Thoughts on pony please

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tina60

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Hi I am looking to buy a pony for myself and my grandchildren to learn to ride on, I just want something to hack out on and enjoy, I am quite small so have been able to look at sizes from about 13"2 to 14"". I think I may have found something that is suitable - great in traffic, loves being fussed over, , used to children etc but he is 15 years old, I was looking for something between 9 and 12 approx . My question is is this too old to buy, how long realistically will I be able to hack out on him - I know this is like asking how long is a piece of string! but I just wondered what everyone's thoughts were? Apart from his age he sounds perfect. I have been looking for quite a while and have come to realise its impossible to tick every box, there will always be something that is not quite right and my main requirement is a good temperament and a safe ride so thought this may be the one!

Thank you for your help!
 
If you need something safe and for the grand kids I would buy even older than 15 if it were the right pony. So no, definitely not too old to buy - particularly for a pony they can go on much longer than horses! I have a 21 year old who is currently fitter than ever, probably did 15 miles on saturday, in work 6 days a week, will hopefully hunt a bit again this year. So yup, if perfect apart from a couple of years too old go buy the bloomin thing then give us pictures :p :p
 
Ah thank you ester! I am so worried about making a mistake! its a complete minefield out there. I have yet to try him out but he sounds lovely so will give it a go!
 
Not old at all! My friend has a pony that her grandkids and my daughter ride and he is 35! He is still doing lead rein classes quite happily. They all love Captain Cuddles!
 
My daughters first pony didn't come to us until he was 35. Was still hacking (including a good gallop) at 42. He only went downhill when we retired him at 43.
 
My first pony was over 20 when he came. Over 35 when he went, he was grey and the Melanomas got him in the end, but up until the last month he was still actively hacking and popping the odd jump.......

My OHs first horse was a loan from our farrier, also over 20. Cracking horse, taught OH to gallop and jump, and canter sideways and trot on the spot!!!!!



Edited to say, he had to canter sideways when he was excited or he would leap imaginary gates!!

The wonderful thing was because this was a well aged horse he knew how far to go and still bring them both home with a smile on OHs face.
 
My loan pony is somewhere in his 20s. He has taught me how to ride and is better the more I ride him. He has to be in front or I wouldn't have a hope in stopping him! He is great
 
My first loan was 25 and boy did he teach me how to stay on!

Have you hacked solo before? A good hacking horse is worth it's weight in gold as there are a lot of bad, nappy ones out there that can really knock your confidence. If he is everything he sounds - go for it! You could have many happy years :)

Just out of interest how old are your grandchildren? I always this of 5 years olds when I heard 'grandkids'. They aren't going to be overhorsed by something 14h are they?
 
Thank you everyone for your replies! that is brilliant to hear - I don't know why I was so worried about his age after hearing from all of you. Some of your ponies are amazing! This one that I am interested in is 13"2 and my grandchildren age from 3 to 12 ( I have 7 of them!!) I am sure that not all of them will be interested, I am thinking the 7 and 9 year old girls will love it! Thank you I am going to see him tomorrow fingers crossed!#
 
Ponies are sort of ageless animals- we know ponies in the PC who have been 25 for at least a decade. Our favourite was a pony my sister had an amazing year on... He came to us age 25 and was PTS 10 years later age 23.
 
My first pony was a 16 year old welsh b and I still competed sj and whp with him most weekend untill he was about 25 and the only reason we stopped was because I got way to big for him! 15 isn't to old at all :) good luck viewing him!!
 
Good luck with the viewing. If he's the right one for you, he'll be a very lucky pony to have his own fan club with all the grandchildren.
 
Thank you guys :) I was very lucky when I was young to have a pony but could never afford to do it for my children, so now I'm
making up for it with the grandchildren :)
 
15 is 100% not too old! i bought my horse at 17and we still do jumping and cross country! if you only want a bit of hacking you could be rding it for the next 15 years! its almost an insult to call a 15yo horse old haha
 
My Welsh boy was in his early twenties when I brought him, fit as a fiddle, loved a good gallop, jumped like a stag but my girls have sat on him for a lead out, and had their first solo rides on him (then 6&4) and he was as good as gold, and last December he was loaned out to a lady for her to use as companion hack for her daughter and her pony. The daughter (having lost confidence in her pony) rode my lad and loved him, being a steady lad he has sent her confidence through the roof (he had breaks unlike her 7 year old pony) - they love him soo much so they've asked to buy him (perfect home so I agreed :)).

Moral here is age is a number, I've ridden happy hackers in their late twenties and ponies will happily keep working as long as they are fit.

If this pony ticks the boxes go for it :) Sounds a cracker :)
 
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