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

Well if all this is true then wow... what a situation to be in...

A freelance/mobile groom would be far preferable to you muddling through with books and google, but starting at the riding school would be ideal even if it is just to start with while you learn. Maybe they would even loan a pony out at the premises as a trial run for you?

You REALLY need to talk to people at the riding school and get them to guide you, buying horses is a minefield for even very experienced people!

I would say see if the parents have 'pony club mum' friends but they might well be as clueless as each other, still at least they might be able to learn from each other's mistakes...

Remind them their children's safety is at stake if the pony gets naughty or worse gets sick/injured.
 
littlelegs said:
Ok Mary trollins, firstly you need two ponies. Secondly, enough land. And for whoever thinks it will be fine as long as they get a freelance groom & instructor into help, are you mad, gullible, or have zero experience of how easy it is to con a first time buyer? If it must be done, full livery & someone else buying it is the only way. Although I really think this has to be a troll.
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That was a little rude. I am none of those things. Sometimes some horse owners think the only point of entry into horses is years of smelling like one. It isn't. You can buy your way in and many people do. That was my point only. If you haven't experienced this then maybe you are the naive one?
 
Nannysarah, just relax chick, I can't believe some of the comments this has received. There really is no need for everyone's hysteria. Perhaps you should talk to some of the parents of the children 'your' children are friends with, they''ll probably point you in the right direction. I think the fact you've tried to seek advice shows your not going to be the next RSPCA case, you sound as if you care. Yes there are unscrupulous dealers about that would sell you a galloping
night mare, but most people are genuine. Get in touch with the Welsh pony and cob society I'm sure they'd be only to happy to help with sourcing something suitable. Ponies are fine kept with sheep, or anything else that lives in a herd or a flock, one of our stallions used to have bantoms roost on his back all night! You say they've got stables so there's it's shelter, and where you live, is it remote, or in a village? In my experience, you find horses attract people, mainly young girls who are full of love and knowledge and more than happy to lend a hand. You don't need lots of different gizmos and gadgets. Buy one that comes with tack and rugs etc and that's half your battle, go native, my personal favorite being the Welsh pony and cob, get something that's in it's late teens early twenties and I'm sure you'll learn very quickly, let's face it horses and ponies are not exotic pets, if you've got grazing, about an acre per pony, shelter, clean water and a bit of company everything will be fine and if you all get bitten by the 'equinius bugius' pony won't be on his own for long !!!!
It wasn't that long ago everyone had horses, it's not rocket science like some would have you believe! Where are you based anyway chick, regardless of where you are , you can always contact me if you want, looking at ponies is a favorite pass time of mine! Well you take care and just breathe deeply and enjoy the thought of your new arrival! xxx
 
Dear Nanny Sarah. If your situation is real, go and get yourself an employer who doesn't behave like an obnoxious tyrant. You are placing yourself and the children in a very dangerous situation. Not professional to collude with parent/s who are behaving like the spoilt brats their children may be in danger of becoming. You sound a determined and energetic woman: if your qualifications and relevent documents are in order, you will be snapped up.
If this is a not-real post - have you thought of learning to knit? Just as time consuming and less annoying for others. Apart from the irritating clack clacking of the needles . . .
 
OP, good for you trying to learn. It sounds like you have the boss from hell. To all those saying quit, that just means the next nanny will be taking this on, and might not have the sense to ask for help, so I say we make the most of this and help any way we can by giving advice.

As has been said, ask the riding school for help. Most also do 'own a pony' days, so for the next few weekends, you plus all three children spend a whole day at least once a week learning about horse care. Get the riding school to help you find a pony, for a fee, and suggest to the parents that it lives at the school for the first few weeks, which at least gives you a breathing space, on the basis that the children can have a few lessons on it to get used to it. Good luck - you will get some excellent advice here, so ignore the shouts of troll!
 
Sam eltringham said:
Nannysarah, just relax chick, I can't believe some of the comments this has received. There really is no need for everyone's hysteria. Perhaps you should talk to some of the parents of the children 'your' children are friends with, they''ll probably point you in the right direction. I think the fact you've tried to seek advice shows your not going to be the next RSPCA case, you sound as if you care. Yes there are unscrupulous dealers about that would sell you a galloping
night mare, but most people are genuine. Get in touch with the Welsh pony and cob society I'm sure they'd be only to happy to help with sourcing something suitable. Ponies are fine kept with sheep, or anything else that lives in a herd or a flock, one of our stallions used to have bantoms roost on his back all night! You say they've got stables so there's it's shelter, and where you live, is it remote, or in a village? In my experience, you find horses attract people, mainly young girls who are full of love and knowledge and more than happy to lend a hand. You don't need lots of different gizmos and gadgets. Buy one that comes with tack and rugs etc and that's half your battle, go native, my personal favorite being the Welsh pony and cob, get something that's in it's late teens early twenties and I'm sure you'll learn very quickly, let's face it horses and ponies are not exotic pets, if you've got grazing, about an acre per pony, shelter, clean water and a bit of company everything will be fine and if you all get bitten by the 'equinius bugius' pony won't be on his own for long !!!!
It wasn't that long ago everyone had horses, it's not rocket science like some would have you believe! Where are you based anyway chick, regardless of where you are , you can always contact me if you want, looking at ponies is a favorite pass time of mine! Well you take care and just breathe deeply and enjoy the thought of your new arrival! xxx
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^^^ this - op. What a rotten position to find yourself in, shame on your employer but unfortunately jobs don't grow on trees in this climate but least your prepared to learn - another nanny may not have bothered.
 
Sam eltringham said:
, if you've got grazing, about an acre per pony, shelter, clean water and a bit of company everything will be fine a
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Sarah everything will NOT be fine. If you follow this advice the pony you buy will almost certainly develop a disease called laminitis some time next year, and that can actually make their feet drop off in extreme circumstances. Even under normal circumstances, with your lack of knowledge you will not spot the early signs, it will go acute "overnight" and it is an extremely painful and life threatening condition that ponies in particular are very prone to. Google it, and search on here, it's rife. That's just one of the many things that could go wrong.

"A bit of company" means a minimum of TWO ponies, by the way.

If you resign, you are clearly such a motivated person that your employers would be mad to accept your resignation and will most likely listen to you when you tell them that this is a bad idea.


It wasn't that long ago everyone had horses
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That's rather the point. Everyone had them, so everyone knew what they were doing and had lots of other people to call on if they needed help.
 
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chazza44 said:
Is the pony intended as an Xmas present? I bet it is - shame on you
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'Shame on you' for what??? For doing what her employers have asked her to do, for researching, coming on here to be slated by a load of people she thought would help her.
Op is in a rubbish situation and her employers are seriously overstepping the mark and I would put money on OP being young.
OP you have received some good advice on here, I would speak to the kids instructor and ask her/him to have a word with the parents or at least book you all in for a couple of 'own a pony days' so you will at least get a few of the basics.
 
Tbh elsielouise, I couldn't care less if you think I'm rude. The fact is a dishonest seller will see nanny mcphee coming if she doesn't have help before buying. She could strike lucky, or as horserider joked mummies checkbook might just up the price. Even without going to the extreme of beeston, it would be very easy to pass off a whizzy second pony as suitable, without doing anything illegal.
Thanks for your concern, but yes I have experienced both money & knowledge. There was a lot to be desired in terms of my upbringing, but the one thing I will say is my parents never let me have so much as a hamster, never mind the pony, without me knowing basic care. Money might well buy you support, but it makes unscrupulous sellers see you coming.
 
jrp204 said:
'Shame on you' for what??? For doing what her employers have asked her to do, for researching, coming on here to be slated by a load of people she thought would help her.
Op is in a rubbish situation and her employers are seriously overstepping the mark and I would put money on OP being young.
OP you have received some good advice on here, I would speak to the kids instructor and ask her/him to have a word with the parents or at least book you all in for a couple of 'own a pony days' so you will at least get a few of the basics.
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everyone is treating this 'nanny' like a kid... 'get someone else to speak to the parents' 'you're in an impossible position'

she's a grown woman for god's sake.
how about she just stands up for herself and says:

'sorry, i dont know nearly enough about horses to take on the task of sourcing, buying and looking after one that you are asking of me.
I dont feel nearly confident enough to take this on and want to risk injury to either myself, the pony or especially your children.
Its not in the contract we signed and if you really insist, i must politely decline and hand in my notice and seek employment with that nice family or arent p*** taking bullies round the corner'

why on earth this doesnt seem to be the simplest course of action for OP i have no idea.
 
At the end of the day you won't find enough information on here and the internet to be able to actually go and find the right pony, you will HAVE to get someone experienced to help you otherwise you've got no chance. Otherwise you'll think the first pony you see is great until you get it home...
 
lula said:
everyone is treating this 'nanny' like a kid... 'get someone else to speak to the parents' 'you're in an impossible position'

she's a grown woman for god's sake.
how about she just stands up for herself and says:

'sorry, i dont know nearly enough about horses to take on the task of sourcing, buying and looking after one that you are asking of me.
I dont feel nearly confident enough to take this on and want to risk injury to either myself, the pony or especially your children.
Its not in the contract we signed and if you really insist, i must politely decline and hand in my notice and seek employment with that nice family or arent p*** taking bullies round the corner'

why on earth this doesnt seem to be the simplest course of action for OP i have no idea.
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Quite.

I also agree with littleleg's swimming comparison a few pages back - it's exactly the same and OP really needs to 'grow a pair' by the sounds of it! Or stop trolling...:rolleyes:

ETA - Supernannybuyaponyexpialidocious is my favourite reply ever!
 
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Mmmmm, still don't know if this is a troll or mary poppins..

However, I agree with littlelegs on this one.

This situation will never be....supercalifragalistic....(sp)
 
Having had nannies ourselves when our children were younger, I call bull***** on this thread. Nannies have contracts which outline their duties, employers can't suddenly ask you to take on extra major tasks like looking after ponies. No nanny I have ever known would do something like this, any decent parent would not ask this from a nanny. Nannies are employed to look after children, not to be a groom.
In the unlikely event this is not a troll thread, I strongly advise you to resign. Yes, you will miss the children and the children will be upset but you're on a hiding to nowhere. Good nannies are like gold dust, believe me, we have interviewed dozens, if you're any good you'll have a new nanny job in no time, try North London.
 
littlelegs said:
Tbh elsielouise, I couldn't care less if you think I'm rude. The fact is a dishonest seller will see nanny mcphee coming if she doesn't have help before buying. She could strike lucky, or as horserider joked mummies checkbook might just up the price. Even without going to the extreme of beeston, it would be very easy to pass off a whizzy second pony as suitable, without doing anything illegal.
Thanks for your concern, but yes I have experienced both money & knowledge. There was a lot to be desired in terms of my upbringing, but the one thing I will say is my parents never let me have so much as a hamster, never mind the pony, without me knowing basic care. Money might well buy you support, but it makes unscrupulous sellers see you coming.
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Shame that parenting or otherwise didn't extend to teaching you or you acquiring, along with your money and knowledge - any manners.

Sorry OP/Troller/Mumsnetter/Genuine Nanny -Got a real life to get on with now....
 
Shame you didn't learn not to jump to the conclusion that anyone disagreeing with you must be rude. I don't think I actually was, I simply said if you chose to think I was I couldn't care less.
 
NannySarah said:
I think the plan is to keep the pony in the paddocks, there is a row of stables as well
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Tell your employers to hire someone to look after the pony/teach the kids to ride. In my younger days I almost got a job doing that when a family did a similar thing to their nanny/housekeeper. Fortunately (in that situation) the parent who'd decided to buy a pony lost interest a few months later.
 
I am now beginning to think troll, sorry.

How old are the children?

This has been asked many times, has not been answered, and is absolutely crucial to the discussion if it's a real one.
 
I am a nanny of 4 children and have a horse so I know exactly what her work load will be and if you don't enjoy horses you will resent your job. I have sent the op a pm but no reply! Could be a troll but for all the people who think no parent would ask this of their nanny you are wrong I have worked for these types of parents before. I have had lunatics and selfish idiots including one who when I returned from my friends funeral told me that the death of my friend had been a huge inconvenience to her schedule and that I should be putting her and her children's life before my own. She was met with a not so polite response and my notice. So do not think these parents are not out there! Good families are also like gold dust and I am lucky to have one now, who funnily enough have set me the task of finding a suitable breed of dog and breeder for their first puppy and I will be incharge of it's training haha luckily I have plenty of experience of dogs :)
Good luck op you have had lots of advice on here and you need to confront your boss with how much they are planning on dumping on you and either ask for a payrise and training or quit!
 
for anyone suggesting a livery yard..... do you honestly think the introduction to the horse world given on this thread is likely to encourage that ...really?
 
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