Is a 14.2 pony too big for a 5 year old to ride?

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Daniel_Jack

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My daughter loves horses and has been around mine since a baby.

This summer she regularly rode her - always on the lead rein - either pottering round the school or hacking out.

I decided to get her a few lessons at the local RS. Tried two different schools and was disappointed in the standard of both of them - one had her in tears!

I'm wondering if my horse would be too big for her to learn on - we have a very good instructor who comes to our yard and is great with kids. I'm about to start lessons again and thought perhaps my daughter and I could split a lesson on my horse i.e I'd ride for the first 40 minutes then she can jump on for 15/20 minutes.

My main concern is that she's still too small for a 14.2 — although the ones the RS put her on weren't much smaller.

My horse is a Saint - totally bombproof but a typical lazy cob that even I struggle to get moving sometimes although my hope would be that if I've already warmed her up she'll be more responsive and my daughter won't have to keep kicking lumps out her as they had her do in her RS lessons. Daughter is also very tall for her age - she's only turned 5 this month but is nearer the height of a 6 or 7 year old.

Could this work? Or do I just need to try and find a better RS? Unfortunately my horse is the smallest at my yard so no other options there.
 
I think it very much depends on the temperament of the pony and what you’re trying to achieve. Being more stop than go is certainly preferable, although your little one might not be able to get the pony moving forwards by the sound of it?

For me, a big consideration would also be the saddle being a suitable size- my 8 year old would still have his legs on the flaps of an ‘adult’ size saddle, although he is small for his age.

if the horse is safe enough give it a go and see?
 
Yes of course it’s fine. As long as the horse has a good temperament. All the Spanish kids learn to ride on 15hh + stallions.
 
When I lived in Switzerland the two stables I rode at had no ponies. All the children learned to ride on horses of a minimum of fifteen two.

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All the children in my family, from toddlers upwards, learnt to ride on the family 15.1 cob. That's because he carried them like porcelain. As they grew, he increased his speed, always slowing down if they became unbalanced.
A good pony is better, but you have to work with what you've got, as long as the temperament is right.
 
Thanks all.

She is the most bombproof horse I've ever met and has always been very well behaved when my daughter rides or handles her.

Re tack - my saddle fitter had suggested and might be able to get a smaller saddle that would fit both daughter and horse so will look into that. Will also get some reins that are easier for smaller people to hold.

When I bought this horse my plan was always that my kids could ride her once they'd had some lessons but the lessons were so bad.

Will give it a go and fingers crossed it works out!
 
It really does depend on the pony if th child is strong enough and the pony willing enough then no problem the comment on having to kick bothers me a bit as it is easy for the child to start flapping and get nowhere and is a really really hard habit to break. Big ponies in general are easier to ride as big strides mean slower movement
 
Does she lunge well? I start all children on the lunge and they do most of their initial lessons on it until they have a balanced rising trot, can do simple exercises and they do not go off until they can remain in balance without relying on the reins, they don't get to hold them until they are ready, it makes life more straightforward for the instructor as they can focus on the child and not on the pony if it lunges like a pro.
The child usually progresses faster, gets properly balanced, gains confidence and a short lesson where they do a fair bit is better than a longer one where they get bored, tired or cold.
 
Better a well behaved big pony, or even a horse, than a non co-operative small one.

At her age she just wants to have fun and be as safe as you can make it (bearing in mind that riding will always have risks).

Our Charlie Horse took under his wing a small child who had been totally overwhelmed when changing from a 11.2 aged pony to a younger 14.2. She started on Charles nervously in walk. Ended up jumping 3'9. Bless the girl, her feet were barely below the saddle flap! Charlie Horse was only just under 17hh (Sire Prospect Pride) but was as kind as they come. He would literally scoop people back on if they were clumsy enough to almost fall off. He would be as slow as a sloth if someone was nervous. I knew the girl was doing well when he bucked in canter, he only did that of someone was happy and secure. She almost fell off laughing, with delight, although we knew he would not let her fall. When she jumped he would carefully line himself up, get it as smooth as possible and make sure she was centred in the saddle before he turned the corner.

So, I would give the pony a go. I do agree with lungeing, until she can at least rise to the trot, steer and pull up. Apart from that, suck it and see.
 
I let my 6 year old cousin ride my 15.1hh loan horse under supervision and got quite a shock when I saw her on him. I thought she'd look ridiculous but she had obviously grown well since I last saw her. Try it and see as I agree with you over the teaching at some riding schools and I'd prefer slightly on the big side and well mannered to small and an unknown quantity.
 
Realistically a child this age is never going to be properly in control of any horse or pony whatever the size as if it chooses not to cooperate there is nothing a child that size can do about it due to lack of skill, basic strength and coordination. On this basis I don't think size is relevant. The important point is whether she can have a ride which she enjoys and teaches her something useful, rather than a frightening or boring experience which puts her off for life. On that basis I don't see any reason your horse will not be ok at the moment to get her going so long as you and instructor are sensible about it. Once she is more competent and independent she will probably benefit from something more size appropriate. Agree with the others that you/instructor will need to be in charge of forward movement and the lunge is likely the best solution at least until they get going together.
 
She's lovely. I used to stop the stirrup leathers and irons for the kids and had a balance strap on the saddle. They also carried a whip because their legs were too short, but actually the dear cob responded to voice aids, but for lessons it might be helpful.
I love your photo of your child enjoying a hack. It's magical for kids, isn't it ? I remember the first time my grandson did sitting trot, aged two years. His little body was so fluid, that he just naturally absorbed the movement. Starting them young is a great way to learn.
 
It realistically will be a long long time before she grows in to a 14.2, my 7 year old girls are still the perfect size for their 12 and 12.2 ponies, and then they will move on to 13.2's probably when they are around 9 or 10.
So Whilst he is great for a plod around now, if she really wants to get going properly (do PC etc), she will need a suitably sized pony. As parents we just have to accept that it means changing ponies every few years ??
 
Mmmm....... well there's a 14.2 and there's a 14.2.

Its a similar difficulty to when I was looking to buy a few years ago and you really come to realise then what a huge difference "type" signifies.

If you're talking about a chunky cobby or native that's well-sprung and as wide as it is long, the sort of type you could chuck a hefty farmer up on to and hunt all day on, I'd say yep that'd be way too big.

My little coblet (profile pic) is 13.2 and I'm 5'3, and we're a good fit to each other. I've also ridden a 12.2 Exmoor and have a cob who's passport says she's 14.2 but she actually rides bigger than my old boy who was 15hh!!

However if you're talking about say a nice little fine Welshie X Arab or TB or something similar, a NF even, then I'd say nope this should be fine!

Sorry, not a helpful answer, as clear as mud basically! Sorry.
 
I'd say it's fine. My tall 6 years old sometimes has a plod on my 15.2hh and he is happy with it. Instructor might put her on the lunge line to start with as BePositive said. My son normally rides a 11hher and I have only let him start riding independently very recently as riding on your own is quite different from a group lesson where you follow the person in front of you. It requires to be in charge of the speed and direction plus being able to moderate your aids.

You could add something like a Heather Moffet hipsaver to try and narrow the twist of the saddle (haven't tried that myself so don't know if it really does what it says on the tin).
 
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