Pony rides on a shoestring! Work for rides?

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RuthM

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I took my 4 yr old daughter for a riding lesson today but I'm not going back. A 16" saddle with adult leathers wound round so often they formed a disc, a bridle so small the throatlash could not be tied so was wound to the cheek piece - worst of all a loose ring far too small bit that could not sit with the rings outside the mouth. I asked the 'instructor' if the pony was male or female, it took her looking both places (under the tail twice!) before she could answer.

I really want to teach her, I want to know the pony she rides, I want the pony she rides to know me. She's a small 4 and I want her to learn to balance well, rise to the trot and use her legs before she has reins. I'd like her to watch the pony she rode work on the lunge and get a feel for the relationship, I'd like to be able to lunge with her on board too.

Problem is, I have scarce money. I scraped enough for 10 lessons and hoped I'd figure something out. As a kid I worked for rides, as an adult I was paid to ride but my horse friends (old employers) are too far away and only have horses. I go back to uni next year and after that I should earn a decent wage but inbetween money will be even more scarce.

I can't help but think every county must be awash with under used 11h - 12h ponies as I doubt many people ask very young kids to ride daily. I'd love to just 'borrow' a younger pony once or twice a week. I've 2 decades experience of big yard work and references to match. If I could earn rides as a skrawny know nowt kid, surely I could earn them for her now? Only I think an 11yr old leaning over a field fence asking if they want help is quite cute - a 41 yr old just damn weird!

Is working for rides still out there? Does anyone know people who do it? If you let someone ride your horse pony for free how did you meet them?
 
If you were near me your problem could be solved, I have several ponies not doing enough and there are sure to be many others around, do a few notices and put in feed stores/tack shops etc you should be able to find something.
Contact the local PC, they may be able to suggest a few people to contact.

I am in Somerset if thats any help:)
 
I have been looking for someone to ride mine for ages. I dont ask for any money but some help with jobs would be most appreciated.

Marzipan12 has ridden one and I had a lovely lady riding the other, but she wanted to do high level dressage and I dont think our girl was good enough.

I dont have anything small enough for you but there will be people out there who are happy to help.

Our little cob would be perfect for your job if she wasn't too big :rolleyes:

And we probably live 100 miles away
 
Try the Pony Club website - maybe put a wanted advert in, it's quite cheap.

Some people would bite your arm off for such an offer - there are plenty of fat outgrown ponies that need exercise and whose owners would love some help with yard duties etc.

I have had a couple of people use an outgrown pony, they have contributed towards shoes etc, and the pony has benefited by being kept fit. As I got to trust them and they learnt my routine, it has worked well for me as I have been able to ask them to help out when I am out for the day. So as you sound knowledgeable and not afraid to do the grafting, I would have thought you would find someone easily.

Also try an advert in a tack shop etc, although some people prefer word of mouth or a reference from someone else horsey, or try asking at some local yards in case someone has a pony on DIY and needs a sharer for the work rather than the money.
 
be positive said:
If you were near me your problem could be solved, I have several ponies not doing enough and there are sure to be many others around, do a few notices and put in feed stores/tack shops etc you should be able to find something.
Contact the local PC, they may be able to suggest a few people to contact.

I am in Somerset if thats any help:)
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You're bonkers miles away from me but I'm really relieved you posted. I was worried as soon as I said no money owners would just think 'scrounger'!

As a kid I worked hard and rode for free because I worked hard, eventually I had rides coming out my ears and never short of a loan pony without ever advertising. As an adult I was a groom so have no connections into the hobby world. The tack shops could be a really good idea.
 
We found our little pony through preloved, we started just riding him occasionally then he came to us on loan.
 
I would advertise what you are looking for in tack shops and feed stores. Lots of people would snap you up!

The problem we have had in the past is people come to ride a pony and seem to look at it as a babysitting service too despite adverts making it clear the child (or parent) need to be competent and able to groom and tack up by themselves.

One of my friends has given up trying to find someone to ride her pony and just drives him. Another has a pony that had odd kids that come occassionally but nothing regular enough - she even has a menage that can be used!

One friend asked for a very small financial contribution from her regular child, the other likes a stable mucked out or a barrow of poo picked from the field per ride. Sounds like an arrangement like that would suit you well.

You might find a good lead on here if you state what area you live in.
 
I just added my location (Notts) - and realised when my old comp just got stuck the twin post I thought hadn't posted had! Sorry - I copied while it died then couldn't remember the title! Hopefully mods will kill the other less lived in twin!
 
I used to ride an outgrown obese pony when I was young - only I got him so fit and healthy, that one day i got to the field to be told he'd been sold :(

But yes, there are lots of ponies out there that would love to have a new rider and places to go - good luck :)
 
shysmum said:
I used to ride an outgrown obese pony when I was young - only I got him so fit and healthy, that one day i got to the field to be told he'd been sold :(
QUOTE]

That used to happen to me lots from loans (mostly nutters) as a kid but at the same time it kept the rides coming so I didn't mind. Freya - my kid, is going to have to learn to love 'em while they're there too I suspect.
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juliette said:
The problem we have had in the past is people come to ride a pony and seem to look at it as a babysitting service too despite adverts making it clear the child (or parent) need to be competent and able to groom and tack up by themselves.
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Flamin' 'eck! I believe you, I'm just gobsmacked!
 
I was always desperate for children to come and sit on my pony, Only on the lead rein because he wasn't suitable otherwise, But still, I couldn't find enough of them lol!
 
I wish that i could find someone like you near to me, i've got two little New Forest ponies that are far two small for my daughter & in dire need of someone competent to take them on & do something useful with them.

Good luck with your search, i hope that you find something soon.
 
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