HeyMich
Well-Known Member
So, I'm in the process of hunting for a pony. Yeay! or more accurately Aarghh!
The internet is a minefield! Who do you trust, and what can you believe? To give you an example, I went to see a gorgeous little hafflinger at the weekend, really sweet and my son enjoyed riding her (in an enclosed school environment), so much that I've arranged a 2nd viewing with my instructor friend to give him a wee lesson and take her for a hack. Great! The trouble is that since the 1st viewing, I've googled the dealers whose yard she was at, and according to the internet they are complete scoundrels, not to be touched with a barge pole. Apparently, everything they say is lies - and with pony shopping, you have to trust what the seller says and take the pony's back story/abilities/strengths/weaknesses into account. After all, I don't want my kids to get seriously hurt because I believed some sales person's lies! So, do I politely say thanks and walk away, or waste the best part of another day (when I should really be packing for our impending house move) and do the 2nd viewing?
Alternatively, if anyone knows of a suitable pony being sold/loaned by someone trustworthy and genuine, can you please let me know? We're looking for between 13-14hh, been there done it type (so older than 8 I guess), suitable for a wobbly, lanky 10 yr old with unstable, flappy legs, but who is very keen to learn and progress. Safe and sane, suitable for my 6 yr old to lead around the fields and get brushed and pampered to within an inch of it's life. Breed, colour, type I really don't mind. It will also be companion to my gentle 16.2 IDx, so must be happy to stand in the field/stable if I'm away riding. Based Central Scotland. Happy to pay the going rate, or sign a long-term loan contract. Not asking for too much, am I?
Hubby (non horsey) is totally trusting, and happy for me to make the decisions. Arghh! I need an adult to tell me what to do!
Internet shopping is the pits. I really should be enjoying looking for a pony (every girl's dream right?) but I'm hating it.
The internet is a minefield! Who do you trust, and what can you believe? To give you an example, I went to see a gorgeous little hafflinger at the weekend, really sweet and my son enjoyed riding her (in an enclosed school environment), so much that I've arranged a 2nd viewing with my instructor friend to give him a wee lesson and take her for a hack. Great! The trouble is that since the 1st viewing, I've googled the dealers whose yard she was at, and according to the internet they are complete scoundrels, not to be touched with a barge pole. Apparently, everything they say is lies - and with pony shopping, you have to trust what the seller says and take the pony's back story/abilities/strengths/weaknesses into account. After all, I don't want my kids to get seriously hurt because I believed some sales person's lies! So, do I politely say thanks and walk away, or waste the best part of another day (when I should really be packing for our impending house move) and do the 2nd viewing?
Alternatively, if anyone knows of a suitable pony being sold/loaned by someone trustworthy and genuine, can you please let me know? We're looking for between 13-14hh, been there done it type (so older than 8 I guess), suitable for a wobbly, lanky 10 yr old with unstable, flappy legs, but who is very keen to learn and progress. Safe and sane, suitable for my 6 yr old to lead around the fields and get brushed and pampered to within an inch of it's life. Breed, colour, type I really don't mind. It will also be companion to my gentle 16.2 IDx, so must be happy to stand in the field/stable if I'm away riding. Based Central Scotland. Happy to pay the going rate, or sign a long-term loan contract. Not asking for too much, am I?
Hubby (non horsey) is totally trusting, and happy for me to make the decisions. Arghh! I need an adult to tell me what to do!
Internet shopping is the pits. I really should be enjoying looking for a pony (every girl's dream right?) but I'm hating it.