owning a pony

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My 5yr old has been riding since Nov 14. Hes riding every week, will be doing pony days during Easter holidays, joining the pony club and generally pony/horse mad. We have been planning for the eventuality that he may ask/want a pony of his own, researching all associated costs. We thought that it would be in two or three years.

Long story short, how young is too young to have your first pony?

When the possibility of him having his own pony has come up in conversation with both horsey and non horsey friends I've have some mixed reactions when I've said we would consider sooner for the right pony-including one who said we were mad to think a 5 yr old should have his own pony, and we should expose him to lots and lots more hobbies.

My personal feeling is, yes it would be earlier than planned, but if this is the hobby he loves then at some point we have to decide to go whole hog,id rather spend time and money on a passion/hobby he loves than waste money on things he doesn't enjoy to the same degree

Am trying to be organised, rational and sensible about making plans but starting to be mad to feel that am stupid for seriously considering buying a child a pony!
 
I've known a 2yr old girl who had her own pony, she was expected (within her capabilities ) to groom feed and do whatever was needed for the pony and as far as I know 7yrs later is still horse mad though I think having parents whose lives revolve around horses helps.
 
If the right sort presents itself go for it but don't go actively looking until he's about 7. My friend bought her daughters first pony when she was still pregnant and she was riding in a basket saddle before she could walk. She was lucky and the daughter still rides at 23 and has never taken a break. On the other hand I have plenty of friend with under used ponies and children who have lost interest; boys especially.
 
I wasn't allowed one until i could look after it myself and proove i was commited to it. I used to have rides on my mums pony when she had one and lessons at riding school i got my own when i was 10. I mucked out before and after school my mum had to give me lifts up the yard but never got involved in the care apart from when i went to uni so i could keep my horse. I have never had a break from riding and am now 28. I knew other kids with horses and for some reason the mum was always mucking them out and they had seemingly lost interest. Mine would have been sold if i didn't take care of them myself. I wouldnt buy a pony for my kid unless they could look after it themselves personally.
 
both my son and daughter have had ponies from age 2, my son was a cracking little jockey but refused to do any of the day to say care and now at 11 is no longer interested in horses atall but my daughter who is almost 3 will (attemt to) scoop poop, bring in from field, fetch her hat and tack, pick feet, groom, feed and rides so I don't think age has anything to do with it tbh, i certainly don't think 5 is too young if hes genuinely serious and will do the hard work in winter not just ride in summer, I think speaking from experience though you should make them work for it and do their own yard/horse chores, if they are only interested in riding and expect you to do all the dirty work then it's best to stick to just riding lessons. Could you do a part or full loan before you fully comit yourself to buying?
 
I was allowed a horse when, and only when, I could get to the yard myself and contribute to costs. Although mum would accommodate a share if I could get there myself, so she could then pick and choose when she would be happy to pick me up 'as a treat'. I also had riding lessons and pony days for my whole young life.

As a result, I didn't get my first horse until I was 17, could drive and was working part time. Although did always have a part loan on the go before that.
 
I had a pony from very young, my mum was obviously heavily involved. I went before and after school, and helped muck out as soon as i was physically able to.

5 is not too young at all! As long as you know you will be doing 99% of the care for the foreseeable :)

Why expose him to other hobbies if he enjoys horses?
 
My daughter had her first pony last summer aged 3. She loved sitting and having a walk about on my horse and I felt it would be better for her to have something more sensible to plod about on! She's now just turned 4 and will be having some lessons this summer. She helps muck out, feed, tack up and groom. She can safely bring the pony in from the field (with me holding the headcollar at the other side, she doesn't know that though!) Pony is specifically lead-rein and she will be getting a first ridden pony as soon as she is competent enough. Current lead-rein pony is very stubborn and used to being led only and isn't safe enough to be off lead-rein. My daughter can do a bouncy trot, loves to canter and can sit the pony's occasional buck. She also loves to jump over the upturned sheep troughs. If it's what your son wants to do then why not? Or just loan or part-loan to see if he's keen.
 
My 4 year old has her own pony, however he is also a companion to my horse and kept at home. She doesn't do much with him in winter. No reason not to if you can afford the time and money and can find somewhere suitable to keep it. IMO a 4 year olds pony needs lots of turnout as won't get much exercise. Alternatively a share or working livery?
 
My eldest son had a pony when he was 3. He is now 19 and we still have the pony who is basically a pet. I was then under no illusion about the fact that this was all for me. He loved and still loves the pony. But he certainly wasn't expected to care for him. I was working quite long hours at the time, pony was in livery along with my horse, but I do cherish the memories of long walks up the bridlepath looking for tigers (they live in fox holes don't you know!), and along the lane to the park. If you want to buy a pony, do, but don't commit him to having to do everything or the fun will soon go. Good luck. xx
 
My son's first word was Benji, the name of my pony. I got fed up when I couldn't ride him any more at weekends as he always wanted to ride so I got him a pony on loan when he was 4. We had Poppy for a year until she became ill and then purchased April for him. He poo picks, catches her etc himself and takes her into child handler classes and attends PC. I don't force him to do anything but he wants to do it!
 
Thank you all for your views, it really helps to get balanced opinions.

I am kind of in the middle ground regarding care, I would aim for him to be involved, and indeed expect That he is participating but equally am happy and aware that I would do the lions share. I don't want to take the joy of ownership/riding from him by overloading him with responsibility. When we've discussed it I've been very clear that like the pets we already own he'd be helping out, but as already, Id do the majority. My other half, while hes pro pony is very clear he doesn't want to be the one that ends up caring, so I know it'll be me that bares the brunt of the care.

I am planning to do a stable management course at one of my local riding schools to help make sure I am ready too- its a long time since I loaned my pony! we are fortunate the yard he rides at are very experienced and very helpful.

So next question I have that I want to get clear in my head ... Do you go for tried and tested experienced plod everytime or pony personality?
 
Mine had ponies as soon as they could sit and hold on, but then we keep ours at home and I have always had horses.

Only you would know if your son would be keen enough to want to ride and look after his own.

My advice would be to buy the best you can afford, a proper schoolmaster, doesn't matter what it looks like or how old it is, but it must know its job.
 
Hes definitely keen.

I think I've been feeling steamrollered by friends opinions, and its made me feel stupid and unsure of my instinct/gut feeling that this would be a really positive thing for him. Daft as I realise it may sound, looking at peoples replies on here helps me to feel a bit more confident about the considerations and both the positive/negative sides to owning at his age.

Its interesting you say it doesn't matter how old the pony is LJR as when I've looked I've seen quite a few 5/6year olds advertised as first riddens and opinions on some sites seems to be that a young pony is not suitable for a Childs first. He hankers over his current regular mount, but I very much doubt the school would sell him as he's a firm favourite lol , I know though that he would be thrilled with a pony of his own to lov and look after regardless of how it looks.
 
I was lucky up to last summer as my son (now 3.5yrs) had my very first pony who was a good old age but was safe as houses, brilliant for him to learn on (he was riding him since he could sit upright). Sadly we lost him last summer so I ended up buying him his own pony 3 months ago. We didnt need another for any purpose really other than for my son. Because its been winter, all they've done is be led around the field and down the road a little, they did their first SJ event a few weeks ago successfully. He enjoys riding but I wouldn't say he is mad for it, he does it in the same regard he does any other hobby / activity but I think its good for him to learn the responsibility involved in looking after her and I think he'll really get into it when he sees others kids riding when he joins Pony Club. I figured it wasn't a big deal buying him a pony, if he doesn't stay interested then long term she will be a handy companion or she's young enough that I guess we can sell her if we really need to (although I'm very fond of her). Nice lead-rein type ponies are pretty easy to sell I believe if you had to.

I dont think there's a minimum age a child should have a pony. I didnt get my first pony until I was 9 but I didnt come from a horsey family, my son does ;)
 
We have 2, One I had from a 2yr old. Daughter was super keen, had a bad fall then went off it - pony went on loan. She decided she wanted to try again so we got another......and sods law pony a came back from loan. We are very lucky in that the YO neice rides pony A and a friend of our daughters rides pony B. She has pick and chose. I admit I am not fussed about her doing it all herself as I cant ride any more so its OUR thing together.
Son has also started Riding now at age 3. We only go up 4 days a week, and I only take teh 3yr old up once a week as I don't want to subject the other liveries to him, haha. BUt he will lead Pony B as he is 20 and very slow.
Winter was a struggle as kids + the cold and wet = MAJOR grumping.

By the sounds of it your wee boy is mental keen, so I would think about a share, or getting a pony. Though we are considering working live for pony A, so that DD can ride him at the Pony Club there.
 
Daughter has had her own pony from 18 months. She's on her third now at nearly 7. She has plenty of interests but ponies are best.

Get a saintly proven child's pony and do not be swayed from that whatever anyone tells you.
 
All the little kids ive known who actively rode where on really good ponies that probably cost a bomb. As a kid i had a pony that spent all its time chucking me off. While other kids were in the ribbons jumping i was stuggling to get a canter without being dumped! it didn't make me a better rider all it taught me was how it feels to bounce off my head from various angles and break bones! If you are going to do it definetly invest in a proper well behaved kids pony.
 
huskydamage said:
All the little kids ive known who actively rode where on really good ponies that probably cost a bomb. As a kid i had a pony that spent all its time chucking me off. While other kids were in the ribbons jumping i was stuggling to get a canter without being dumped! it didn't make me a better rider all it taught me was how it feels to bounce off my head from various angles and break bones! If you are going to do it definetly invest in a proper well behaved kids pony.
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Agree totally, although mine haven't cost a bomb they have all been good child's ponies. The one we broke ourselves was a total s o d for a time when daughter first went off the lead rein and it was not a pleasant experience for any of us. He's a great kids pony now, but only because she "made" him with many many horrible falls. I certainly wouldn't be saying it made her a better rider. It made her scared at the time and it's only because I have persisted and sorted the pony out, that she didn't get put off for life. Her current and future ponies are all saintly and she enjoys her riding.
 
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With young children my advice would never buy a pony they can grow in to. My eldest daughter was on her 11.2 till she was twelve and hunted him.
If you buy the best pony/loan you can find that has been in a family for a few years, with a track record that you can check you may pay a bit more but the chances are that they will have fun together fairly soon.
Children are small for such a short time and to them time seems forever, so if the have a naughty pony to them they can not understand that eventually, if they are not put off, they will get it.
There is nothing wrong buying a calm five year old, but expect your child to teach it nothing. I have bought ponies at three and produced them myself for PC, the but you have to be smarter than them, remember that you have to be the brains for the child and never put the child in a situation where it physically and mentally can not cope. All of this takes time and preparation.
Believe me it's very frustrating selling a good quiet young pony that you know with experience will become a schoolmaster, I virtually gave one away last year to an experienced home. About a month later he was out at shows handled/ridden by a child winning, but they had put the work in at home.
 
I wouldn't listen to other people. You know if your son would like a pony so I wouldn't listen to other parents. Why does a child need loads of hobbies anyway my main hobby growing up was horse riding and i never gave it up. I gave up on swimming and taekwondo and no other sports interested me. I do think though if i had been introduced to racing cars younger I would have done that too. Why are my hobbies expensive?!

Look for a loan pony first perhaps just to be sure he will be ok.
 
I don't know if anyone has suggested this already, but when you start looking it might be worth contacting your local PC as they may well know of someone with a pony for sale/ loan that would be suitable.
 
In my experience, children from non-horsey backgrounds that are obsessed with ponies are obsessed for life :)

I think it is a great idea. It will teach your child so much about responsibility, patience, hard work and will be a sport that will keep them active and fit. Far better to have a pony mad teenager that won't have time to get themselves into trouble as they will be too busy playing with the ponies :)
 
Animals teach children so much so any animal is better than none. Birth death sickness responsibility trust love and commitment all come with loving animals. Too much flitting about now a days for me so as long as you are happy to do everything for him then a pony is the best thing a boy can have. A dog comes a very close second
 
My Grandson had a pony from the day he was born! Now he is 3 and they have an amazing relationship, he can happily go and catch the hard-to-catch (according to previous owners) pony, leads her, feeds and brushes her and happily rides both bareback and with a saddle.. obviously with Mum leading. One of his first words was also his pony's name, Millie.

The 'right' pony is very hard to find and if you come across one I would be inclined to snap it up fast.
 
My son has had his pony since he was two as it turned out I did nt have time for two big horses and needed a companion for my mare when I sold my second horse. Fast forward nearly six years and we still have pony who us now coming 16. He describes her as 'his pal' and will not let me swap her for something more likely to win him prizes. We can hack together now and rode out today for a good two hours.

But I have never forced him to do chores, he will happily do whatever is asked and they live at home so it's easy, but I think physically it's too much to ask a seven year old to do twice a day. If he thought keeping her was dependent on him doing everything he would get on with it without doubt but as his mum I want him sleeping I the mornings before school not sleep deprived as I get him up to muck out.

I also think having other interests is important so he swims, does a martial art and plays an instrument. Thus sounds a lot but in reality is just a few hours a week and enables me to know he isn't being forced into a sport I love.

I'd say buy the pony but be prepared to look after it or sell it if he isn't interested.
 
elsielouise said:
My son has had his pony since he was two as it turned out I did nt have time for two big horses and needed a companion for my mare when I sold my second horse. Fast forward nearly six years and we still have pony who us now coming 16. He describes her as 'his pal' and will not let me swap her for something more likely to win him prizes. We can hack together now and rode out today for a good two hours.

But I have never forced him to do chores, he will happily do whatever is asked and they live at home so it's easy, but I think physically it's too much to ask a seven year old to do twice a day. If he thought keeping her was dependent on him doing everything he would get on with it without doubt but as his mum I want him sleeping I the mornings before school not sleep deprived as I get him up to muck out.

I also think having other interests is important so he swims, does a martial art and plays an instrument. Thus sounds a lot but in reality is just a few hours a week and enables me to know he isn't being forced into a sport I love.

I'd say buy the pony but be prepared to look after it or sell it if he isn't interested.

Btw I bought a lead rein with some first ridden experience as knew I wanted to not change ponies. She isnt the easiest first ridden as can be a bit strong but she won't buck, rear or run off with him. I also paid a reasonable price. She is a safe pony so worth every penny.
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Eta sorry full of grammatical errors iPad not assisting.
 
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