Where to Find a Small First Pony?

measles

measles

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We have decided, having read some recent posts on the forum, that our son who will soon be 4yo and who is as keen as mustard is probably about the right age to get a small kind first pony.

Safety is absolutely paramount but I thought of trying to find a pony who has shown as a LR/FR so that it is used to being away from home and staying mannerly in the big, bad world. Also, if the pony would go off the lead eventually then we could keep it for longer (ie a really long time!)

Do those of you who have small children and have introduced them to riding early think this is wise and where (apart from H&H) might I look for this paragon?
 
Try your local Pony Club. Although good first ponies are like gold dust! I have got an ex show pony, although in hand, and he is very sharp, so I wouldn't really recommend one. Can't tar them all with the same brush, though.
 
In my experience, you'll find it difficult to find anything small which will both do well in the show ring AND be good for a child to learn on at home.
We went and viewed lots, and viewed alot of duds before we found our prince. They were either good on the LR and complete gits off, or good on both but ugly as sin. Those few ponies which are stars in the ring but double up as a perfect kids pony at home tend to be loaned within the showing world. To buy that sort of thing you would be looking at alot of money.

TBH I would advise to make a decision about exactly what you want. Either a show pony or a good first pony. A first pony will need to be good with kids grooming it, good natured and steady as a rock.
We ended up getting a shettie, which we can show at local level. He's a star with the kids, goes on and off LR, and is virtuallly unflappable. It took me about 4 or 5 months to find him.

When you view a kids pony ask to see photos of it's showing history, ask question after question and if in any doubt whatsoever never put your child on it to 'try'. My son was bucked off of a 'first pony' we were viewing and refused to try any after that.
 
If I were you I would approach local pony club branch secretarys they are bound to know of some much-loved little gems!

www.pcuk.org you can find your local branches and the numbers/email for the secretarys who quite possibly keep a list of little ponies who have been there, done it and are ready to do it all again!
 
Thanks for the responses. Until just after I had our youngest I was ADC of our local PC but to be honest the standard of pony (in fact almost all size of pony) was pretty low and I can only recall a few that I would have had for my children. But, I take the point that most branches will have some fab ponies that are "booked" well in advance and we may be lucky enough to get a chance at one of these.

Will keep searching!
 
I know of a lead rein pony coming up for sale, she i wouldnt say not safe off the lead, she just more confident on the lead and also reg and of show quality, is sweet with children that are kind, but will not suffer fools gladly, she only ever snapped her teeth at one child who really annoyed her badly pulling her about, but i used to leave my baby asleep in the stable with her in his pram, she has been sadly outgrown by her new owner and isnt confident enough off the lead for the requirments of the confident daughter anymore.
 
I have two children aged 4 and 5 who have both been riding since they were 2. We have three ponies and it took a long time and a lot of looking to get the right ones. We have one 11HH who is totally bombproof on and off the LR (lazy if the truth be known) and two (11.2 and 12HH) who are show quality and do reasonably well and have been good off the lead rein (on the whole). We have had our occasional spooks, spins, and naughty at a show moments and need our wits about us as the pony/small child combo is not so great at times!! However, on the ground they (the ponies - can't vouch for the kids) have never kicked, bitten or barged and seem to know not to mess with the kids. They will put up with hours of grooming and hugging so they are worth their weight in gold. Horsequest often has some good ponies advertised but I have to admit we have travelled some good distances to look. We also had a couple on trial which worked out well as 2 were definitely not suitable once we got them home so I would recommend asking for a trial. We have been lucky to find genuine mums/dads who have been honest and understanding about safety and have kept in contact after the sale to check all OK. You will know when it is right but you just have to keep looking in as many places as you can and be prepared to travel a bit!!
 
When I was looking for a first ridden for my daughter I hunted far and wide, travelled miles, bothered every PC within Wales, advertised, went to sales, and then found the perfect pony in someones back garden 10 minutes away from home advertised in the yellow paper with no pictures or anything. Took the lorry to view her, child rode her bareback up and down the parking lot and we loaded her up and took her home there and then.

It's really hit and miss, as a PC person you will have seen every sort under the sun I imagine. We had a lovely lead rein pony (safe on the ground too) but let him off the lead and he turned into the spawn of satan in a second
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Finding one that ticks all the boxes isn't easy. I had a hard enough job finding a 13.2 back in the UK. You never know, someone on here may have just the thing for you.

Good Luck in your search
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