tries i stopped riding him cause he was clearly telling me he had had enough. He was put to rest when he was ready and is buried in my orchard under the tree he loved <3
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
My first pony was a horse. I didn't graduate onto ponies until I was 21
Still have him, he's in his 20s but doesn't really believe in getting old...
Still have him, he's in his 20s but doesn't really believe in getting old...
pansymouse
Well-Known Member
Gyspy a black 13.2 mare of unknown breeding. She was scruffy, ill disposed to the world and very prone to laminitis . She loved hunting and jumping but hated all people except my Dad. I couldn't catch her, she kicked me, bit me and bucked like a bronco. My Dad used to tether her on the village green because we didn't have enough grazing (and paying for extra wasn't on his radar) but at least I could catch her that way. She taught me to stick on and hang onto the reins if I did come off (otherwise she would just run away). I loved her to pieces and rode until I was 17 despite being 5' 10". She died of natural causes when I was 18 - I was desolate.
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
This pony. He was a 3yo and had had no real schooling when I got him but we managed and must have ridden thousands of miles as I was out on him dawn to dusk any time I wasn't at school.