WWYD new pony?

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lcharles

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My 7 year old son (8 in Feb) has built his confidence up on a shetland who we borrowed off a friend as and when. We went to gymkhanas and he did really well, however, he never really 'rode' her as you can't learn to trot on a shetland and canter was non-existant although she was quite a wizzy shetland! x So for the last 8 months he's had nothing to ride, as the shetland was sold and I couldnt buy her as she is too small for C now. He is still upset that he cant ride her anymore and does ask for a pony frequently. I have a 17.1hh which he can only sit on to ride to and from the field, but a 12.2hh pony has been advertised by me for £450. It is an 8year old, has done most things before but has been turned away since May as it hasnt had a rider, he was ridden by their friends daughter to keep him going before that. I haven't gone to see him yet but will do on Saturday with C. The pony is apparently still a bit green but that isnt an issue as long as it isnt massively spooky. The owners seem very genuine and lovely!

Realistically, C could only really ride him once a week on the weekend and occasionally in the summer evenings. I would like him to learn to jump now - as does he, and go to shows as and when possible.

The only thing i'm worried is, is:

1)I BS my horse and don't really want this to be affected (yes, selfish i know!) although we could compromise, as i'd have more shows on in general, i could give a couple up! :D

2)I am happy to muck out etc in the week for him as long as he helps out with what he can help with. He helps with mine now.

3) What if he loses interest? In theory, once the pony had been out to several shows etc it would be worth more so no reason i couldnt make money on it if I had to sell it on - although, i dont want to sell it, i want C to ride forever!! lol x

4) My horse could do with a companion and i am happy to pay for its keep. If things got hard for any reason, i could part loan him to someone at our stables! (Trying to think of 'if things go bad' too)

Thoughts please! Good or bad idea! x C is quite keen but I have sort of put him off the idea due to lack of time, but this pony seems right!! x
 
In all honestly sounds like a bad idea to me.

In very simple terms :

- The pony is green
- Will need riding more than once a week
- Should have an able rider to teach it the ropes

For all you know the pony could turn out to be a bucker, nappy or worse. You will not cure these problems with your novice son riding him once a week.

If you really want a pony, get one who has been there done that - and one that you can tack up and get on after 2 weeks without worrying what it's going to do.

No one wants to see their son carted off to Spain on a wayward pony!

Sorry negative post - but looking at it with a realistic view.
 
My first thought is that 450 is very cheap for a good kids pony, I'd be suspicious. Secondly, my daughters the same age, & the deal is that pony is her responsibility. She's always had to help from being able to walk, but at this age all daily duties are her job, & I wouldn't consider letting her have a pony if she didn't. Of course I help sometimes, if she's at a friends, taking her barrow when muckheap path boggy, carrying a bale of straw in etc. But, its her job to ask. Even when I clipped pony last week, daughter prepared it, & hot towelled after, & helped clean clippers after.
I would ask your son if he's prepared to muck out before/after school everyday, do pony when he can't ride etc. But then probably loan at first to make sure he is committed.
 
FreddiesGal said:
In all honestly sounds like a bad idea to me.

In very simple terms :

- The pony is green
- Will need riding more than once a week
- Should have an able rider to teach it the ropes

For all you know the pony could turn out to be a bucker, nappy or worse. You will not cure these problems with your novice son riding him once a week.

If you really want a pony, get one who has been there done that - and one that you can tack up and get on after 2 weeks without worrying what it's going to do.

No one wants to see their son carted off to Spain on a wayward pony!

Sorry negative post - but looking at it with a realistic view.
Click to expand...

I dont think it is that green, its just been off for a few months and might look at new fillers etc. It can be led out off my horse (without rider) twice a week if need be when i do my hacking work x I dont think the pony needs teaching the ropes of such, its done it all but will need to do more before its a true 'been there done it all' x
 
Can you not look for a share/part loan for your son? if he is only going to ride once or twice a week it doesn't seem worth all the work.
 
I would go for something older, a been there and doen that type so your son can learn. It also means you can leave the Pony and only ride occasionally when your son gets the chance.
 
I wouldn't buy it, its green and your son is young and inexperienced. Not meaning to be rude and you are obviously very good but I would be careful not to overface your son.
Where are you? There are so many ponies around here free or loan as people are desperate and you could get a nice older sensible one your sons confidence can really grow into. I would never buy a pony for a child that I couldn't see being ridden, and if it is good £450 is peanuts.
 
To be honest you say the pony seems right but from what you have imparted I would say the thing that sticks out as right is the fact that its close by, the rest doesnt seem to great

Perhaps have a shop around or maybe get a loan pony? Horse Gossip forum has a section of equines for loan. Getting a loan pony would solve many of the problem scenarios you have listed too
 
WelshD said:
To be honest you say the pony seems right but from what you have imparted I would say the thing that sticks out as right is the fact that its close by, the rest doesnt seem to great.
Click to expand...

I also thought this, nothing seemed right to me! (Except maybe the price, which also makes it wrong!)
 
I've looked at a couple for him before but they werent suitable for a variety of reasons. I've looked into loaning one but theyre arent any about.

I understand what you are all saying, and i agree with most of it, although the price is 'cheaper' i dont think its cheap, cheap for a pony that has been off since May when people are practically giving them away and with it being November! x

C will happily help with jobs as he'd have to do jobs while i ride sometimes x May have a chat with him - he's very sensible. I originally wanted to loan a pony and then buy one which he wouldnt grow out of very quickly x
 
If he's only looking to ride once, maybe twice a week (presumably in good ish weather - nothing more likely to put kids off than dragging them out in pouring rain!) would it overall not be cheaper for him to have a once a week lesson?
Even with a good doer pony, you have trims, wormer, tack, teeth, vaccs, DIY livery etc. That could easily average £30 a week which would get him a great lesson.
He could ride different types of ponies, learn lots of new stuff and not go if he didn't want to/ it was raining/ he was ill/ on holiday etc.
 
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