Whats the oldest age you would buy

[stanley101]

Hi

As the title really.

Looking to buy a pony, whats the oldest age you would consider?

Also while I am here, what would your opening questions be before deciding which ponies to view.

I want a really safe pony for a slightly nervous 10 year old. So when I make inital enquiries what do I ask?

Thanks

S

 

[Kat]

For a nervous child then as long as it is healthy and over 5 the age wouldn't bother me. In fact I'd try contacting some riding schools to see whether they have any ponies that are still sound but in need of a quieter life. Ours often send ponies off to a private home when they are no longer up to the work but still useful, obviously as they are riding school ponies they are ideal for novices.

Ask around at pony club too, a veteran could be just the thing for you. Most ponies are fine in light work well into their 20s and don't need to be retired unless they get ill or injured.

 

[charlie55]

Age doesnt really mean alot, there are two fantastic safe ponies up my yard, one is 37 and is still going like a 7 year old and one is 5, they are just as safe as each other. Pony club is a fab place to start looking.

As for what age id buy, my first horse was a 16.1 hunter when i was 12, he was 18. He taught me everything and was my best friend. To me age is unimportant unless you want one for eventing etc.

Good luck x

 

[Double_choc_lab]

One very basic question would be "Is it safe?" As that often leads on to a description about what it may or may not do. I'd ask if it has ever bucked, reared, bolted. Is it considered a first pony rather than a second pony. How does it react in company and traffic. Askk for a trial period - if you don't ask you won't get. Age wouldn't worry me too much but you need to bear in mind that in a few years time your child may well outgrow it and do you have the facilities to retire a pony if you buy an elderly one now?

Best of luck it's a difficult process but just think he/she is out there somewhere at the moment.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I bought Sullivan (RIP) when he was 16 and my present horse Sunny when he was 19, and Sunny is still going strong at 23, though slowing down a little. In my experience, anything up to early to mid 20s will hopefully give you many years of safe riding. But with a 37 year old horse you have to accept that it is nearing the end of its life even if it is still hoolying around with the best of them. Just a heads up with the 5 yr old, they still have a lot of maturing to do at that age and a sweet and biddable 5 yr old can go through a phase where he tries to call the shots and so he becomes the spawn of Satan for a while!

 

[Chunkie]

My mare lives with her 28 yr old mother, who I would buy tomorrow if I was in a postion to.

It does help that I have known her for 10 years, but she has never been lame, lives out and is the safest ride and drive I have ever met - although she does pull like a steam train on the way home!