Would I be unreasonable to:

maya2008

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Make a unilateral decision to just advertise the two smallest ponies given that no one can decide who they want to keep and who can go and it is driving me mad?

10 ponies in residence:
- 2 two year olds
- 8 in work ranging from 12hh to 14hh with various temperaments and schooling stages

Too many to ride, the time needed is insane with winter coming. No obvious candidates for rehoming but the smallest two have had sharers all summer and are the ‘teach a kid to ride’ type - very sweet and kind. Kids’ legs are below tummy just about on one and close to the edge on the other. So come next summer both children will be huge on them. Sharers are fading away as school and winter approach - leaving bored ponies who we then need to exercise.

They’re the logical choice, right? 🙈 (I’m just a little too attached to see this clearly I think!)
 
Will the two smaller ones still have sharers over the winter? If yes it might be worth looking at selling/loaning a couple of different ones, to reduce the amount further,
 
Whatever I do will upset someone but you are all totally right - 10 is an insane amount for winter even with the kids helping. It would be £600 per month in hay alone for Jan-Mar!

Smallest one has the most adorable sharer, but she comes inconsistently and contributes less than the hay will cost per month. She also doesn’t come if it rains - that will be the whole winter won’t it?!! My biggest concern is that soon the only way we will be able to exercise her is by ponying her and that’s not a long term option for a 4 year old 12hh pony who adores tiny children and will stand at the gate on sharer days to watch for her friend. I do adore her though. She is so cute and has been here from a weanling.

12.2hh is beyond sweet and easy and safe and I can just stick a child on her and not worry about absolutely anything. Lorries coming at us at speed? No bother. Weird things flapping in the hedge? Motorway bridges? Kids having meltdowns? She is just endlessly sweet. She also has this cute grandma mode where she will override any truly unwise child decisions and just return them to mother. Want to turn around and go home alone in a strop? Oh no you don’t. Want to jump but aren’t balanced? We’ll climb over it until a more appropriately sized jump is presented. Want to canter on slippery ground or walk down a dangerous slope? Also no. Love her so much. So very very much. She has kindly taken care of everyone we have ever popped on her from terrified beginner upwards.

But yes she could do that job for someone else. Some of them just catch your heart when you are not watching!
 
Will the two smaller ones still have sharers over the winter? If yes it might be worth looking at selling/loaning a couple of different ones, to reduce the amount further,
Their sharers are younger/more nervous so are not likely to ride in wind/rain/cold. One outgrew the bigger pony this summer and the other only comes if the weather is fair and the child’s mother has time.

I am considering finding sharers for some of the others, yes. It’s no great saving on time because some supervision (at least me poo picking in the background to ensure they behave) is needed. Helps with cost though!
 
Sounds like you could name your price for the 12.2, she sounds fantastic! It's a tough decision but think how much easier it would be over winter with 2 fewer, plus the money from selling in the first place.
 
I need a 15.2 version of that 12.2!!

Someone who would make my life decisions 😁
I have a 16.2 version. When I first had him I think I had PTSD from my previous horse and couldn't jump a spread over about 40cm. I'd try but he knew my heart wasn't in it so we'd gently walk over it or even through it when I'd mastered smaller ones and it went up to about 75cm! As soon as I knew he would do that, all of a sudden I could do it!
 
Make a unilateral decision to just advertise the two smallest ponies given that no one can decide who they want to keep and who can go and it is driving me mad?

10 ponies in residence:
- 2 two year olds
- 8 in work ranging from 12hh to 14hh with various temperaments and schooling stages

Too many to ride, the time needed is insane with winter coming. No obvious candidates for rehoming but the smallest two have had sharers all summer and are the ‘teach a kid to ride’ type - very sweet and kind. Kids’ legs are below tummy just about on one and close to the edge on the other. So come next summer both children will be huge on them. Sharers are fading away as school and winter approach - leaving bored ponies who we then need to exercise.

They’re the logical choice, right? 🙈 (I’m just a little too attached to see this clearly I think!)
Someone on here was asking about where to find a first ridden pony so might be worth a search, I would think they would be easy to sell if they are sensible and genuine first ponies
 
@Orangehorse and @Patterdale are both looking for ponies: wouldn’t it be great if you could work that out?! I think possibly they’re looking for bigger ponies, although an acquaintance has been riding a 12hh Exmoor (?) recently.

I have already had one of maya2008’s ponies and he was an absolute poppet 💕

We are sorted for now though - but thanks for thinking of us!
 
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