What type of pony should my parents get my little brother?

[Jen_e_Jen]

My mother and I were talking last night and i told her how much I would like my 9 yr old brother to get into horses. I have given him a few lessons and he does very well. He is very small for his age, only weighing about 4 stone. He loves riding, and has told me several times he'd like a horse of his own. My mother is going to work on my step dad and try to get Austin a pony or a small horse, so I thought I should maybe ask all you pony experts for some advice. Especially since I have NO experience with ponies.

Ideally, I need something that I can ride as well. Since he is a beginner I need to be able to try it and work some of the kinks out if needed. Of course I'd want something old enough to be mature, but young enough that they'll have a few years together. Who knows, maybe I'll have children w/in the next few years too.

Here in the US ponies are not nearly as prevalent as in the UK. I've looked about a little on some of the selling sites, and mostly I've seen Welshies, a few Connemaras(pricier) Shetlands, a few POAs(Pony of the Americas), and of course some Arab/welsh crosses or small arabs, small Morgans, and some Quarter Ponies.

Do you think we'd better off getting a small "horse" for him or a pony?

Are there any breeds of pony or pony mixes that are especially good as a childs first pony?

How small could we go since I'll need to be able to try it out and do the occasional refresher? (I'm 5'7", and about 10.5 stone. Soon to be less, at the end of the month I'll start working for a local breeder finishing youngsters, exercising finished horses, and doing groundwork with yearlings 3-5 days a week. Hopefully I'll work off some more flab,lol)

Is there any general advice you think I should know?
Here are a few examples of what I've seen available so far. I just picked them out of the bunch because they're kind of along the lines of what I think might work.

http://dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1321617
http://dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1313180
http://dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1315481

ps. Color isn't important, just needs to be suitable for childs first.

Congrats if you got thru all that!

[Jen_e_Jen]

Here are some random pics as a reward for reading a long post.
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk109/Jen_e_Jen/blanket002.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk109/Jen_e_Jen/blanket001.jpg
Here Ma, I'll help!

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk109/Jen_e_Jen/10-4004.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk109/Jen_e_Jen/10-4006-1.jpg
My shepherds, Thor and Powder.

[gb050573]

So funny - before I saw the ads I was going to suggest a Chincoteague Pony!! But out of those three you have posted I think the first gelding sounds lush - I'd have him a a flash! Nice height for you and your brother as well.

[Jen_e_Jen]

Thanks gb! He is gorgeous isn't he? I had considered a Chincoteague, but they tend to be a little small for me to ride I think. (Mom has always wanted one too.)lol.

[gb050573]

I read all the Misty books as a child and have wanted one ever since!

I do like that gelding though, he sounds ideal.

[igloo]

both the first and second look nice.
my only worry with the first is that i think 14hh would be a bit too big for someone weighing 4 stone?

[laceyfreckle]

I think the second looks good for what you want it for and 13.2hh is a nice height. My 9yr old weighs 3 and a half stone and is happiest on 13.3 and under

[cloudandmatrix]

how about a welsh sec a? they can carry 6 stone and woulld be right size if got 12hh. matrix was the best first pony ever. kind, safe, sensible loves fuss will hack out with big horses and keep up, i would take him 4 gallops alone wich he loved and always came back- in an eggbut jointed snaffle and utterly gorgeus!! shame bout his hocks.

[Parsnip]

I'd say that it was more important to decide whatyou want the pony to do rather than what type it should be. Draw up a list of the things you will expect from the pony - i.e. good to handle; picks up feet for a child; easy to catch etc. unless of course you are planning to show.

That said Welsh sec A's are very popular children's ponies - ours is a saint - only 11 HH and comfortably ridden by my nearly eight year old daughter. More importantly daughter can do everything with her.

as an afterword I'd have thought that Chincoteague ponies were hard to get! I too read the Misty books as a child and had the luck to ride Stormy (Misty's foal) when I was about 12 (Stormy was very old at the time). they are a nice little pony but essentially very much of the Welsh type!