pony cob for children how bombproof safe should they be

[thinlizzy]

we got another pony cob this week for my child whos nine he came to stables a lot and i thought i can hack further and not have to share and had good things about this pony shes stocky enough for me to ride as well which i thinks a bonus not had her a week rode her myself in galeing wind flying bags etc and was happy she never spooked and it was quite bad so everything soso right, how far would you go to test pony for child busy roads, bridges , hacking with others etc im just planning hacking short hacks on bridlepaths and walking til further notice with my child but i will ride her a few weeks as well on roads, and test her any ideas ? thanks

 

[ElliePinza]

I live at an RDA centre so I am used to testing out 'bombproof' horses. We normally have a capable rider on them for the first week or so and do unpredictable exercises such as whirling arms around and whacking our riding hats. Although your child is probably past this stage in his riding(!) it does give you an idea as to how the horse will behave in exceptional circumstances.

We will also hack them out a few times before a rider does. Our hacking includes going over the M11 so we will follow another horse.

I find that you can normally get a gut instinct as to whether the horse/pony is safe or not though?

 

[starsnrunes]

I'd take her the routes you will be planning on doing regularly with the child, both alone and in company, as it'll give the pony a chance to have a good gawp, decided what scary and whats not, and it will also give you a chance to find out what she'll do if she does spook.

I'd also make sure she's ok in traffic, and with tractors. Also checking her breaks in open fields would be a good idea if you get a chance.

 

[thinlizzy]

thanks it was really as windy as you could get it when i rode her bags flying she was a1, along abridle path men coming out of trees etc my child is totally novice and i think would flap if felt not confident pony has come via a relative im going to take her on busy roads, shes ok with farm traffic as on farm ,mountain bikes etc so i suppose itll take a few weeks to do open fields, fast work in company etc,,im going to take her over some busy motorway bridges under dark tunnels etc really busy roads etc anything else please add

 

[Dubsie]

Stable manners - children do silly things like open doors suddenly, or make sudden noises or walk behind ponies etc. Is it safe to groom under belly, lift legs, plait mane and tail without kicking, biting etc.