Too soon to buy first pony?

[GaryTheDonkey]

I’m an experienced horsewoman, but gave it all up when I had children. I always imagined I’d get back into it quickly, that my kids would be the ‘riding before they can walk’ type, but it just never worked out like that. I miss it.



My eldest is 6 and has recently started lessons at a riding school, having finally met the criteria. I thought maybe I’d wait for her to learn the basics and be confident off the lead rein before looking to buy a first pony, but I’m starting to think I can’t wait that long! She’s about 10 lessons in and progress is excruciatingly slow. I find the instructor rather hard work too. She’s can be abrupt when she gets something wrong even though she tries really hard and listens well. I’m often being corrected on something I’m doing too (I lead the pony) which is a bit galling.



I’ve found myself toying with the idea of looking for a pony to buy now, that she can learn on, and bypassing all this riding school business. Is that sensible given that she’s barely been out of walk yet? How do I even go about finding a pony when she can’t ride it to try it out? What does everyone else do?!

 

[Burnerbee]

Borrow someone else’s pony? First and foremost find out if your daughter even likes ponies and don’t pressure her to - the horsey gene often skips a generation!

 

[IrishMilo]

Why wouldn't she be able to try it out? After 10 lessons I'd expect the basics of rising trot (I think, it's been a VERY long time since I was learning, but I was definitely out of walk and I think doing small bouts of canter by that point). Would changing RS not be a better idea for now until you know she loves it? Don't forget what a commitment it is, and that it might be unfair on a pony to get passed around in a short time if it doesn't work out.

 

[I'm Dun]

Buy the pony. Get a ride and drive so you can have some use out of it too. Good first ponies sell easily if she later gives up.

 

[Abacus]

You may well find a pony to share if you ask around local yards or Faceache. Might be easier than the cost of buying, and halve the cost of keeping and all the chores. The two little ponies at my yard definitely don't get ridden every day (one is mine and is outgrown, and at 25 I won't put her out on loan again. You might find something like that where an owner of an outgrown pony would like them to be doing more)

 

[I'm Dun]

or buy something bigger she can do lear rein rides on till you see how interested she is. My 14.2hh cobs have always been super lovely with novice kids and happy to plod round all day, and unless your enormous would be big enough for you too.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Get her a pony and join pony club..join the rest of the penniless parent brigade lol.

 

[GaryTheDonkey]

Borrowing one would be great, but we have moved relatively recently to the area so I no longer have any contacts to ask this sort of favour. I’m also quite conscious that she needs to continue lessons in some capacity. If we did get a pony at this point, I would definitely sign her up to pony club to attend rallies etc and get her regular private lessons too. These things would be difficult to arrange on a borrowed pony. I suppose a loan pony would be another alternative but I’m guessing they are like hens teeth.

I know what you mean by pressure, it’s one of the reasons I never did get her a Shetland and basket saddle as a toddler. And one of the reasons I’m hesitating now. I also have a younger daughter (3) so I suppose that doubles the chance that at least one of them gets the bug!

 

[GaryTheDonkey]

Why wouldn't she be able to try it out? After 10 lessons I'd expect the basics of rising trot (I think, it's been a VERY long time since I was learning, but I was definitely out of walk and I think doing small bouts of canter by that point). Would changing RS not be a better idea for now until you know she loves it? Don't forget what a commitment it is, and that it might be unfair on a pony to get passed around in a short time if it doesn't work out.

This is the thing - she’s barely trotted at all yet, let alone got the basics of rising! I’ve never been through riding school so I wasn’t sure what my expectations should be, but sounds like she should have achieved a bit more by now? Sadly changing riding schools isn’t an option, we are quite remote and it’s the only one near enough to get to.

 

[Catbird]

Is so tricky - I stopped my kid's riding lessons as didn't like they way they taught (very shouty and "kick kick kick"!) but I can't afford a pony and haven't found a suitable share.
Am lucky to have my cob and they get to ride him when I'm in the mood to walk for miles while they moan at me for not being able to run for long enough for them to trot their way round....

I'd look for a share first, as the time commitment would be less than having your own and the pony might already be in a set up with other kids who she can learn/ride out/have fun with

Edited to add that local horsey fb groups can be good to look at for a share or make a request. Also equestrian shop notice boards

 

[Squeak]

Borrowing one would be great, but we have moved relatively recently to the area so I no longer have any contacts to ask this sort of favour. I’m also quite conscious that she needs to continue lessons in some capacity. If we did get a pony at this point, I would definitely sign her up to pony club to attend rallies etc and get her regular private lessons too. These things would be difficult to arrange on a borrowed pony. I suppose a loan pony would be another alternative but I’m guessing they are like hens teeth.

I know what you mean by pressure, it’s one of the reasons I never did get her a Shetland and basket saddle as a toddler. And one of the reasons I’m hesitating now. I also have a younger daughter (3) so I suppose that doubles the chance that at least one of them gets the bug!

If there are local facebook groups you could ask on there about sharing a pony rather than needing contacts. Especially at this time of year people might be very glad to let your daughter ride their pony a couple of times a week and even more so if you're able to help with some chores as well.

 

[GaryTheDonkey]

or buy something bigger she can do lear rein rides on till you see how interested she is. My 14.2hh cobs have always been super lovely with novice kids and happy to plod round all day, and unless your enormous would be big enough for you too.

Nice idea! I’m small and light so could get away with something pretty small. I’m hoping with her own pony my daughter would progress pretty quickly and get off the lead rein though? I have old friends on Facebook posting videos of their children of the same age doing small courses sj off the lead rein. Am I being unrealistic?

 

[I'm Dun]

Nice idea! I’m small and light so could get away with something pretty small. I’m hoping with her own pony my daughter would progress pretty quickly and get off the lead rein though? I have old friends on Facebook posting videos of their children of the same age doing small courses sj off the lead rein. Am I being unrealistic?

No, but shes just starting out so is a good while away from that. If you are only little could you look at a 13.2hh native? Might be a good compromise.

 

[ester]

Get the pony

(wild you thought you might get a different answer on here )

Plenty of kids skip the riding school stage and if you’re not happy with what’s provided to and find yourself an older little sensible beast.

I wouldn’t go bigger, between width and bigger movement as well as being farther to fall it’s a big ask. I’d plan that for the next one

 

[GaryTheDonkey]

If there are local facebook groups you could ask on there about sharing a pony rather than needing contacts. Especially at this time of year people might be very glad to let your daughter ride their pony a couple of times a week and even more so if you're able to help with some chores as well.

Thanks I will look into this. Haven’t been on Facebook for ages which is why I haven’t come across this sort of thing but it’s definitely worth a try. I wonder whether most owners would want more basic riding ability from a sharer though?

 

[ester]

Thanks I will look into this. Haven’t been on Facebook for ages which is why I haven’t come across this sort of thing but it’s definitely worth a try. I wonder whether most owners would want more basic riding ability from a sharer though?

Many would be happy so long as you are experienced, not sure how the insurance situ would work though.

 

[Catbird]

Thanks I will look into this. Haven’t been on Facebook for ages which is why I haven’t come across this sort of thing but it’s definitely worth a try. I wonder whether most owners would want more basic riding ability from a sharer though?

It'll depend on the pony and what you can bring to it - doubt they'd like a beginner child with a non horsey parent, but a beginner with a parent with knowledge who can help with chores etc could be ok

 

[GaryTheDonkey]

No, but shes just starting out so is a good while away from that. If you are only little could you look at a 13.2hh native? Might be a good compromise.

I could definitely ride a 13.2 no problem, I’m only 7.5 stone. But I wonder whether such a pony would become redundant even faster than a lead rein pony would? I’d love to get one for myself but I’d probably be looking for something with a bit more about it that I could take hunting ideally.

 

[dorsetladette]

Have a look for a share pony maybe?

There's a lady local to us who has a 30 year old pony who she retired when daughter moved up to next pony. 30 year old pony has other idea's and refuses to retire. She is always looking for someone to ride him to give him something to do/think about.

 

[GaryTheDonkey]

Get the pony

(wild you thought you might get a different answer on here )

Plenty of kids skip the riding school stage and if you’re not happy with what’s provided to and find yourself an older little sensible beast.

I wouldn’t go bigger, between width and bigger movement as well as being farther to fall it’s a big ask. I’d plan that for the next one

Yes I think I might be indulging in a bit of confirmation bias with this thread

 

[GaryTheDonkey]

Thanks for the suggestions on sharing, I will put some feelers out on Facebook while continuing with lessons for now. I think if nothing turns up within the next couple of months I might look to buy in the spring.

 

[splashgirl45]

There are often ads on Facebook for loan homes for tiny ponies , many people don’t want to sell their children’s first ponies. My nieces daughter is 4 and has a share pony who is 22 and the owners won’t sell but have a couple of children as sharers so the pony is doing things. My nieces daughter is on the lead rein and my niece is an experienced horse rider so she is teaching her. Confidence is an important thing to encourage when they are young and it’s best to start them slowly although it sounds like the instructed you have is maybe going a bit too slow

 

[GaryTheDonkey]

There are often ads on Facebook for loan homes for tiny ponies , many people don’t want to sell their children’s first ponies. My nieces daughter is 4 and has a share pony who is 22 and the owners won’t sell but have a couple of children as sharers so the pony is doing things. My nieces daughter is on the lead rein and my niece is an experienced horse rider so she is teaching her. Confidence is an important thing to encourage when they are young and it’s best to start them slowly although it sounds like the instructed you have is maybe going a bit too slow

I’ve been having a good look on Facebook since I last posted and I just can’t see anything in my area yet, we are quite remote so I do wonder if that will limit our options.

I definitely don’t want to rush her, but I’m sure she’ll make much faster progress riding several times a week vs one group lesson.

To be honest it’s not just the pace - I’m finding the whole concept of the riding school quite hard to deal with. The instructor is quite overbearing and I don’t agree with everything she says, but of course I keep quiet because I don’t want to undermine her. Also find it quite tiresome being told I’m holding the lead rein in the wrong way etc etc. I really wonder whether she might be on a bit of a power trip with all that, or maybe I’m just a bit sensitive.

 

[maya2008]

I shared a Shetland for 6 months to check whether my son would stick with it. He did, so we bought our own. He was 3, was able to walk and do basic sitting trot at the viewing. If you were to ask around on your local horsey Facebook group, I bet you could find a pony to share. We have had children share our ponies - some stuck with it and got their own, others decided it wasn’t for them.

In terms of the riding school - I have a sharer who rode at the local riding school for months and I honestly couldn’t see what they were teaching. Few private lessons later…she’s trotting securely and has made so much progress! Having a share would enable similar for your daughter - find a good instructor and get them to come and teach her on the share pony.

I would also suggest a share because at 6, you’ll go through the lead rein phase fast if she is riding regularly. Maybe best to wait and get the first ridden when she is ready for it.

 

[HopOnTrot]

Find out which is your local branch of PC and ask if they know anyone with a pony who needs extra work, make sure you stipulate that you know what you're doing!

My daughter has a pony and tbh doesn't ride enough in winter to justify it but for the little she does ride, she does really well and she loves the social aspect!

 

[HopOnTrot]

(Also to add, I needed a companion for my mare and we were very lucky to find a 12.2 LR/FR for sale cheaply and locally and the pony has been better than we could ever imagine, we were VERY lucky!)

 

[Asha]

I did exactly what you are thinking of. At the time i was a lot lighter and could also ride the pony. So we had lots of fun. Daughter came on leaps and bounds.

To find such a unicorn id recommend getting in touch with the local PC branch. Good first ridden ponies usually get sold word of mouth

 

[Abacus]

I’ve been having a good look on Facebook since I last posted and I just can’t see anything in my area yet, we are quite remote so I do wonder if that will limit our options.

I definitely don’t want to rush her, but I’m sure she’ll make much faster progress riding several times a week vs one group lesson.

To be honest it’s not just the pace - I’m finding the whole concept of the riding school quite hard to deal with. The instructor is quite overbearing and I don’t agree with everything she says, but of course I keep quiet because I don’t want to undermine her. Also find it quite tiresome being told I’m holding the lead rein in the wrong way etc etc. I really wonder whether she might be on a bit of a power trip with all that, or maybe I’m just a bit sensitive.

If you put up a wanted ad you might get replies from people who haven't advertised theirs, they may not be actively looking but would be interested. I'm one such with my little old pony, if the right person came along they could share her, but I haven't bothered looking. (And just in case, we are in South Oxfordshire )

 

[SEL]

Normally I'd say keep in lessons but it doesn't sound like she's learning much.

Pop something up on a local FB page and see if someone local has a share. My friend had a companion Shetland for her horse which was broken to ride but no rider and he gave lead rein lessons to a little girl for a while - novelty wore off so I think Mum was happy she hadn't gone down the buying route!

 

[GaryTheDonkey]

I’ve put some posts on the local Facebook pages so fingers crossed I’ll hear something back! Hopefully I’ve posted on the right groups, there doesn’t seem to be a specific share/loan group in my area. I’m in the Yorkshire Dales.