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

Havent read all the posts so this may already have been suggested but how about loaning or sharing a pony first before commiting to buy one? As has been said already, owning a horse.. even if it is the size of a large dog is a huge responsibility and commitment and definitely not something to rush into! I spend nearly a year searching for my first pony.. must have viewed at least 20 so its important not to go for the first one you see, or one with a cute face that may be unsuitable.
If you do buy, i agree that it should be kept on part or full livery.
I suggest you all read, research and actually get some hands on experience before even considering buying a pony!
 
I am shocked by this post. If real, OP I feel very sorry for the position you have been put in.
Unfortunately some parents with wallets bigger than they know what to so with think horses are just another buy to tell the other school mums they have!

If only looking after a horse was so easy. This could end in injury, to you, the children or the pony.

This is an idea that seriously has not been thought through and i cannot see it ending well.

The only thing I can suggest is speaking to the children's instructor for help and FULL LIVERY is a must!

The blind leading the blind comes to mind...
 
this is my new favourite thread and seems just about whack enough to be serious... I really hope it isn't (no offence OP) but if it is, I really commend you for coming on here and doing some research... If I had kids and money enough to employ a nanny, point 1 I wouldn't be letting you deal with the purchase of a horse for my children, but point 2 id be impressed with the way you are researching it...

I really have nothing other to add, but yeah, its my new fav thread :D
 
If this post is genuine- As a nanny you are not qualified to look after a pony, it is not in your job description and it is unfair to ask it of you. You cannot be fired, as this would be unfair dismissal.
Tell the 'Mother' that she needs to employ a groom.
Ponies take speacilist care, and require training throughout their lifetime so they are suitable for young children. Ponies are not like cars, and are clever enough to figure out if you can't drive, and even the best behaved pony can be naughty if they know they can get away with it. Along with feeding, general care, medical knowledge as well as plefora of other things you are walking into a minefield.

Worse case scenario- Your lack of knowledge means the pony becomes seriously ill.
- Your inexperience means that you buy an unsuitable pony which seriously injures/kills one of the children.
If your boss is that unreasonable then walk away. It might seem like an exaggeration- but if you end up in prison on charges of manslaughter because the pony killed a child?!
I would show you boss this post.
If they can afford a pony and a nanny they can afford to employ someone who would give the pony proper care.
 
Queenbee said:
this is my new favourite thread and seems just about whack enough to be serious... I really hope it isn't (no offence OP) but if it is, I really commend you for coming on here and doing some research... If I had kids and money enough to employ a nanny, point 1 I wouldn't be letting you deal with the purchase of a horse for my children, but point 2 id be impressed with the way you are researching it...

I really have nothing other to add, but yeah, its my new fav thread :D
Click to expand...

Mine too and totally agree with everything you have said here.

Ffion: probably putting the kids to bed!
 
Gosh if this is real I really feel for you OP, you've had some really good advice on this thread I suggest you reply to Elsie and take her up on the Offer of help- or post your rough location and someone else may be able to help you.

I kind of hope this is a troll post, and there is not some poor nanny beside herself worrying about having to look after a pony in the near future.
 
BlairandAzria said:
Gosh if this is real I really feel for you OP, you've had some really good advice on this thread I suggest you reply to Elsie and take her up on the Offer of help- or post your rough location and someone else may be able to help you.

I kind of hope this is a troll post, and there is not some poor nanny beside herself worrying about having to look after a pony in the near future.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly...
 
ask the girls instructor for help and advice-if you will lose your job for not finding and caring for a pony, then i am sure you will lose it if you get the wrong one and the kids get hurt
 
OK, assuming you aren't a troll here is what to do.

Tell mummy you have researched it. One pony will never work as all three need to ride at the same time. Explain how many tonnes of lovely smelly fly attracting manure will be heaped in their yard very quickly. Then tell them about the extra barn needed for storing hay and straw. There will of course be no point in having all this if they cant show them off so a nice 3 pony wagon is next on the shopping list. Explain that the best people dont have the nanny doing the horses, its so common. Suggest recruiting a groom who has worked for the top riders as the kids have so much potential. This groom must of course choose the ponies as they have to be potential HOYS winners.

See sorted, either she wont be able to afford it, or if she can then you are off the hook.
 
It's ok Fw, op has just gone to rewrite her fave children's songs so they all feature ponies.
'supernannybuyaponyexpialidocious, even though the thought of it is pretty damn atrocious'
'Feed, the pony, tuppence a bag'
'just a spoonful of sugar helps the wormer go down'
'chimchimeny, chimchimeny, buy a pony, mummys darlings are lucky, as lucky can be'
 
I'm wondering which of the following will happen first:
1) RSPCA inspection/animal neglect charges
or
2) one of the children dies.

On the upside, if the OP does get a pony, it will only take a week before the whole family realise this was a vast mistake.

OP - have you addressed who will be on site to manage the horse 24/7? You will need to make sure that the horse is checked AT LEAST twice a day, every single day with no days off EVER.
You'll need to know what to feed them and how to adjust the feed if the pony becomes too fizzy and starts bucking the children off even if it was totally lovely when you try it. Ponies can be doped when you try them, especially when they realise you are a complete novice. You'll need to do adequate first aid training to look after the children if the pony spooks and throws the children onto the floor, SO easy to do if its feeds are mismanaged and it is not getting enough work (too fresh) or had too much work (gets too fit).

IF the family buy a horse and keep it at home without constant supervision of an experienced horse person, then this WILL end in tragedy. IF they have the money to buy a horse then they have the money to put it in full livery and then as time goes on and you all learn how to look after the horse, you can then take small steps to moving it onto your own property.

IF your employers do not agree, then you should find a new job. You can end up being liable for damage or injuries that will be caused??
Even the most experiencd horsemen get it wrong, probably at least weekly! As a novei, I would expect you to get every single decision wrong for at least a year or two.
 
Floxie said:
I heart Queenbee for using the term 'whack' :D
Click to expand...

why thank you, It seemed so fitting. This week I am also using the terms 'super', as in 'super fun:D:D:D' and 'super difficult' and 'super boring' and the word epic... for anything of armageddon proportions, for instance running out of wine is an epic fail... or my pony cantering across the field to me makes me feel 'epic' possibly even 'super epic' :p;):D:D:D:D
 
littlelegs said:
It's ok Fw, op has just gone to rewrite her fave children's songs so they all feature ponies.
'supernannybuyaponyexpialidocious, even though the thought of it is pretty damn atrocious'
'Feed, the pony, tuppence a bag'
'just a spoonful of sugar helps the wormer go down'
'chimchimeny, chimchimeny, buy a pony, mummys darlings are lucky, as lucky can be'
Click to expand...


my absolute fav post of the day :D:D:D
 
OP welcome to the forum. There is a lot of good advice for you allready here from people who know a lot more than me.
Personally i think you have been put in a very difficult situation .
Its not a crime to not know anything about horses.
There are a huge amount of people out there who will "see you coming" and you could very easily end up with a dangerous or unsuitable pony. Evan the nicest of ponies can become very unpredicatable with a nervous or unconfident new owner.
the best advice I can give you is to go back to your boss and tell her you have no experience whatsoever and this alone could put her children in danger. If this risk has to be taken then the parents should take responsibility.
 
littlelegs said:
It's ok Fw, op has just gone to rewrite her fave children's songs so they all feature ponies.
'supernannybuyaponyexpialidocious, even though the thought of it is pretty damn atrocious'
'Feed, the pony, tuppence a bag'
'just a spoonful of sugar helps the wormer go down'
'chimchimeny, chimchimeny, buy a pony, mummys darlings are lucky, as lucky can be'
Click to expand...

Thanks, now I have 'spoonful of sugar' stuck in my head right before bed :(

OP, you need to get help, coping on your own will be too hard.
 
Hahahaha that video is amazing!!

'the barefoot forum says that nailing shoes to a horse's hooves is just as terrible as nailing jesus to the cross and i believe everything i read on the internet'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top