What height/type of pony would you get for a 4 year old?

[Guignol]

I am after everyone's opinions as to what is the best type of pony to get for my 4 year old daughter. She does rising trot, goes hunting, etc.

I am a small adult (8stone, 5'0) so can bring them on/ride if necessary.

Would you get a 12.2 which would last a little longer or a 11.2/12 hands?

I am not sure whether to get a section A or B. She is a big girl and quite sturdy. Not fat, very tall.

 

[asbo]

We got a Sec A which my tall 12 yr old has outgrown but my 8 yr old is still ok on her, she is 11.1hh.

 

[be positive]

I would look for the "right" pony, it may be a little smaller or bigger than ideal but it is the temperament that is so important. Same with breed, unless you have a desire to do M&M classes it does not matter, a good pony can be of any type.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

I wouldn't worry about the type- look for temperament first! I would go for an 11.2hh pony and if she grows out of it, and it's been proved to be a good first pony you'll always have a market- just make sure she's at pony club, and seen on the hunting field with it!

 

[Guignol]

I am worried about over horsing her - might i do that with a 12.2?

 

[FMM]

My son had a 11 hh section A when he was 5 and this lasted him until he was 10! He is now on a 12.2 show pony but his legs are growing.

Here is how the type can make more difference than the height! Both pics were taken within a few days of each other.

Pony 2 (12.2)

Pony 1 (11hh)

and when my son was about 5 when we first bought the 11hhpony

 

[maree t]

Depends on the pony really. Bought my daughter a 12hh welsh sec a last year (she is 13 next week she only weighs 4 and a half stone) but she does mounted games so perfect. So many struggle to vault and even get on their own ponies but it depends what you want to do with it.
I always felt that it was important that they could get on but she should be fine on a 12hh if she is tall. I hate having to change ponies so mine were stuck with their 11hh shettie cross for too long but they had such a good relationship with her and then moved two jumps up.

 

[FMM]

A good child's pony will always be easy to resell (I didn't even advertise the 11hh pony) - and you won't lose money either. So maybe buy a smaller one and then get a larger one when the child is bigger. It is so easy to put them off when they are little, particularly if they are handling the pony as well.

I only buy if the temperament is right - I don't actually care what they look like, and both my son's ponies were the first ones I had gone to see.

 

[Tammytoo]

My five year old's first pony was a Sec A, 12.2. Admittedly he was an older pony 18 y.o (4 y.o. in his head!) but he had been there, done it all and got six t.shirts! My son had so much fun on him and learnt so much from him for five years and I rode him as well to keep him exercised (I'm 5' 3" 81/2 stone). He was loaned out then for another five years and just died in the field from a heart attack (we think) at 28.

Don't overlook the older ponies, they have a lot to give and teach and I am sure your little girl would have more fun on a made pony.

 

[mulledwhine]

We got my daughter a sec A, 12hh I so feel that he is a bit to big for her ( she is 6 now) but the plus side is she hopefully will have for many years to come.

She has got her feet out of her stirrups on this photo ( naughty girl) and I wish he was a hand shorter.

But he is the right pony for us in terms of longevity together, and he is a little super star

 

[Guignol]

Great pictures everyone!!

I guess you are all right - some 11.2 can be bigger than a12.2 depending on their build etc.

ummm.... and then of course as mentioned - a golden oldie or a youngster. I wish I knew someone moving out of their ponies trading up. the temperament is key I totally agree but sadly so many sellers (and buyers!) don't always tell thr truth so very nervous... Like when you buy a car - you get good ones and not so good ones!!!

Thank you for your time everyone

 

[mulledwhine]

Don't forget though, some oldies are much sillier than youngsters, I know of a few, our boy was 13 when we got him, not that old for a pony of his size, but he is a pocket rocket

A friend has a 6 year old who is as steady and trustworthy as any school master, infact my daughter jumps him independently , some thing she ATM deffiantly can not do own her own mount.

Goodluck in your search, the right one is out there for you

 

[Guignol]

Good point there MulledWhine...

Eek....

 

[peaceandquiet1]

For a child that young, I would stick to the under 12hh category. My eight year old is on a 12.2 now, and truthfully he is too big for her!

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

My first pony was at least 18 when we got her- she was pts three years ago the other side of 30!! She was being taken out for a walk twice a week up until she was well into her 30s and was still happy!

She taught three of us, took us to pony club and shows. I saw a picture of her at my sister's MILs a few months ago- it was taken when the pony was 6 years old! the MIL said that was the best pony she had ever ridden- she'd learnt everything on it, and was so upset when the owner decided to sell her!

She had been sold 2 miles away from there to the other side of our the village (and lived in our friend's house which was stables and a coach house at that point) then moved to anthoer village 3 miles up the road and then came to us!! these ponies don't tend to move very far!!

 

[nikCscott]

I don't over horse her too much if you can help it.

But always temperament 1st

This is my 5 year old (1.20 tall and athletically built and wears age 8 clothes) on her 11hh sec a.

 

[Ladylina83]

How cute is she ?

My Sis is pretty dinky for her age as she had wiered hang ups about food when she was tiny but this is her 5 years ago now aged 6 on a borrowed section a racing me in the school one handed ! Notice my mare is not best pleased about this small child going whoop at the side of us and me letting them win lol he is 11.3

We did some shows galloping in stubble fields big jumping etc on this pony and he was soo lovely ! She also clocked up about 20 of the 100 falls she needs to become a propper rider !

Have you thought of advertising / joining local pony club ? I know that most pony club mums would like to keep treasured friends in the pony club family and many don't get advertised just passed from family to family to look after younger children !

 

[PennyJ]

I would buy the sweetest kindest little pony I could find, ideally around 11hh, but would be flexible on that. Would also be flexible on age, the old ones can be lovely, equally they could have learnt every trick in the book. I hate to say it, but I would also be less minded to go for a welshie or shetland as they can be such little horrors (of course there are nice ones too, I do accept that).

Bottom line is, it depends whether or not you are trying to put her off riding! Assuming you aren't, I would put word out (the best ones are never advertised, there is often a waiting list for them) in every place you can, pony club, even if you aren't members you've nothing to lose by contacting the DC, feed merchants, riding club, anyone horsey whose opinion you value. You never ever know who has a much loved "tiny" sitting in a field because they can't bear to go through the process of selling, yet they might well do if the right person came along and asked them.

Finally of course, you never ever take the child along with you to the first viewing because they would say yes to anything, however unsuitable it might be and then you would need to deal with the tears and tantrums when you said NO, and suffer the embarrassment of dragging them out kicking and screaming!!!

Be prepared to pay Good Money for a genuine one that is just as happy (and trustworthy) on or off the lead rein. There are so many adverts that euphemistically say "more of a first than a second pony".

 

[LilMissy]

I seem to have collected small ponies in the last few years!

Just sold a 12hh 10yr old sec a/b mare to a lady with a four and a half yr old son. Little mare was fantastic with children, on and off lead rein, even came to our winter BBQ which had a bonfire and gave the kids little rides up and down. She enjoyed the bread rolls! Miss her and would happily have her back! Has apparently given the little boy back his confidence re riding and grooming within a week.

Also have two other sec a's - one on loan as a lead rein pony but shortly coming back - he has been out for two years with a four year old boy, now 6 but only 11hh and more lightly built than the others. Again has the best temperament.

Then have an 11h dun sec a mare who although only rising 5, I backed last year to a basket saddle and has been fantastic! She wont come to the gate to speak to adults but if you have a pushchair or small child she is there like a shot. She never nips children, will always very very carefully sniff hands and accept 'treats' gently. My little girl is too young to know not to offer so she will regularly hold out bits of hay/grass she has picked up from the floor to offer to 'her' pony.

I think the important factor with all of them is thier naturally calm temperament, patience (with a haynet!) and inbuilt love of small people! Oh and being bold as well - its lovely to take out a newly backed pony who doesnt create because thier friends in the field are calling them and just enjoys being out and about and doing!

I have also had a few shetlands around and generally didnt feel that they had the same instinct with kids. Just my personal opinion but would always look at the welshie first. Although of course it is down to the individual pony and thier upbringing!

I would also agree with NOT taking your child on first viewing. Do all the things you expect from a pony yourself first and if possible get the sellers child onboard but I think you would know almost immediately if its not the right one for your family.

 

[Bikerchickone]

I bought my then 4 year old daughter an 11.1hh Welsh A from a pony club home, supposedly pony was a been there done it all etc safe LR and First Ridden and being as my daughter was still on the LR at the time I didn't see the pony ridden properly off the LR. This mare was an absolute star as a LR pony but turned out to have a huge buck when ridden off LR in canter. Almost destroyed my daughter's riding career, and all because I trusted the seller and didn't see it ridden properly. My daughter is now 8 and although this pony would still have been plenty big enough for her I had to sell her on. (I was completely honest and she's gone to be a LR pony for an 18month old child with strict instructions not to take off LR!) I took a huge loss on the pony having paid for a "totally safe" pony and then had to buy made to measure saddle etc in the process of getting her back checked to resolve bucking issues, but ultimately she's now in a forever home as a LR only. If I could do it over again I would make sure I looked for temperament rather than type, saw the pony many times before buying, and regardless of size I think I'd go for the one most likely to take my daughter where she wants to go. Unfortunately the whole experience has put my OH off so much that he won't even consider buying another one! I'd strongly suggest don't worry about the height ot type just get the right pony for both of you, and make sure you see it ridden in every possible way! Good luck.

 

[pugsandponies]

I have also had a few shetlands around and generally didnt feel that they had the same instinct with kids. Just my personal opinion but would always look at the welshie first. Although of course it is down to the individual pony and thier upbringing!

QUOTE]

I totally agree with this! Although perhaps I'm slightly biased as I LOVE Sec A's. My first loan pony was an 11.3 Sec A who lasted me until I was 11, and he was lovely! Would happily jump almost anything, and was (usually!) sensible out hunting and competing, I learned tons from him. More recently, as I am quite small and lightweight, I have helped a friend break and bring on a Sec A and a Sec B for her boys, and they are both really fab ponies who genuinely do seem to love the kids. I've never come across a Shetland to 'look after' their jockey so much.

 

[mcnaughty]

This is fantastic chance to show off our Welsh As!! Here is my 5.5yo daughter on her 11.2 Basil at their first ridden show. As you can see there is plenty of room for growth there. Rebecca is very average in height and build for her age.

 

[maree t]

Bikerchickone what was the ponies name out of curiosity ........................

 

[mulledwhine]

^^^^ that sounds a lot like my boy, strong but perfect for LR until you go to canter, and woo hoo, a couple of bucks!!!!

Yes the first time she went over his head, and suddenly the mummy in me went mad, but... She did need to know that would happen once in a while, and to be fair the knock in confidence has been a positive one, she now accepts she can't do everything on her own, so the arguments have stopped

 

[minesadouble]

My four year old has an 11hh section A, pic of her at her first show last summer age 3;-

I've also recently bought a 12hh RP gelding schoolmaster for her, she's now 4;-

She looks like a speck on both of them!

 

[Tuffles 23]

We have a 11hh sec a for my nearly 10 yo little girl and she is no way outgrown yet (my 12 yo son rides her also) she has such a deeo girth it takes up the leg we where looking for a 12.2 but came across little poppy and just had to take her home , she is the sweetest little monkey ever and my daughter falls off every outher day (trying to do things she's not ready for) and has now told me she is keeping her for ever
good luck pony shopping and look at all sorts as the right pony may not be what you may think you are looking for

 

[Guignol]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It has helped me a lot. I LOVE seeing the pictures! The ponies are adorable. You are all very right with your advice.

It is scary buying a pony (or a horse) as sadly people don't always tell the truth or simply kidding themselves to what their pony is capable of. Luckily there are honest people out there so the aim is to find them!!!

Sorry to hear about some of your experiences. It is such a shame...

To those with the super ponies out there, your children are very lucky and hope they are having lots of fun

 

[JodieCrisp]

I think it depends on how easy/controllable the pony is and also how confident your child is. If she is quite confident then a 12.2hh would be fine for her and would last her for longer. But if you want to raise her confidence then a slightly smaller pony 11.2hh would make her feel more in control.