Went to view the driving pony today....

Field04

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So off I went to view the little black driving pony today. He is living on his own in a tiny mud paddock in someones back garden. They have just got divorced so the horsey husband is no longer living there and so no one is doing anything with this little pony.

When we went to get him and put on the lead rope he was a bit fizzy with a bit of bucking involved, but think this was pure excitment that he was getting out!!!

We took him out for a ride with the cart and he was very well behaved all things considered. He listened to all the commandes and never felt out of control (it was my first time driving). I really enjoyed it and thought he was great.

However, the man did say that the pony is fine for lead rein but will be too strong for a child to ride alone on a hack (this is fine would not leave them off the leadrein on a hack anyway). He has also not been ridden in a sand school but his kids used to play riding around the paddock with him when they were younger.

Am going back tomorrow to try and ride him and see what he is like.

A couple of points, he is lacking topline and his feet did not look great. Where the frog meets the sole the groove was very pronounced. But he did admit he has not seen the farrier for over 4 months.

He is will to sell the pony and cart for 900 euros (but am thinking of saying I can only pay 800).

How do you think that sounds? I would attach the videos and photos but unfortunately during the ride I lost my camera!!! Luckily the man very kindly went searching for it this afternoon and I can also pick it up tomorrow!!

A bit of background, am looking for a small pony for my kids to lead rein with, to keep my other pony company and would love to learn to drive a pony. I think he fits the bill but somethings holding me back???
 
See how you feel about him when you ride him. 800 euro sounds a reasonable offer to me. How much would you pay for him without the cart?
 
I think he sounds a lot for what he is.

Bad feet, fizzy personality, bucks when being led, "too strong" for children to hack + never having been ridden in an arena? Sounds like a child's nightmare and certainly not one that's going to be safe/confidence giving!
 
Thats about £500 so not a bad price and the owner does seem to be honest which a lot of people would not be so although he may need a bit of attention I would see if he feels ok when you ride him and then decide
 
Try not to be softened by the pony's living conditions...if something seems not quite right, then it probably isn't.

There are plenty of driving ponies for sale for not a lot of money. Some of them are very safe rides as well..
 
I would really like to learn to drive a pony, and unfortunately the prices where I am in France seem to still be quite high at the moment. Usually it doubles the price of a pony when they can drive and be ridden.

I do feel he was very honest, and really just needed to find a new home where he could get attention and be worked. He admitted he just didn't get any attention anymore and was not very happy living on his own (pony, not the divorced man:p) We did go out for a good drive, and he is letting me ride him tomorrow. And he did answer all of my questions.

However, I will reserve final judgement until tomorrow when I will see if the pony is a little fizzy again and if he tanks off with me!!! Wish me luck:D

When he bought the pony and cart he paid 2,500 euros!!!!!
 
This pony & trap?

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