Only have room for 2 ponies, but have 3 daughters...

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billylula

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13 year old has a 14.2. 10 year old and 6 year old used to share a 11.2 loan pony. Loan pony has gone back to owners as they are moving away so we need to buy a pony for them to share. 10 year old loves sj and is starting to get a feel for jumping and wants to do a few competitions, 6 year old is a terrible rider really but loves to go fast and jump :-/

Have seen a really sweet 12.2, quite ploddy but does jump, very pretty. Would be perfect for 6 year old. Or do I get a 13.2 for the (small) 10year old which might be too much for the 6 year old??

Argh wish we had more room!!!
 
Ooh thats a tough one, dont envy you atall! If the youngest isnt such a great rider maybe you should cater more for the older one and jusy keep the youngest on a lead rein? Or mabe get a tiny shettie that will live out?
 
I would buy the 12.2 Think max age for jockeys sj on 12.2hds is 12 .

Then after 2 years she could move onto the 14.2 ? Still leaving your then 8 year old, with another 4 years left on the pony.
 
Our ponies live out, paddock is small, only 1.5 acres hence no more than 2! 6 year old isawful rider but mad keen and really wants to join in
 
I'd cater to the middle child, and go for something a bit bigger if your little one is gutsy enough not to mind. The older child can then be amongst her peers a bit more, and the younger one can ride as and when- and 13.2hh feels much faster than 12.2hh anyway :D
 
Mmm tricky. Can the middle one go on the 14.2 from time to time? If so get the 12.2. Or can you find a saintly 13.2 that would suit both the 10 & 6 yo. Kids grow so quickly, your 13 yo will be onto horses before you know it and the 10 YO will be on the 14.2
 
I think you could easily find a 13-13.2 pony to suit both 6and 10 year old quite often ponies can ajust to different riders. Its just a matter of not rushin it and waiting for the right pony to come along.
I wouldnt get a 12.2 though TBHas before you know it even the 6 year old will have outgrown it, if you get a 13.2 could possibly not be outgrown for 7 years.
 
My sister and I always had to share, first our ponies then horses, we just had superfit ponies and horse who got worked every day as we alternated who rode! My youngest sister was 10yrs younger than us so she always had her own pony!

A bit bigger pony that will last them longer is a good idea, it is so sad when children outgrow a pony and have to pass it on just as they have built up a partnership.
 
I'd say 2 ponies is fine. My daughters have pretty much always shared. Now, with the eldest @ uni and 16yo sharing my horse, the 2 youngest have a pony each and we could probably do with another rider (or two) as the ponies aren't worked enough.

In your position, I'd look at a 13h or 13.2 pony who can compete with your 10yo and do more low key stuff with the 6yo. Ideally one that has been a a family pony, and is used to riders of different sizes. Our and 13h NF and (much more forward going) 13.2 welsh have been ridden by my girls since they were tiny. Both ponies seem to adapt to their riders pretty well going up or down a gear as needed, depending on who is on board.
 
Don't make the poor middle child lose out because of the youngest one :( Middle children always get worst deal!

Either get the two older kids to share the 14.2, or get a 13.2 upwards for the middle child which the younger one can sit on every so often. Or make all three children share the two.

Getting a 12.2hh plod isn't really ideal because the middle kid will lose out, and it's easier for the younger one to get by on a bigger horse if all she wants to do is sit on and go fast.
 
helenalbert said:
Don't make the poor middle child lose out because of the youngest one :( Middle children always get worst deal!

Either get the two older kids to share the 14.2, or get a 13.2 upwards for the middle child which the younger one can sit on every so often. Or make all three children share the two.

Getting a 12.2hh plod isn't really ideal because the middle kid will lose out, and it's easier for the younger one to get by on a bigger horse if all she wants to do is sit on and go fast.
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I would agree with this, it is unfair to make a 10 year old cater to a 6 year old. I would get a pony suitable for the 10 year old's ability and then explain to the 6 year old that when she is older you will do the same. Can the 6 year old not have more lessons to help them with their riding? Especially if they are so keen?
 
I'd get a 13.2 family pony and could you not get the 6year old lessons at a RS so she would be more confident to go off lead rein on 13.2?
 
With careful management you could run three ponies on your acreage. But once the two younger children are on bigger ponies you might have to find extra grazing - or move house for bigger land.
 
I'd get a decent 13.2hh ad get the youger one some lessons to improve her riding. I'm sure she will be fine on a bigger pony and your middle daughter will have a pony big enough to compete on.
 
billylula said:
13 year old has a 14.2. 10 year old and 6 year old used to share a 11.2 loan pony. Loan pony has gone back to owners as they are moving away so we need to buy a pony for them to share. 10 year old loves sj and is starting to get a feel for jumping and wants to do a few competitions, 6 year old is a terrible rider really but loves to go fast and jump :-/

Have seen a really sweet 12.2, quite ploddy but does jump, very pretty. Would be perfect for 6 year old. Or do I get a 13.2 for the (small) 10year old which might be too much for the 6 year old??

Argh wish we had more room!!!
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Buy the nicest pony you can find. Try both you children on it & see which one fits. Then get the one that it doesn't fit adopted, which ever is the quickest ........job sorted!!! ;)
 
Sounds like highly irresponsible parenting - didn't you think of the acreage before deciding to have a third child?

Agree with those that say that the youngest girl will cope ok with a bigger pony, especially if she is brave. My 3 year old rides a 13hh pony and he manages to sit on comfortably enough. Maybe look for a narrow sort.

I expect if you really want all 3 to have a pony that you could manage 3 on 1.5 acres while they are small ponies. But 2 between the 3 of them does actually sound reasonable, and good for learning to share! Otherwise is there a local Shetland or other pony you can borrow sometimes if all three do want to ride together?
 
Get a Newfie everyone has a ride then. From experience newfies will be good on lead rein and equally zoom a hunter trail aim for something 13hhish. My Newfie x knew how to walk and trot in the school with a little one on board and go hunting with no brakes, some horses just know when they have to behave.

That's what I would do, little un will soon be 5 and grown longer legs, my friends little girl was plonked on a 14hh as a toddler abs never had anything smaller and coped.
 
I just have to say I've been riding horses since I was 9. They were appropriate horses though, with a good mind and for the most part would let me do anything on them. So I think you may be over-thinking. Just find a suitable pony, no matter the size, and this way they will all be happy.
 
overthinking! Me! As if ;)

You are right of course, and actually what would be better would be to buy something for my 10 year old and get lessons for the 6 year old for a year. I can't pull 3 in the trailer anyway....!
 
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