Stressed! Searching for the impossible!

[mudmudmud]

I've been searching high and low for a loan pony for our 7 year old girl, is there just not ponies out there to loan anymore? !
We aren't asking for anything amazing, just something not crazy and that can pop round a 65cm course, is that unreasonable?! We own our own brand new yard and are happy to sign contracts, provide references, home checks, owners drop in at any time unannounced- what ever the owner stipulates! And still nothing!

Do people just not loan anymore? I never remember it being this difficult as a kid to find a loan pony!
If anyone knows of any 12.2hh ponies for loan please let me know!

 

[be positive]

I think most people with a true first ridden type of pony, which is what you are describing, will usually need to sell in order to replace once it has been outgrown, it will fetch good money if it is safe and jumps 65cm courses with a 7 year old child, lead reins are easier to find on loan as they are often not great off lead so less valuable and stay locally doing that job rather than get sold on.

 

[mudmudmud]

I just think I remember people keeping their first ponies for sentimental value (I understand that obviously this isnt an option for some people) I know I've still got my first pony and wouldn't mind if someone wanted to come give her a job (Unfortunately shes too big for little one) when I was a kid I had the choice of riding more ponies than I knew what to do with!

 

[bakewell]

Sounds like you have the perfect set-up to buy one. Is there a reason this isn't the case?

TBH the time and money it costs to get a kid into ponies nowadays (which really means either one parent working from home or the finance to afford livery) I can see why so many are sold on to afford a new one. Plus so few have the luxury of being able to retire at home.

 

[be positive]

I just think I remember people keeping their first ponies for sentimental value (I understand that obviously this isnt an option for some people) I know I've still got my first pony and wouldn't mind if someone wanted to come give her a job (Unfortunately shes too big for little one) when I was a kid I had the choice of riding more ponies than I knew what to do with!

The pony you are looking for is more of a second pony than the first steady lead rein type, which does often stay in the same home or get loaned out for years, a pony of the type you want can be very hard to find and therefore commands a fairly high price once outgrown, I have sold similar for several thousand.
A pony we had in the yard as a youngster to bring on, he fits your criteria, gets sold on every few years within the same PC and even now at around 20 with cushings is very much in demand and retains his value, enabling the replacement to be purchased without too much being added to the capital.

 

[ghostie]

I just think I remember people keeping their first ponies for sentimental value (I understand that obviously this isnt an option for some people) I know I've still got my first pony and wouldn't mind if someone wanted to come give her a job (Unfortunately shes too big for little one) when I was a kid I had the choice of riding more ponies than I knew what to do with!

if you have a bigger pony that needs a rider why not advertise to see if anyone wants to do a loan swap for a smaller pony? Might work if someone has a child growing out of a smaller pony, but wants to hang on to the smaller pony for whatever reason, like for another child in a few years, but needs something for the outgrowing child to ride?

 

[Shay]

Try your local pony club DC.

There are ponies like this around - but they almost never get advertised. They pass on by word of mouth. DCs are usually very keen to keep good ponies in the branch and will help place them rather than see them move on.

 

[digitalangel]

yep my pony is as you describe but is out on loan to a lovely family and i dont think he will be back for a while!