Which second pony dilemma.

[PinkvSantaboots]

Defo pony 1

 

[gallopingby]

Pony no 1 but as an aside if pony no 2 will need regular shoeing / farrier attention unless your husband is a farrier or you have a tame one available at the drop of a hat a pony requiring a high level of farrier attention could stop play just when you’re expecting to go somewhere.

 

[maya2008]

Yup I think it can work if it’s not their only ride and they’re keen but plenty of time to do babies in the future if she really wants that experience (I’ve never been convinced I want it/would be up to it)

I agree about having something else alongside, plus a ton more experience than just one lead rein/first ridden! My ten year old went from naughty Shetland (liked to dump him on the floor if she disapproved of his riding, had a good line in wiping him off on trees, galloping back home when she’d had enough of the hack…not in any way a first ridden!!!) to backing another Shetland or two for friends (literally just backing and riding away) to naughty local problem pony (older) which he retrained to remove the running off problem, to 13.2hh SJ schoolmaster, to backing and bringing on his own. He has access to my husband’s sane and sensible cob if at any time he needs a break, and has ridden a made pony on the bit, dealt with sharp behaviour and needing to ride precisely on something that knows what it’s doing. Even so, it has been a huge, if enjoyable, learning curve, and it’s that much slower for him having never done it before. Bringing on a pony all the way to ‘made’ of a size that needs to be schooled more correctly, isn’t easy!

 

[Snow Falcon]

Option 1 without question of a doubt!

 

[wills_91]

Number 1!

I was slightly older (at 13) & ended up with a young, green ISP, despite lots of support & being confident & gutsy it ended in disaster and I really lost my nerve and missed out on a lot of things with friends who had older/more established ponies.

Hope she has many happy adventures with her new friend

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

First time posting in a long time but I have a dilemma I would like some feedback on from those more experienced than me.


My 10 year old daughter has hopelessly outgrown our wonderful lead rein/first ridden pony of 8 years and we are looking for a second pony to loan (not in the position to buy due to a covid delayed house renovation). She is a great little rider, very light but tall, who wants something forward going to do pony club, show jumping and general fun stuff. We have excellent support at our livery yard and regular lessons both there and out at PC. We have 2 strong potentials lined up but struggling to decide which to go for - in an ideal world we'd take both but it would be a stretch on finances for a couple of months until the house project is done.

Pony 1 is a 17 year old 13.1 lightweight cob who has done all PC activities and is currently jumping BSJA club classes at 75cm with a 14 year old rider. Would be easy to get straight out and about on. Does have one slight health condition but under control with correct feeding.

Pony 2 is a 4 year old 14.1 welsh part bred being rehomed from a very large equine charity. Been there since a yearling and well handled and ready to start groundwork followed by backing. Hooves not the greatest and will need regular trims/shoes once in work.

I'm torn between letting my daughter get out there competing almost straight away and giving her the valuable experience of producing a pony of her own....what do I do??

def the first one, a 4 year old pony needs lots of time and schooling, something your daughter may not be in the position to do. She wants something to ride now and have fun now as it is her first pony.

Also there is no sure way of knowing what the young horse is going to be like ridden, you pay for someone to break it in which is expensive and trainers to ride, school it, also bitting the pony all takes time, and your daughter wants to go out and have fun on, something a young horse of four wont be able to do confidently till at least 6.

 

[ponynutz]

Number 1!

I was slightly older (at 13) & ended up with a young, green ISP, despite lots of support & being confident & gutsy it ended in disaster and I really lost my nerve and missed out on a lot of things with friends who had older/more established ponies.

Hope she has many happy adventures with her new friend

This happened to me too except I was 10. Still have pony now but she was a 4 year old sassy 13.2 connie originally and there were MANY tears growing up with her...

 

[twiggy2]

Wouldn't even consider pony no 2
Pony 1 sounds perfect

 

[SadKen]

I would totally go for pony number 2.


If I wanted my child to give up riding in the near future <evil grin, considers fuller wallet>

 

[Above the snowline]

NUMBER ONE - confidence is easy to lose and hard to get back

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Definitely pony 1

 

[Melody Grey]

Pony 1, no question.

As adults, we can see the perks of option 2 but a child cannot. What if after all that work option 2 turns out to be just too sharp/ spooky? At least You know what you’re signing up for with option 1!!

 

[WelshD]

Definitely option 1

For me pony 2 is a double whammy but in a bad way, its ability will mean your child will miss out on a lot of fun with friends and its height will eventually possibly put your child in higher jumping/PC classes/groups away from her peers

12/13 is a nice age for a capable child to get a project pony with parental help but even then I would run it alongside something established.

 

[BallyJ]

Number 2!!!

(just trying to stir things up )