Advice please! Mother and daughter pony share

[foxglove]

Hello all - Could I ask for some advice? I am looking into the possibility of buying a pony for my daughter and I to share. We are both novices, (although I used to own a New Forest gelding when I was younger!), so I am not seriously looking until next summer, when we both have a bit more experience and confidance.

My daughter will be 7 (and very tall!) and I am about 5'7" and 12.5 st.

Do you have any suggestions as to what breed would be suitable, please? Also could you give me some idea how much it would cost to keep a hardy pony (Out at grass 24/7) on a monthly basis?
Thanks so much!
Sarah

[maverick927]

I recommend a good, hardy native pony. they ahve really good temperament and aren't too big. Even if you legs are a bit long, the pony will have no bother carrying your weight, and then your daugther will still have a pony to grow into.

just have a look ardound when you do decided to get a pony. If you try a number of ponies, you will get to have a feel off how both you and your daughter react towards the horse, and how the horse is towards you

Good Luck!

[Crazyhorse]

Hi

Sarah , sorry that this is a bit off topic but I noticed that you live in the Isle of Wight. I plan to move there next year and wondered if you had any experience of the riding schools on the Island. I'm looking at the Ryde/Binstead area and realise that Brickfields is pretty close.

Would be most grateful for any info

Thanks Vicky:D

[Gemma16]

Hi, I too like Maverick would recomend a good Native pony too. I have a welsh section D. You can get natives in a wide variety of sizes so you shouldn't worry about being to big for a 'pony'.

But saying that you don't nesseserily need a native or a cob just because your pony will have to live out all year. with good rugs, shelter and plenty of food most horses could live out full time. and by popular opinion they are much happier out 24/7.

But I do suggest natives or native cross. They are brilliant.:D
This is mine Taffy (sorry people you know me show him off at any possible chance:D )

[foxglove]

ohh Gemma - Hes lovely!!

I think Brickfields is one of the best stables on the Island for facilities - It has a big enclosed arena, Lots of instructors etc. The other BHS registered stables on the IOW is in Godshill - not too far away from Ryde.

Good luck with your move !!

Sarah

[Yann]

I'm a dad sharing with a daughter, though ours is in the horse bracket height wise at 15.1 and is also a welsh cob. My daughter was a very tall 7 year old when we got her and has never had any trouble riding or handling her. Any native would be suitable but I'd say temperament was the most important thing by far, you need a mount you can trust to look after your little treasure:D

Not sure what livery prices are like down your way but up here I'd guess that the overall cost of keeping a hardy pony at grass including feed and shoes etc. would be somewhere round the £100 to £120 a month mark.

[FellRider]

Hi, Foxglove, I would just like to say that I too being a mum of two boys looked for what I thought would be most suitable for us all. I looked at size and temprament and chose a fell pony who is 13.2 and capable of carrying me (9stone) and even carries my partner who is 12 stone. However, although I have had 3 horses of varying sizes in the past, and my children are novices, I quickly realised that our pony is not suitable for the children at all. He is very strong, can be stubborn and actually takes all my strength to ride him sometimes. Some days he can be as good as gold but others days he can be very difficult. He is a bit fat and doesn't like to do an ounce of work more than he has to so the children just cannot get him motivated. Luckily, I can ride him and have great plans for him. He is strong willed but has a lovely temperament and is bomb proof as far as you can say that for any pony although he will always buck when asked to canter! ANyway hope your search is successful. P.S. I phoned about a dales pony on the Isle of Wight. He was a grey 14.1 but this was about 2 months ago. Look on www.horsequest. He might still be for sale. Good luck.

[foxglove]

thanks for the tip - I couldnt find him on horsequest, so I guess hes in a new home!

[CLou]

Hi Foxglove

I have had Bonny since June. She is 14.2 hh Welsh Section D - I am 5'7" with 2 lads 6 and 7..... they haven't got started on her yet, but they will soon enough!! She is as straight as they come - not a bad bone in her body...she's not the bravest girl in the world but I'm not the bravest rider!! I trust her enough to start the lads on though which speaks volumes.
She's very hardy and could quite easily live out 24/7, however, I have brought her in now for (my) piece of mind!
I would definitely get livery somewhere where you have use of a stable....you never know when you might need it...also a menage would be a real bonus, especially for your daughter. Also, if you can buy a pony through word-of-mouth that would be a plus ...it's a mine field out there. I bought Bonny totally blind but I've been very lucky.

I thought 14.2 hh would be a good size - She's absolutely fine for me and whilst she may be a little on the large side for the lads at the present time, they are a pair of bruisers and it won't be long before they are up and running. A little girl (same age as my lads) at our place quite happily rides a 14.2 welshie and has done for some time - but I think that's girls for you!!

Good luck.....my life has taken a very positive turn (I had major "committment phobia nightmares" before getting her!!) I'm sure you and your daughter will have many happy times ahead of you.

[shandy84]

Hiya,

I would totally suggest a larger new forest probably a gelding for you. They are cute and cuddly yet they know what they are doing if trained well and are great ponies to get confidence on. I paid at a livery for a hardy girl aprox £120 a month not including any supplementary feeding like a mix I pay in rented grazing aprox £95 a month everything included in that. It's not cheap but it is rewarding!

[Katy]

Try contacting Chantelle @ Jigsaw Equestrian, she is based on the Isle of Wight and is very helpful.

Good Luck

Kate

[LindaAd]

I think you're just as likely to find a cross-breed that suits you, once you've got an idea of the size and type you're looking for.

And just a warning: when you're working out how much it costs to keep a pony, allow some extra every month for emergencies: the small problem that needs a vet but isn't worth claiming on the insurance for (Ginny had an infected eye last month, we haven't had the bill yet, but it took three visits and two sorts of medicine - maye £60?); the lost shoe, the broken stirrup leather, the trashed rug......

[tubby]

LindaAd You'll be lucky to get away with £60, it costs me more than that for a visit for his vaccinations.

[abi]

my mum and i share Barney, though recently as she doesnt like riding very much and doesnt have a lot of time anymore, sharing is really good because he still gets ridden by me! we share the yard and field duties too, whoever gets there first gets the priveledge!! usually me hehe i run from the school bus!!
we own barney a 14.3 welsh, hes really verging on the small side for both of us now, but we will never properly grow out of him because hes such a barrel!! when we got him i was 11 so i was tiny on him then!
we rent a field from a local farmer for £125 a year - so cheap because it was a piece of scrub till we seeded it and worked on it.
biggest expence is shoes, £50 every 6 weeks.

oh and crazyhorse - Brickfields on the isle of wight is great!!!

hope this helps!

[notpoodle]

er how can you outgrow a 14.3 hh horse :rolleyes:

julia
x

[horsefreak]

Hiya

I echo what the people above have said - a native or native cross sounds ideal for you. I have a dales mare, and she has the most perfect manners, and have had no trouble so far with her. She can be a bit stubborn to ride sometimes, but isn't any horse or pony?? Also, she was living in at night in her old home, and has settled quite easily into her new routine of out 24/7 - natives are like that, they don't usually give a whatsit!

Fells can be strong, but my old loan pony Mel is a Fell, and could be strong and stubborn at times, but if you told her what to do, she would do it. With natives you just have to show them who's in charge, as even the tiniest of them can learn to throw his/her weight around!!

Also, they can carry heavy weights, so you needn't worry bout the 'larger' person riding the pony - the Dales used to carry up to 20 stone of lead, all day!!

Anyway, good luck with your horse hunting - if you need any more websites ect, PM me as I have hundreds from when I was trying to find a pony before!!

Ax ~ Emx

[abi]

lol notpoodle - i have quite long legs!!!!!!!!!!! anyway its not really noticeable yet...im 5'8" now but still growing - fast!

[Little Pony]

i would recommand a good native pony/ horse.
that has had a lot of experince with novices and is very calm.

like an exridng school pony because they have a lot of experince with novice childen and adaults e.g.
the horse should both be able to take your size and wieght.
the horse should be about 9+.

hope this helps Good luck

little pony:D

[wildponies]

the horse should be about 9+.

if you're talking age wise... then sorry i don't agree! Yes you will get some horses that calm down when they're older.. take things a bit slower... but i know plenty of five year olds who are going nicely, and could be labelled 'bombproof'. i think you're stereotyping there... age shouldn't make a difference if the horse in question has the right temperament. One of my friends rides a 16 year old mare who would in no way whatsoever be suitable for a novice.. so yeh.. my point.. forget about the whole 'age' thing.

Foxglove - if you're looking to buy over the summer then you can have your horse / pony out at grass 24/7. Remember in the winter some breeds, especially the tb types and the 'older' horses sometimes prefer to be stabled at night, this involves mucking out every day and feeding twice a day if fully stabled and in work. I would suggest, for a first pony, like most other people on this thread, a native type. Natives are usually good weight carriers and thrive on living out all year round, and they get the most adorable winter coats :D I'd reccommend about 14.2-15hh ish? that would be a bit on the big side and it's bordering on the 'pony-horse' line. But if you want a pony to stay with you for a while, and to prevent your daughter from growing out of your new equine, then i think this height would be suitable :)

Costwise... I keep 2 welshies out at grass and each month i spend
£10 a week per horse for grass livery
£5 a month hay
£15 every 2 months for hard feed
£20 for feet trimming every couple of months per horse

Obviously there are other costs such as worming, which is inexpensive, insurance if you wish (advisable!) and rug repairs broken buckets etc etc!

All the best in finding your perfect equine!

[tubby]

Sorry but I disagree Wildponies, a first horse needs to be older,quite apart from safety issues a young horse or pony can be ruined by an inexperienced rider.As for worming being inexpensive well not if it's done properly unless you buy in bulk, it's got to set you back at lest £80 per annum even sending off for the cheap ones from chemists. Insurance will cost about £250 upwards if you insure to cover vet bills as well as the basics.The farrier will charge you approx£20 for a trim ,needed probably every ten weeks in the winter but can be every six weeks in the spring & summer.If you have the pony shod it will cost you approx £45-£50 each time & these must be changed or put back at least every eight weeks. Whatever you buy must be suitable for a novice regardless of age. Good luck

[wildponies]

I was just making a point that 'the horse must be 9 plus' was a load of 'twaddle' to put it politely. Since when did a horse suddenly become suitable for a novice once it has reached the age of 9? Plenty of younger horses ridden by novices go on to learn many new skills in many different areas and increase in confidence and knowledge with their riders. I find my worming inexpensive as i have worming done amongst other tasks when i call the vet out, sometimes vaccinations + worming performed by the vet, general check-ups + worming, next time to have passports, gelding of colt and worming for mare all at the same time. This is probably why I find my worming 'inexpensive' as I am comparing to other essential costs also being paid for at the same time, and compared to vetting and gelding i can imagine that to almost anyone.. worming would seem inexpensive. All in all, my worming costs for both horses at the same time is the same as a weeks livery, but once paid for... lasts (fairly obviously) a lot longer...

EDIT
p.s. Foxglove is not looking for a 'first pony' she merely stated that she was a novice. You mentioned that a 'first pony' should be older.

My 'first pony' was 2 and a half years of age. I did however have 10 years of riding and stable management, horse handling and care experience behind me. But still, this was my 'first pony'.

I do not believe in putting young children on young horses, i do not believe in putting complete novices on a highly strung Tb; but i do however believe that the 'right horse for you' can be any age, i have known horses to be 'ruined' by experienced horse people, but their lack of understanding as to what really matters, the bond between human and equine, destroyed any chances they ever had of producing a great horse.

[luv2jump2!!!]

I'm kinda gonna agree and disagree here. But I have a 9 yr old 15.3HH Mare she is ID X TB and she is quite soft mouthed v.v.vv. responsive and is v.v.vv..v. strong! and she is v.v.vv. good in her stable but not that safe when being riden.... But I love her to pieces any way!! She could be testing us but i don't think so as we've only had her 15 days and have riden her for a week now.

She would not of course be suitible for you although i do think if you decide of a like questionner and decide like I want a 14hh - 15.3hh horse to do a little of every thing........... etc. but i wouldn't set my self limmits like it must be a highland x or it must be must be a gelding or it must be called Bertie.......etc

Good Luck!!

[hackedoff]

Have you tried Safecobs.co.uk? I dont know anything about them but website looks too good to be true

[makebelieve]

I'm going to disagree with you, Tubby. There is nothing wrong with a well trained young horse. No matter what breed too. After saying that, its sometimes true that an older horse is better. But remember, some older horses aren't as physically fit. I disagree with you on that. Some younger horses make wonderful mounts for beginner riders. I don't think the word "needs" should be stressed in this type of situation, as I have said.

In fact, I know a 3 to 4 year old Appaloosa at my barn who takes out beginners/novices or people who have never even touched a horse before. I normally don't post on this board, but this thread really stuck out at me. Ponies or horses don't have to be a certain age to be considered a first time horse. My first horse is (And still is) a 15.1hh Thoroughbred mare, whom is 5 years old. I have been riding for 5 years, but 3 of those years were simply 2 weeks at summer camp each year.

[tubby]

My point is that a young horse can be lacking in experience & if the owner is too it can be a disaster.By older horses I'm not suggesting a decrepit old soul I'm saying over 7yrs(which is incidently a horses prime).Whatever the age you would have a horse vetted anyway,& checked by someone who is experienced as to their behaviour & suitability. I do think though that a novice horse & novice rider is not a good mix, though there are always exceptions to all rules.

[wildponies]

what if a five year old isn't a novice though and can do everything that a '9 year old' can do... then the horse in question is young yes.. but not a novice.. this 'discussion' that you are trying to make a point for Tubby is the fact that someone mentioned a horses age. You have either misunderstood this or are trying to make a completely different point...

THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A YOUNG HORSE AND A NOVICE HORSE!

a young horse is young... agreed?
a 'novice' horse is still learning, like a beginner..

QUOTE..."I do think though that a novice horse & novice rider is not a good mix" We're not discussing this? Although many people would agree with you that a novice horse and rider do not go well together. What we ARE discussing is a horses age... not it's abilities...

[jUmPingIsLifE]

Tahoe is 3 and has had beginners on him. he will put up with pulling, kicking and keep a nice steady trot going for someone learning. i learned to ride on a 3yr old arabian, in my opinion age does not matter at all, just look for a horse whos temperment suits you and your daughter :) goodluck

[shandy84]

Hiya,

I have to say that I agree in part with everybody. My girl is about to be backed and I would not let a novice rider on her until a couple of years after she has been backed as she will be a novice and will need an experienced rider to bring her along. This is a trait in a number of young horses although I will admit not all of them, but generally moving up fom a novice standard means a gaining in experience and usually this doesn't happen for a couple of years after backing. Also there is always the possibility of a young horses potential not being realised because of having a novice owner as the owner may not know how to bring it out of them. Yet there are some sensible young horses who are very probably able to be a novice ride, but persoally my expereinces have led me to believe it is not normally a productive combination.

[Drummers mum]

I really have got to butt in here.

Firstly, I have had my pony 3 and 1/2 weeks and he is a dartmoor hill pony, he is VERY hardy and shaggy and lives out 24/7 at the moment but will have to come in at night if it gets wet again due to field gatting ruined. He carries me NO problem and I'm 10 stone and hes only 12.3hh! But you can get crosses that are bigger.

Now to get in on the debate (arguement). Drummer won't be 5 until this May. I am a scaredy cat (bad fall, smashed elbow) and he is my first pony. I'm moderately experienced but didn't realise how much I didn't know!

He is GREAT we have had our ups and downs, but we are building a relationship for life and I love him to bits. I wouldn't call him "bomb" proof but hes very laid back. Haven't tried the roads yet and I think this will be hard at first as the tractor worries him when it comes up behind us. (he did come off the moor though, only sheep and gorse!) He also likes to do hand stands if he thinks he can get away with it!

Anyway to make a point, age doesn't make a dot of difference. When I first met him I thought he was 7! I couldn't give a **** about his age, he is perfect and we are gaining confidence together and I'm going to have a friend for life.

Go with your first instinct.

[tubby]

Sorry but 50yrs experience with horses tells me that you cannot put an old head on young shoulders. Yes you can get a youngster sometimes that is quiet but on the whole a young horse & inexperienced owner is not a good mix. Yes some people will struggle on & get by but for a first horse you are better with an older more experienced animal.

[shandy84]

I have to agree with Tubby I have two youngsters and I am always being told they are very sensible and 3 comming on 30 but they have some days when I wouldn't have anyone else near them because they are unpredictable. At least an older horse has learnt the basics and then you could bring them on from there

[Drummers mum]

I feel like I'm being patronised here, I wouldn't have bought Drummer if I thought I couldn't cope and his owner wouldn't have let me have him! I also know a 24 year old who would cart you at the slightest opportunity and a 16 year old NF who would walk all over anyone who didn't have their wits about them!

How about seeing it from this point of view: older horses already have bad habits that can sometimes be hard to break!

As for insurance costs, you need to shop around, £250 is a very high premium. And look on Ebay for wormers, you can do it for less than £40 a year.

[shandy84]

Hi Drummers Mum. I think you are being a bit sensitive I wasn't trying to be patronising, I just know that my horses are a good example of young horses one is 3 one is 2 there are very big differences in their temperament and although one is very safe in general she has very scary moments too as she is experiencing things she has never come across in her life before. No one is questioning your ability we are just speeking from our own personal experiences as to how youngsters behave some young horses and new owner mixes work many don't I have had people I know sell their youngsters as they were too much for a first horse/pony.

[Drummers mum]

Sorry Shandy 84, was having a bad day and my pony means the world to me. You are quite right though, I wouldn't be able to cope with a 2 year old.

Drummer is ace though and at nearly 5 I feel i can continue his education as i want to.

[shandy84]

If you read my thread in the general section entitled I'm at a loss you'll see why I have the opinions I do yet I also have an adorable rising 3yr old who is fantastic and very little trouble. I can understand that good luck with him I'm sure he'll be a lovely boy now and later :)