Kids first pony ....... when, how, what, when etc...

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YummyHorses

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Bit of background - I have two horses on full livery and showjump competitively, daughter has got the bug and is currently having lessons at our local riding school twice a week but is keen to up it to three. Its becoming really expensive .............. so feel its time to take that big step towards buying her a pony.

Whilst I have had horses for a while they are of the pampered variety if you know what I mean so I am not sure what level of roughing it (!) ponies can take.

I was thinking of fencing off a few acres of one of the fields and putting in a nice big shelter come stable and then planning on 24/7 live out, only stabling in really awfull weather. Is this okay? What else do I need to consider? Is there anything to watch out for when buying that first pony? Additional care to think about other than the obvious.

Just trying to learn from others experiences I guess..... its a big thing for our daughter (and us!) and its such a wonderful life moment I really want to get it right for her.

Thanks so much.
 
YummyHorses said:
I was thinking of fencing off a few acres of one of the fields and putting in a nice big shelter come stable and then planning on 24/7 live out, only stabling in really awfull weather. Is this okay?
Thanks so much.
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I can't see why this would be a problem at all. Many people have their horses and ponies out 24/7/365 and there is no reason why your pony couldn't too!

I don't have any experience of "first ponies" because I only came into riding at 13 and by then the whole "first pony" thing is very different so I can't really offer advice!
 
sounds fab, though it will depend on if the pony has any health issues such as lami or arthritic changes - then you might need to stable at night during colder weather or electric fence off a smaller grazing area. Might also want to stable if you clip pony out during winter. Would the pony have company? Add that to the set up you have in mind and all sounds grand! Any pony would be lucky, esp that you are thinking about it so much first.
 
Yes, that set-up would be fine for a pony (or any horse for that matter!). I have eventers and they live out 24/7 (clipped and rugged in the winter). We have got stables but I leave the dors open and they can choose to come or go as they please (99% of the time they wont use them!) and it works really well. I'm an anti-stable girl though, but I find that they really do prefer it and there performance is better. (sorry, a bit off topic!) . Basically with good paddock maintence your pony will be very happy and healthy outside.

Have you thought about a companion for your pony? As they will prefer company in the field.

We are currently looking for a first pony for my niece and it is a bit of a minefield. We need something really docile as niece is quite nervous but I tend to be tuned out of ads that say 'second pony' (as usually too 'spirited'!!) or is too old (can have health problems) or too young (not experienced enough for niece).

I hope you find your daughter her perfect pony!
 
Yep, most ponies will be quite happy with this set up, especially if that is what they have been used too. As your best bet is a pony which is all or mostly native then this would be ideal for them anyway. Best advice I can give is to ask around - good first ponies tend to be passed on so it is well worth contacting local Pony Clubs for example and generally spreading the word around amongst the horsey crowd.
 
camilla4 said:
Yep, most ponies will be quite happy with this set up, especially if that is what they have been used too. As your best bet is a pony which is all or mostly native then this would be ideal for them anyway. Best advice I can give is to ask around - good first ponies tend to be passed on so it is well worth contacting local Pony Clubs for example and generally spreading the word around amongst the horsey crowd.
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Ohh, yes, PC website do have a good lot of kiddies ponies on.
 
Thanks everyone, really appreciate your comments, some really good ones.

Cant wait to get started. The fields need sorting out but shouldnt take long so once done I will start looking for the field shelter/stable etc. My daughter has a really good seat so hoping she will want to compete as well. Best of all she just loves it and if she gets half the enjoyment I do from just being around and riding horses then she will be a very happy girl!

I do need to think about the companion option - will be getting my two home at some point (after the barn is erected, walker installed and outdoor school put in so probably in a million years time!) which would be good but need an interim option.

What else can ponies live with? Would a donkey work?

Thanks again.
 
a little mini shetland would be nice as a companion, they're effortless to keep and the only thing you need to be careful of is laminitis, but then you have to watch for that in all ponies.
One of mine had sheep as companions. Donkeys are okay too, but I'd rather have a mini shetland as they're cheaper to buy, cheaper to keep and they don't ruin fencing like donkeys do.
 
if I remember rightly donkeys aren't always the best companions to horses. I think they are more sensitive to grass sugars so can need more restricted grazing, they can sometimes struggle with wetter ground too. I also believe that donkeys more commonly carry lungworm, so grazing them together could increase the chances of them being transmitted to the pony. If I were after a companion I would look at WHW, Blue cross etc and take on a companion from them. I think the blue cross also cover some vet costs with their companion re-homing so would limit the extra bills with taking on another pony. Loads of luck, what an exciting time!
 
We bought our first (and second) last November. My advice (if you're looking to encourage daughter to play a big part in looking after too) is to go for a native = easier - less rugging, feeding etc (also less plaiting for shows!). and to ensure if you have a companion to get a similar type. We have a NF as main pony and a 20 year old arab x show pony (semi retired) as companion. The issues come with feeding - NF is greedy guts and lives on grass and fresh air, the arab x eats so slowly is generally a poor do-er and needs suppliments. Consequently much of daughters time is shunting them back and forth separately for feeding time to ensure the arab x eats enough (NF happy with hay to keep him occupied meantime) and rugging /unrugging/fly rugging the arab x. We also have to watch grass intake for the NF but ensure the arab x who eats at 1/3 the speed (I timed a hay net) gets enough, but I think we have this to a T 6 months on, got a lovely compliment from arab x past owner and family about the pair of them.

Both live out 24/7, the NF only wore a rug in the snow, but we have a lovely Redmire field shelter in the fields which has an (optional) gate so can be shut in, plus 1 stable on the yard itself which is handy to pop the other one in for farrier visits etc.

With regard to the actual pony, I would say the singular most important factor for a pony to be handled by a child is stable manners. Said pony must be able to have feet picked out, be tacked up, washed, groomed without getting impatient, fly cream applied to tender parts etc etc. Do make sure that whatever you buy is 100% safe to be handled by not only your child but any friend they might bring home from school to groom/pet said pony, or who might attempt to tack up less competently than your daughter. We are blessed with 2 saints in this repsect, they love being handled! Other than that, I'd agree look via local PC and personal recommendation. You may also find the companion via the same route perhaps a retired/semi retired or loan.
 
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