What would you do?...

[Honeypots]

A(novicey) friend has been to view a 14.2hh pony for her daughter.He is 7yrs old and apparently not done alot and quite green which is why he's supposedly cheap (£1800). The daughter is fairly competent and will be having regular lessons on the pony. Now the pony is being ridden in a continental on the 3rd ring. He rushes forwards when asked to canter (common in unbalanced youngsters) but settles if you sit quietly.
I haven't seen the pony and am only going on what they have told me but was a bit concerned that he was being ridden in a continental.
Would this put you off or make you wary? Would you want to see him ridden in a snaffle?

 

[Gorgeous George]

My big lad is going well in a continental bit at the moment, he isn't particularly fast or strong, but like the pony you describe his schooling needs some work and hence George is a bit unbalanced and tends to run and flatten in canter but the continental seems to help. So I wouldn't be put off so long as I knew why he was wearing it. (if you'd asked me this question 6 weeks ago I would have said, run a mile!!!)

 

[Honeypots]

Thanks... I think if it was an older, more experienced pony that was in full work I wouldn't be so unsure but for a youngster (ie not done much) I'm just a bit put off by the fact he's using a continental with a single rein on the 3rd hole! Maybe its just me then...I'm a snaffle girl.lol!!