Not sure what if im doing the right thing.

[Landcruiser]

I agree. Is it your daughter that wanted a pony, or did you want her to have one? I did this with my daughter - riding lessons, loan pony - and in the end I was "flogging a dead horse" as it turned out. She just didn't have the drive and the passion to put up with the hard slog, or the occasional tumble. I tried to accommodate her, but in the end I realised I was doing it for me, and my idea of being a mom and daughter horsy pair. Given the option, she chose to call it a day. She was about the same age as your daughter at the time, OP.

 

[SO1]

There is no guarantee that if you move to a yard with more kids that she will make friends. She will be the new girl and the others may already have friendship groups. If she ends up being excluded she may be even more miserable.

I would see if you can get the pony travelling join pony club do things like camp. If she makes friends there then you might be able to chose a yard where she has pony club friends already so less of a risk of going somewhere and not getting on. You also have to think of yourself and if you would get on with the other liveries and the situation yourself.

 

[asmp]

I agree. Is it your daughter that wanted a pony, or did you want her to have one? I did this with my daughter - riding lessons, loan pony - and in the end I was "flogging a dead horse" as it turned out. She just didn't have the drive and the passion to put up with the hard slog, or the occasional tumble. I tried to accommodate her, but in the end I realised I was doing it for me, and my idea of being a mom and daughter horsy pair. Given the option, she chose to call it a day. She was about the same age as your daughter at the time, OP.

Agree with this - I hadn’t owned a horse for some years and then, when daughter was old enough, bought her a pony so I could get involved again. She didn’t have the best behaved ponies and lost interest. I then decided the next one was going to be mine. (although he turned out to be rather good and daughter ended up taking him to PC and TREC and doing very well with him but that’s another story ).

Gist of my post is it’s probably best to do what makes You happy, and not just your daughter.

 

[Jenko109]

It doesn't matter if you move or not. Eventually the barrier of not being able to take the pony anywhere is going to get hit and you will be back to square one anyway.

To add, at that age, I was so ridiculously keen that I would spend hours alone with my pony, hacking, grooming, sun bathing in the paddock even.

Having a horsey friend to hack with and go to shows was amazing and I agree something needs to be done for her to have that BUT for her to be considering throwing the towel in, really is concerning.

 

[SEL]

Does she actually want a pony right now or would she be happier with time at the riding school? I used to spend my Saturdays "helping" along with a load of other young girls and it was great. We'd all have our lesson, spend time getting ponies ready for other lessons, riding them in / out to the fields etc. Educationally I absorbed horse care just by being there and socially had a day surrounded by other horsey girls. I was in a military family so own pony at that age wasn't an option because we moved every 3 years (outside the UK twice) but we did shares, own a pony days, fun days etc etc so we were totally absorbed in pony life

 

[lisamb83]

Just a update.
We have moved.
Its was the right decision.
Pony loaded and travelled well. Settled straight away with no issues at all. A little quiet for the first couple of days but soon perked up and is back to herself.
Already hacked out and walked around the school. Only in hand so far but she took it all in her stride and has been an angel.
No issues with children falling out at the moment and i dont think their will be. The children there have been nothing but helpful and kind and no point scoring....very lovely well mannered respectful kids.
We are taking it day by day and i can go back to the old place at anytime if needed.
My daughter loves to ride and loves her pony so much but she was lonely and i don't blame her for feeling a little bored to be honest.
She's very grateful for her pony and knows its a privilege to own one...I've never let her think it's not a privilege....
Thank you to everyone who replied...

 

[SantaVera]

Have you considered selling the pony and taking your daughter to the riding school more? Both for lessons and the social side. Or putting the pony on working livery there?