Why so many young first ridden/lead rein ponies?

[Holly_09]

Hi all,

I've found out I'm expecting a girl in June so in preperation I'm having a bit of a browse at the lead rein/first ridden ponies for sale- just in case you understand

However, I'm really surprised at the amount of ponies I've seen who are still very young- about 4-7 years old- and being advertised as suitable.
Now I totally believe that some youngsters do have the ability to be perfectly safe and bombproof, but I can't believe how many I've been seeing for sale.

Is there a reason for this? Enlighten me!

Thanks

 

[Enfys]

Congratulations.

I suppose one reason could be that a certain 'type' of pony are only suitable to be advertised as LR/FR or driving due to their size.

As you say, it depends entirely on their individual temperament as to how worldly wise they are, but I think if a 4 year old has been out and about since a 2/3 year old at shows/walking about/long reining general bombproofing (and most responsible trainers do that with their babies pre-riding) etc then there is no reason that they can't be reliable.

One of the best ever LR/FR ponies I had was a 6 year old mare, absolute diamond, my daughter went from LR to doing junior PC dressage, hunting and riding on thousands of acres of mountain with her in one year. I was incredibly lucky to find a 13h version of her.

Don't be put off by age Anyway, by the time your baby is old enough to be doing LR a 4 year old bought now will be a 6/7 year old.