It's hard to shop for ponies for other people..

H

Hells Bells

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My OH and I have decided it's time for our eldest to have a pony... so the horse hunting starts here!

I'm SO excited about this, but its hard because I'm sure I'll see lots that I would like, but I have to remember this isnt for me.

Plan is to suprise her at X-mas..not quite worked out the logistics of it yet, but rough plan is smuggle it on to our yard on xmas eve night, and then for her to 'find' this new arrival on xmas day whilst doing the feeds, and then for us to break the news that its hers. I think I'm more excited than she will be!!

And this wont turn into a 'ponies are for life not just for xmas moment', because she has been riding since she was 3, has had a couple of loans over the years, helps me everyday on our yard etc. I got my first at 12 years old, and because he was 14.2hh, I could ride him for a long time to come (and still have him now!) So there's a similar train of thought with her.

So, whilst on this note, I wandered whether any other people on here had done a similar 'surprise'? Or just a general idea of the types of pony you have got your own kids of that age? Our's is 13 years old, about 5ft4 at the moment, not at all heavy... she's got a love for cobby types (i wonder where she got that from...) so my OH and I will be looking for something along those lines...

I love the idea, but I'm worried we wont pick the 'right' one!
 
Get her to to start looking and trying, but if there's one she does fall for totally dismiss it out of hand. I think it's important she's the one who rides and trials it before you buy, and this way you'd make the surprise even bigger?
 
How lovely. :-) She's a very lucky girl.

No, I've never done anything like that, I've never had the chance. It's a wonderful idea. I can imagine how nerve-racking it must be to choose the right animal, but it sounds like you're close and that you will know when you see the right one.

Film her reaction when she realises it's hers! :)
 
Ahh yes, filming is such a good idea! :)

My OH and I are currently compiling a list of 'maybes', of course, we would have to ensure that we can find somewhere to house said surprise prior to xmas, as we might end up finding 'the one' tomorrow for all we know!

We had thought of getting a friend involved and to go 'horse shopping' with her, and asking daughter to test drive for her. She's a clever one though, so we're going to have to be sneaky!
 
my parents looked at horses for me. and surprised me with a valentines note from the one they thought was perfect. I went to try him on valentines day and he came home a week later.

good luck with your search :)
 
lol my dads pretty good at :p
that horse would still be with me if he hadn't colicked. he's also picked my current horse :D

I'm sure you're daughter will love which ever pony/horse you pick. :)
 
wow she is so lucky :p i wish my parents would do that!! oh well i have got an amazing pony that i share :D
hope you find the right one... a thought though, she doesnt look on here does she?? or look at the browser history, just a thought though, dont want it tobe spoilt! :)
 
I have to confess, I've done it, wrapped a photo of the pony she had tried and wanted but didn't tell her until she unwrapped the photo on Xmas Day. Worked a treat !
Shame you didn't want a loan, I've got a lovely Cob x Weser Ems, 13.1HH. Don't want to part with him until I've 'tested' the home for a good while.
 
Clement- thank you :) She has her own laptop, and from what I can gather, spends her life time on facebook, youtube etc. I know she trawls through classifieds etc deciding which ones she would buy if she had her own riding school...but as far as am aware, she's not on here- wouldnt it be awful if she was!! (I'll have to be careful not to mention the forum in her presence)

Waterborn- how lovely!! I bet she loved that! Its a little girls dream, isnt it?
You know, a year ago, we probably would have loved to have loaned one like yours..just think after her having a couple (and the heartbreak that comes when its time for them to go home/she outgrew them) we think its time she had her own. Thanks very much though!
 
My parents did this for me when I was 11 and I can still remember the emotions when I saw him with a Christmas card round his neck – I burst into tears! The difference was the pony came from the stables I had lessons at so I had ridden him in lessons and on hacks over the preceding few months so they knew he was suitable – sadly they didn’t anticipate the growth spurt I was about to have and 9 months later I was far too tall for him :(

Is it possible to view some ponies with your daughter and tell her they may possibly be available on loan next year but you just want to check them out now in case it does come up for loan? Then if you find a suitable one it can appear at Christmas –obviously the seller would have to be in on this subterfuge. This way your daughter will get a suitable pony you know she likes and you still get the surprise element on Christmas Day – I’m sure she will forgive you the white lie given the circumstances!
 
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