Small pony needs exercise! North Somerset

[smellsofhorse]

I have an 11.2hh welsh section a.
He is good on the lead rein but not really a first ridden at the moment, with a more experinced rider he is great, jumps well too.

My daugher is only 3 so just goes for little walked on him.
Im too big to get on him.
There is an 11 year old girl that rides him a coule of times a week but its not really enough.

So what do i do?
Do i put him on working livery?
He can get more exercise but i could still take my daughter to ride him a couple of times a week, she could even start lessons there when she is older.

Try and find someone else to ride him from where he is?

The problem is he is small, but needs a good rider.

Where would be a good place to put him on working livery?
Or where do I look for local riders?
Ive tried the local websites and tackshops but not horsequest or other "bigger" websites.

 

[Welshie Squisher]

My first thought on reading your post is the pony you describe isn't going to be suitable for your child coming off the lead rein.
Is he not a first ridden due to age or lack of experience?
If not and he's just 2nd pony type of pony, then I'd personally be thinking long and hard about a lot of time and effort now to only find out what you may already know a couple of years down the line, that being the pony isn't suitable to take your daughter off the lead rein.

My daughter had the wrong one, I foolishly thought oh things will be better in a couple of years, her confidence was battered and I had to get her a new pony to rebuild her confidence on. I now wish I'd just recognised I had the wrong pony to start with and sold her and got the right type.

Sorry, not much help. But your situation is so similar to mine a few years back

 

[smellsofhorse]

My first thought on reading your post is the pony you describe isn't going to be suitable for your child coming off the lead rein.
Is he not a first ridden due to age or lack of experience?
If not and he's just 2nd pony type of pony, then I'd personally be thinking long and hard about a lot of time and effort now to only find out what you may already know a couple of years down the line, that being the pony isn't suitable to take your daughter off the lead rein.

My daughter had the wrong one, I foolishly thought oh things will be better in a couple of years, her confidence was battered and I had to get her a new pony to rebuild her confidence on. I now wish I'd just recognised I had the wrong pony to start with and sold her and got the right type.

Sorry, not much help. But your situation is so similar to mine a few years back

You are right im thinking exactly that!

From the sounds of it he didnt have a good time in his last few homes, I dont think he was backed correctly, just jumped on basically. ( he is now 6)
I herad through word of mouth and friend of friends)

Id atleast like to give him a chance so was thinking maybe more work would help bring him on and make him suitible, maybe im just hoping but after all how does an inxeperienced pony become a school master, first ridden etc?

 

[Welshie Squisher]

Without knowing the pony its hard to say, greeness and a general lack of experience can be over come. Sharpness would probably remain, is he the kick along type or forward going?

If he's had a bad start and you think he's got the potential then yes I'd give him a chance, after all you can always sell once your daughter is ready to come off the lead rein if he's not suitable.
This would set her back a little, but she'd soon get comfortable on a new pony if it was the right type.

Working livery could be good in many ways although some ponies get so used to following the one in front, and so used to always being in groups that when taken away from that, they get anxious which again isn't first ridden material.

 

[smellsofhorse]

Without knowing the pony its hard to say, greeness and a general lack of experience can be over come. Sharpness would probably remain, is he the kick along type or forward going?

If he's had a bad start and you think he's got the potential then yes I'd give him a chance, after all you can always sell once your daughter is ready to come off the lead rein if he's not suitable.
This would set her back a little, but she'd soon get comfortable on a new pony if it was the right type.

Working livery could be good in many ways although some ponies get so used to following the one in front, and so used to always being in groups that when taken away from that, they get anxious which again isn't first ridden material.

Yes it so dificult to decide.
if i put him on working livery it would have to be at the right place, not somewhere that would ruin him!
We already have the second pony she isnt suitible as a leadrein but im begining to think she would be better as a first ridden the little one!

 

[smellsofhorse]

bump!

 

[Nosey]

Sounds v much like my situation a few years ago too! Said Welsh sec a still in field as I have yet to find him a home which is sad cos he's a lovely pony but just not quite suitable for my dtr when she was a v tiny 3yo. We ended up getting her something more suitable on loan then buying that which really restored her confidence. Can't really say what best route wld be for you...just that from my experience my little girls confidence was fragile & it was important to get the right pony to preserve it. Maybe you cld put your pony out on loan to an older child & see how he progreses wiv more work/experience. Maybe your local pony club have classified ads & you cld put his details on there? Good luck!

 

[smellsofhorse]

Sounds v much like my situation a few years ago too! Said Welsh sec a still in field as I have yet to find him a home which is sad cos he's a lovely pony but just not quite suitable for my dtr when she was a v tiny 3yo. We ended up getting her something more suitable on loan then buying that which really restored her confidence. Can't really say what best route wld be for you...just that from my experience my little girls confidence was fragile & it was important to get the right pony to preserve it. Maybe you cld put your pony out on loan to an older child & see how he progreses wiv more work/experience. Maybe your local pony club have classified ads & you cld put his details on there? Good luck!

Yes think i will try loan, advertise through the pony club etc.

Its your childs happiness and safety so having the right pony is a must!