owning a pony

[Crugeran Celt]

I don't think 5 is too young but I would expect him to want to do the menial tasks as well. My son learnt to ride quite young but I always made it clear if he had his own he would have to muck out, brush ect. He realised very quickly that he did not want his own. He is the 17 now and has no interest in the horses at all. They are at home with me and he doesn't look at them. Have you thought of having one on loan as another issue is having to sell on when your son out grows the pony.

 

[sunnyone]

I'm with the others who say, if you are prepared to care for a pony then get one for your son. 5 year old children can barely put their own shoes on, but it doesn't mean they can't have a relationship with an animal. Sports are about learning new skills and having fun, consistently riding the same animal is one of the few activites where they can learn to care about another living creature too.

 

[Tabs34]

our closest pony clubs take members at 6 and 7 respectively so he cant join just yet, and unfortunately it doesn't appear that there are many kids ponies for share or loan locally at the moment- I am going to speak with the riding school and ask if they can keep him in mind if they hear of a suitable pony, be it buy or loan or share I think.

He was also doing go karting and has tried football, will soon be having swimming lessons(which incidentally see as a life skill), and wants to try archery and judo when hes old enough( which we are fine with and are happy for him to do), so we aren't restricting him from trying things he has an interest in,but we do make it clear that there is a financial limit to how many things can be supported and that it wont necessarily always be possible to keep up multiple hobbies. I dont buy in to current trend( round here anyway)that seems to be kids have to do everything, and that no commitment is required to anything- We've discussed the value of finding a hobby you love and sticking with it, not simply trying everything for the sake of it with little interest in it. I feel abit like other parents think we are weird for him not doing a plethora of clubs!

 

[Charmel]

My daughter was just 1 when she had her first pony and my second daughter was 3 but used her sisters pony as soon as she could walk. They are now 18 and 22 and ride everyday. Plus I still have that first pony....he is now 25 years old. They have always helped as much as they were able and have a great sense of responsibility that comes with having to take care of an animal from when they were young. I did offer other hobbies and my youngest plays rugby at club regional and country level. Just do it but be aware its a lot of work for you too....part loan if not sure. My daughters ponies are both on part loan now to young children whose parents don't want to commit to full time horse ownership.