Which second pony dilemma.

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lrw0250

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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??
 
As your daughter is still quite young I think the first pony sounds the better option. The ready made pony will help your daughter to further develop her riding, which will put her in a better position to work with a younger horse in the future.

At 10 children can also struggle a little with patience, perspective and longer-term planning, so it is likely that she would get more enjoyment out of the pony she can get straight out and about with now rather than having to put a couple of years' worth of work into the novice pony before it is in the same position.

If you are happy to manage the health condition then the first pony sounds like a good choice as a second pony loan.
 
option 1 100%. wouldn't even consider the second option - your daughter will miss out on years of fun with friends and getting out and about. youngsters can be tough and can often put childrens' confidence and riding back a lot when they hit the normal bumps of bringing a baby on
 
Definitely pony no 1. cant imagine why you would consider the second! Hope she has a grand time.
 
It's just not that Pony 2 needs backing, it first needs the groundwork before the backing, and you said it doesn't have the greatest hooves. As they say, no hooves no horse, the charity have had the pony for 3 years, if the hooves could be easily fixed by regular trimming, why are they still of such a quality that you thought them worthy of being mentioned?

It's clearly yet another vote for Pony 1 from me. Even though you know what you're getting with Pony 1, it's not a machine, there will be plenty enough for your daughter to learn choosing this option.
 
Made pony. I have a 10 year old child. However tall and good a rider they are, a 14.1hh just backed pony is going to be very difficult to manage for them and it won’t be fun. I absolutely would not do it for mine, and he has brought on 3 ponies from backing in the last year - all around 12hh though so he has a chance when they do baby stuff and play up.
 
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)
 
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