Viewing child's pony

atlantis

atlantis

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So arranging to go see a pony this weekend. Looks a very sweet child's pony. Not a world beater show pony but I'm looking for a child's best friend and she looks safe and steady.

I'm taking a friend but not wanting to take DD. Friend (AI) has little sister and small friend and hopefully one of them can come to ride. It's very local so not too out of the way to drag them.

Having never viewed a child's pony before, anything particular to consider? Any tips? It's a bit strange not being able to ride (pony is 12.2 and I'm over 10st).
 
If the rider you are taking with you is small enough to ride, ask to see the pony doing everything you want to do with it, then pop your rider on and ask to see it all again. Assess soundness and confo before your rider gets on. For a child's pony, I would want to see it on and off the lead-rein, in traffic, with dogs, and other hazards and doing things similar to gymkhana games to check that the pony won't panic, if the rider starts leaning to one side. Of course if you can see the vendor catch, groom and tack up, so much the better. The rider needs to be able to lead the pony, pick up feet and untack etc.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
If the rider you are taking with you is small enough to ride, ask to see the pony doing everything you want to do with it, then pop your rider on and ask to see it all again. Assess soundness and confo before your rider gets on. For a child's pony, I would want to see it on and off the lead-rein, in traffic, with dogs, and other hazards and doing things similar to gymkhana games to check that the pony won't panic, if the rider starts leaning to one side. Of course if you can see the vendor catch, groom and tack up, so much the better. The rider needs to be able to lead the pony, pick up feet and untack etc.
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Thank you all great suggestions. My rider is a tiny adult so not a child. I just feel I just knew when I went to buy my 2 horses, but not until I sat on board. You just get a feel don't you.

Instructor friend will go back with me. She suggested seeing someone small on so may take DD with me then. Wanted it to be a surprise. We'll see.
 
atlantis said:
Instructor friend will go back with me. She suggested seeing someone small on so may take DD with me then. Wanted it to be a surprise. We'll see.
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I'd save taking daughter until a second visit so if it turns out to be totally unsuitable she doesn't have to know about it.
 
If the rider is adult, i would stress to them to "think child" when riding. I know many adults who are ample riders tend to want to get the horse to do whatever they want by asking adult ways, but a child wont do that and if the child is the aimed rider..they need to realise the pony must do what a CHILD says.
 
I would ask them to leave it in the field so you can seen it caught and handled normally. Ask things like how many times it gets ridden a week. If possible see the child that owns it ride it, if its truly out grown they may be a bit big but if they haven't outgrown it why are they selling?
As someone else has said, who ever gets on it should ride like a novice with little leg and little contact and see how little effort it takes to get it away from the gate.
 
All great advice above...manners/lack of nappiness..the pony needs to build confidence in your child ...oh and if your gut says no then don't be swayed by tears even after second try etc. Have fun on your search.
 
MouseInLux said:
We told my daughter that we were pony shopping for her riding school. Boy was she shocked when her pony showed up at our barn!
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Great idea. Will steal that!!!

dominobrown said:
Can you refrences from pony club etc?
Beware of any sharpness, it could be worse in a new situation.
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Yep will take note
Midlifecrisis said:
All great advice above...manners/lack of nappiness..the pony needs to build confidence in your child ...oh and if your gut says no then don't be swayed by tears even after second try etc. Have fun on your search.
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Yep I will stay strong!!!
 
Take a deposit. Good kids ponies are like hens teeth and if its part of a PC and its as good as it sounds I'm surprised its even got advertised.
 
Antw23uk said:
Take a deposit. Good kids ponies are like hens teeth and if its part of a PC and its as good as it sounds I'm surprised its even got advertised.
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It's not part of a pc I think so that might be why. It had a LOT of interest on the advert on fb but I've been able to get in to view as I'm very local.

Do I risk loosing a deposit fo you think? I'm not going g to buy without my instructor seeing so will need a second viewing. Also getting it vetted.
 
atlantis said:
It's not part of a pc I think so that might be why. It had a LOT of interest on the advert on fb but I've been able to get in to view as I'm very local.

Do I risk loosing a deposit fo you think? I'm not going g to buy without my instructor seeing so will need a second viewing. Also getting it vetted.
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I honestly cant answer that. If you dont take a deposit the seller could well continue with viewings, even on the same day as you go. The other person might turn up with a child and instructor and go yes, thats the one. Here is a deposit which I will have back if it 'fails' a vetting in a couple of days time (bearing in mind its Friday) ... pony passes vetting and you have missed out. So sorry i cant advise but you just got to be on the ball and quick for these childrens ponies because they are like gold dust. Good luck.
 
Antw23uk said:
I honestly cant answer that. If you dont take a deposit the seller could well continue with viewings, even on the same day as you go. The other person might turn up with a child and instructor and go yes, thats the one. Here is a deposit which I will have back if it 'fails' a vetting in a couple of days time (bearing in mind its Friday) ... pony passes vetting and you have missed out. So sorry i cant advise but you just got to be on the ball and quick for these childrens ponies because they are like gold dust. Good luck.
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Yeah good point. How much? 10-20%?

Spanner in the works...

Right guys what do you think about us loaning a pony just for the winter? Been offered a sweet little guy, done FR before, from someone I know who looks sweet. Is being turned away for the winter as their child rider is tiny and on LR. Would this be testing the water or a road to heart break for DD just as she's getting into it?
 
atlantis said:
Right guys what do you think about us loaning a pony just for the winter? Been offered a sweet little guy, done FR before, from someone I know who looks sweet. Is being turned away for the winter as their child rider is tiny and on LR. Would this be testing the water or a road to heart break for DD just as she's getting into it?
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Only you can answer that. If she knows from the beginning that the pony isn't for keeps but just borrowed, I imagine it could work quite well - you'd have to make her aware from the start that she should try not to get too attached though. Is she a child that could manage that?
 
atlantis said:
Yeah good point. How much? 10-20%?

Spanner in the works...

Right guys what do you think about us loaning a pony just for the winter? Been offered a sweet little guy, done FR before, from someone I know who looks sweet. Is being turned away for the winter as their child rider is tiny and on LR. Would this be testing the water or a road to heart break for DD just as she's getting into it?
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This is the first one you have viewed so I would be cautious at this stage, yes you may miss the perfect pony but equally you may go back and find it is not what you saw the first time and lose the deposit, they may have loads of interest but knowing how fickle people can be it may not be serious interest and the pony may not be the paragon it seems to be.

I would think about the loan, it could be a really good stepping stone to see how keen your daughter is, as long as she is sensible, knows the pony is being borrowed and that she is extremely lucky to be able to look after it for the owner this winter but it has to go back then there is no reason for heartbreak, all ponies will be outgrown and unless you have the funds to keep them all for life they will move on, sometimes the worst happens as well, so don't "protect" her too much from reality.
 
I'd seriously consider the loan if your daughter is able to deal with the pony going back in the spring - they are usually far better at these things than we give them credit for and as BP says, it would help you see how keen she is for her own pony.

Or, if they're close enough, could you continue to share the pony come the spring if you like him? I can't imagine a child on the LR and one not long off the LR would work the pony so hard they couldn't both ride him? The only sticking point would be if they both want him at the same time for pony club or a show etc.
 
JJS said:
Only you can answer that. If she knows from the beginning that the pony isn't for keeps but just borrowed, I imagine it could work quite well - you'd have to make her aware from the start that she should try not to get too attached though. Is she a child that could manage that?
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be positive said:
This is the first one you have viewed so I would be cautious at this stage, yes you may miss the perfect pony but equally you may go back and find it is not what you saw the first time and lose the deposit, they may have loads of interest but knowing how fickle people can be it may not be serious interest and the pony may not be the paragon it seems to be.

I would think about the loan, it could be a really good stepping stone to see how keen your daughter is, as long as she is sensible, knows the pony is being borrowed and that she is extremely lucky to be able to look after it for the owner this winter but it has to go back then there is no reason for heartbreak, all ponies will be outgrown and unless you have the funds to keep them all for life they will move on, sometimes the worst happens as well, so don't "protect" her too much from reality.
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Yes it's our first viewing. I will take deposit with me and take extra care to be super cautious. Be positive you're very good at helping me choose ponies. I will never forget your excellent advice when first choosing Lottie and those difficult first few months. She is totally worth all the hassle I had with her feet. I will always take your advice on board!!
I'm liking the stepping stone idea if I'm honest. I think it will ease us all in gently, especially my OH who is happy for us to have pony but is more wary.
 
annagain said:
I'd seriously consider the loan if your daughter is able to deal with the pony going back in the spring - they are usually far better at these things than we give them credit for and as BP says, it would help you see how keen she is for her own pony.

Or, if they're close enough, could you continue to share the pony come the spring if you like him? I can't imagine a child on the LR and one not long off the LR would work the pony so hard they couldn't both ride him? The only sticking point would be if they both want him at the same time for pony club or a show etc.
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Unfortunately they are too far away for that. DD would be very upset, but ok if we had another lined up I would think, so would start a search properly Feb half term time maybe?
 
So busy day tomorrow going to view both ponies. Little bay mare to buy, little grey gelding to loan for 6 months. Husband more keen on loan and tbh I think it's a good idea, that we shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, and I'm warming to the idea of the short term loan to test for all of us.

I'm also going to chat to the leader at pony club that DD attends at the local Eq centre, as she is involved at an area level, just about what we can get involved with over the winter to make sure we don't miss out and that we make the most of having a pony over winter (either way).

DD will be coming with us to view loan pony and may well ride if I think he is suitable. Not coming to other pony, may well return with her with RI.

Sound like a plan?
 
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