buying a horse for my sis

[westley_jacobs]

hi al
i am looking to buy a horse for my sis, well not me, my parents but theyre not horsy so i get to make decisions:D
shes going on 3, and is very bright, i know this is young but wed like her to start asap and the pony will be l;ooked after by me, what sort do u think is best wit little kids??
thanks;)

[Fuzz and This]

i think shetlands are always good or welsh mountains. most of them are easy to handle and easy to keep unless they get laminitis etc! they usually have a lovely nature but they are ponies so like to nip occsassionally!! (well mine do anyways!)

[Zip_n_Prin]

i would have to agree.. a small pony is the best. Although they can be rather... naughty to say the least... with my experience with ponies, they tend to take care of their owners with less knowledge, but the minute you know what you are doing they become poops! so for your sisters sake, a pony would be good, shetlands are the best, but if you have money to spend, Fell Ponies are really sweet and REALLY take care of their owners.
I hope this helps!

[aphagirlie05]

I would definitely suggest an older horse/pony with plenty of child experience, one that handles well, doesn't have any vices, and one with a good medical history. You might be able to find an older show equine that has been retired. Are you in the US or UK? Because if you're in the US, you need to see if you can get a copy of July's Horse and Rider supplement magazine 'Growing up with Horses'. It's got everything you'll need to know about picking a good beginner horse for your sister. You probably don't want a lesson pony because they can sometimes pick up bad habits from having so many different riders who all ride differently.

We have a six year old that started lessons when she was four on a full sized (15.1 hh) half-arab mare, so even a horse can be the perfect match for a small child (trust me this kid weighs about thirty pounds and doesn't even come up to the 16hh arab she rides now's shoulder) if it has the right temperament. You're looking for something that is patient, sweet, pratically bomb proof, smooth gaited, gentle, definitely an older equine. You should probably take a test ride as well, maybe watch the owner ride the horse/pony around unfamiliar objects to see how it reacts to its surroundings.

[Equisgurl]

My suggestion is to start her with riding lessons, to see if she likes riding at all, but then again I'm not sure the exact age they will accept student, I think 5 is the least. Maybe you can lease a pony and see if she likes riding and everything else?
I know a 3-year old whos absolutely addicted to horses, but it might be just a child phase all little girls go through, i dont know.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

I would probably go with a small Shetland. Three is pretty young and small so anything much bigger might be pretty intimidating. Then again my bosses three year old doesn't care of its a 17.2hh Perch/TB. (she loves to canter around on her! *someone rides with her to make sure she doesn't slip)

[Esther.D]

It doesn't matter what bred particularly but go for an experienced pony, not too big but with the emphasis on very quiet and docile. Not a youngster, many of the ideal little kids ponies are in their teens or older and have done everything. Youngsters can be quiet and nice but to be honest a 3yr old would probably wreck their education as they are inclined to pull on their mouths, and give unpredictable aids (they can't help it, they are such small children they don't know better and can be unco-ordinated and have a very short attention span). Remember that small ponies, particularly shetlands are very bright and if not worked regularly or if bored with their work can gain vices very quickly. Hence why you are better getting an older, tried and tested pony that has taught a few kids and you know will look after her.

I would certainly go with riding lessons first though, at that age they can be very keen one minute and go off it the next, make sure she will like riding by trying it out for a month or so, if she still likes it then think about a pony.

[QuarterHorseMac]

You should probably get a older pony that is kid-safe/beginner-safe....Im not sure what breed. But probably a gelding or a mare..Never a STALLION! (From what I have heard)

sites that have horsies/ponies for sale:

www.dreamhorse.com
www.equine.com

Hope she likes her new pony/ horse!

[westley_jacobs]

thanks i will post a new thred all about my finds!!!

[Zingy]

I just can't get this Thelwell type image out of my head of some poor little kid doing the splits trying to get astride a very flat backed shetland! :D Sorry :o :D

[westley_jacobs]

lol, now i can only think of that, i think thelwells real hillarious!!!!

[lady ridealot]

couldnt you see if there are any x-riding-school ponies for sale around as these are likely to be a bit more used to young child riders and more dosile!

PS - I said likely! Im sure everybody knows the odd rebel pony! lol

[*MiRi*]

i hope everything goes okay with you buying a pony for your sis! Just two things to say
1. I would go with a small pony definetly
2. If you buy a shetland remember that they can be very strong!
keep us posted on news
xox