What age shetland

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Field04

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I am looking at getting a shetland for my children. Have been to visit one today from a riding school who is 16. Do you think this is too old? I think it is quite a good age, but my riding instructor is saying it will be practically dead at this age.

Also they want quite £600 for it. He has been used for childrens riding lessons, and also by the lady who is selling its son (who is a very good little rider for his age). He has also been circus trained, not sure if this is a bonus or not, but does mean he responds to voice commands very well.

Should I or shouldn't I????
 
Shocked by your instructors attitude! 16 is a perfect age for a first pony IMO. Plenty of years work left in them but they've been there and done it.
My horse is 15 in May and is by no means 'practically dead.'
 
16 is no great age for a pony, and especially not for a shetland. There is a slightly higher possibility of some age related problems, but a vetting will soon weed most of those out. I bought my daughters LR shetland this year, aged 17. I hope we will have her for years to come.

As to the circus trained bit, I'd say that depends what it has been taught to do.
 
As other's have said - his age should pose no problems, especially if he passes vetting.

The price does seem a little steep to me ... but with that price comes the security of a child friendly pony. Only you can decide if the pony is worth the pennies. :D

Good luck
xx
 
16 is nothing I have a min of 30 year old mini who is full of life and definitely in no way slowing up or anything is goes off for long walks everywhere and although currently isn't being ridden due to no rider small enough ( hes 29 inches) last year we used him for pony rides for a friends granddaughter and hopefully he will be used to get my son started before his little section a is ready!
 
What a load of poppycock from your instructor! I got my first pony when she was 16 and had the time of my life cantering about on her and winning gymkhanas! She's still jumping now and is 26! I say go for it if he is suitable.
 
16 is no age for a shetland. I've known plenty still doing exactly the same at 30 as they did at 10. The one my daughter rode from being a baby to a toddler had been with current owner 30yrs, & it was an adult when she first got it. So probably closer to 40. Admittedly a days hunting was beyond it, but when it came to cantering it was me on the lr requesting we slowed down. Next pony she rode was well into its 20's. As was her fr loan pony.
 
Age is fine, the price is too if YOU are happy to pay the price for a safe pony.

The only possibility is that when your children outgrow pony, is that pony may well be stuck with you lot :D as might be well into 20's by then, but if a paragon will be easy to pass on via loan etc to yet another family to get them going.

ps: tell your instructor she doesn't know what she is talking about; most 1st ponies are well into double figures going into 1st time owner homes & if she doesn't acknowledge that, then get a new instructor!!
 
I find my instructor quite annoying with her views. Pleased I asked for some opinions. As for what to do with the shettie when kids grow out of it, I plan on keeping him as a companion for my horse.

Am going to contact them and take my girls for a trial. Will let you know I get on.
 
Good luck, hope things go well.
Tip: Do not tell the children you might be buying a pony, just say you are 'going for a ride on friends pony' - always helps with little ones so they dont get hopes up & then you dash things if the pony is not what is required.
In fact, only tell them on the day when collecting pony ;)
(saves on the total over excitement the night before, usually keeping parent up all night -like they have been on E numbers all day :D )
 
Virtually dead by 16... Don't tell my loan horse that :eek: he's 18, better watch out for the grim reaper...

Seriously, I got an older horse as I wanted a school master, which sounds like what you need for your children. Do you really want to get something a lot younger and risk them injuring your children while they learn? Or having to spend time and effort training the pony. Shetlands live a long time, and I would say he would most likely be just what you need for your children.

I'm shocked by your instructor to be honest.
 
my daughters shetland is 38 this coming year he has still been hacking all summer is as fit as a fiddle and done some in hand at shows his little girl has just outgrown him a bit but will still take him on a walk in woods to keep him young and enjoying what he does, 16 is a great age for kids they have some experience under there hat and can teach them a thing or two hope it works out for you xx
 
My first pony was 17 when we bought her - took me up through lead rein to mini ODE etc, her age was never an issue. She has never technically been sold - but passes on to a new tiny jockey every 5 years or so, she's 36 and still going cubbing on the lead rein :)
 
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