Please help me buy a horse, I'm clueless!

Oh dear I'm even more stressed now!!

I think the plan is to keep the pony in the paddocks, there is a row of stables as well (used as storage at the moment but being cleared out). Currently there are a few sheep in the fields, is this ok to keep the pony company? I have read various things, some saying you need to keep a horse with other horses and some saying horses are fine with sheep/goats/etc. It's very confusing!

I will speak to the riding school at their next lesson to get more advice.

I'm reading at the moment about mucking out - something I imagine I will soon be doing a lot of! It mentions the muckheap, now this is going to sound very ignorant but do you just start out by making a pile somewhere of the muck or does it need a 'base' of some sort so as not to ruin the ground? How do you go about getting rid of it once you have a lot! (I'm sure this happens quickly!!)
 
NannySarah said:
Oh dear I'm even more stressed now!!

I think the plan is to keep the pony in the paddocks, there is a row of stables as well (used as storage at the moment but being cleared out). Currently there are a few sheep in the fields, is this ok to keep the pony company? I have read various things, some saying you need to keep a horse with other horses and some saying horses are fine with sheep/goats/etc. It's very confusing!

I will speak to the riding school at their next lesson to get more advice.

I'm reading at the moment about mucking out - something I imagine I will soon be doing a lot of! It mentions the muckheap, now this is going to sound very ignorant but do you just start out by making a pile somewhere of the muck or does it need a 'base' of some sort so as not to ruin the ground? How do you go about getting rid of it once you have a lot! (I'm sure this happens quickly!!)
Click to expand...

DO NOT KEEP THE HORSE AT THE HOME ADDRESS WHERE YOU HAVE NO SUPPORT OR OTHER HORSES.

If you want advice, read back through the thread. This has already been mentioned plenty of times.
How would you recognize the signs of the horse being ill? lonely?
Please think this through properly.

Also, I've messaged you offering help, the fact you havn't bothered to reply is making me think you are possibly on a wind up.
 
Maybe get the mum to offer free livery to someone with similar age kids who are experienced, that way they get free livery in return for helping out and ensuring that the pony is well looked after and give you some support? And the pony some company. Ask the RS about ponies, and whether their instructors can continue lessons at home? If the boss is pushing so hard for this and you're an employee, I can see why you're stuck- maybe show her this post??
 
If this is not a wind up, then will you please keep us informed as to how your getting on, if for nothing more that the sheer ammount of laughs this will encounter (and also to make sure the pony wont die)
 
OP if you're going to be taking care of the pony then you need a few lessons on how to handle one and how to carry out basic first aid procedures. Also buy a copy of The Manual Of Horsemanship and read it. You will need the phone number of a local equine vet.

Before the pony arrives you can buy mucking out tools, a grooming kit and an equine first aid kit. After it arrives you can buy rugs (need to measure pony) and a saddler will be needed to fit a suitable saddle and bridle (or to check that the ones that came with the pony actually fit). You'll also need a headcollar and leadrope, plus travel equipment if it is to go anywhere in horsebox or trailer.

Buy an older pony with a quiet, laid-back temperament. It's better to have a pony that needs encouragement to move than one you can't stop. Remember that hairy legs, beards and manes etc can be trimmed neat if owners are picky about looks. Something that looks like a mini racehorse with its eyes out on stalks as it prances around, is not a good choice for a novice first time owner, however pretty it may be.

See it ridden at walk, trot and canter in an arena and over jumps, plus on the road, before letting your employers children ride it. If all goes well have it vetted (by your vet, not the sellers vet) to ensure as much as is possible that the pony is not sick, lame or drugged.

Find out from the old owners if it has any current health problems and how they are managed, when it was last shod or trimmed, what food it currently eats and in what quantities, how much work it currently gets, when it was last wormed, when its teeth were last rasped, and when the vaccinations are due.

Good luck!
 
Ok i would do as follows:

1) stable the pony on full livery at a knowledgable stables and somewhere where the children can continue their lessons.
2) Find someone to try the pony out for you maybe their riding instructor?
3)Ask said riding instructor for advice about what you need to look for.
 
good lord, i worked as an au pair/mothers help and there is no way on this earth i would have wanted the responsibility of sourcing and buying a pony for my employers children!! the first time something goes wrong you're going to be in the firing line, i'd start looking for another job now and save yourself the hassle!
 
This makes me really sad.

There are two options:

1. Get knowledgeable help and keep in FULL livery at a proper equestrian facility

2. Dont get a pony and point out to your boss that if they go through with this there is a potential welfare/child safety issue going on.

Ponies are not playthings!!!!!
 
OP if the owners are determined to keep this pony at home then quizz the sellers on whether pony has lived alone before, if it copes when all others are out on a ride and its left alone, if its ok to be the only one stabled at night etc. Some ponies cope with these things and others don't. Sheep for company is better than nothing. You'll also need to make sure the pony hacks out alone if there is nobody else for the children to ride with.

You don't need a base for the muck heap. You can ask local livery yards or riding schools who takes their muck away, then phone those people to see if they want you to put the muck in a trailer or skip rather than on the floor.
 
I think this is job for Dragon Driving ..lots of nice young experienced horses and very cheap so it won't matter if they **** up the first one. :D
I've seen lots of adverts on there recently. Three year olds which can be handled or ridden by a child and lots of lovely long mane tail and feathers to groom and fuss over. Such fun :D
 
This is possibly one of the worst things I've read on here...

If this is a genuine post, then firstly I feel extremely sorry for you. Secondly, this 'mother' sounds like one of the most irresponsible/ clueless people I've ever heard of.

Like others have said.. please please try and talk these idiots (sorry, people) out of keeping the pony at home. Explain that they are herd animals and that the many ponies will not cope on their own, which has the potential for them to become dangerous. Even if you find a pony that is used to being on its own, you cannot possibly manage to look after it without some help. Horses/ ponies are a HUGE responsibility and there is a massive amount of knowledge required. I've had horses for about 12 years, and I'm still learning new things all the time.

If i were you I would try and persuade them to get the pony on full or part livery, then at least you stand half a chance of learning what you're supposed to be doing. Perhaps see if this is something the current riding school could offer?

Also, like others have said... please please take a riding instructor with you to view a pony, there are SO many people that will try and sell you something unsuitable, particualrly in the current climate.
 
She's probably putting the little rascals to bed, having presented them to the parents, and then given them their tea.

That vid is excellent !! Don't forget that mounting shouldn't be a problem - they can float onbard via a brolly
 
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