Horses vs ponies, for kids.........??

[Chickerdoodle13]

I gave the same advice to another poster recently, but you could always look for a full sized horse and get a couple of goat companions to keep it company until you decide to get another horse. We did this years ago and while we didn't keep the goats and horse together, they spent lots of time hanging out with eachother through the fence line. We had a single horse that the whole family could ride and we were not in the position at the time to get two horses.

I would look for something beginner friendly so the whole family can enjoy. Honestly, I think your daughter would benefit more from a full sized horse than a small pony, plus you can always get on the horse and take it for a spin. Beginner horse doesn't have to mean boring! Then later on you may decide to get another full sized horse or maybe even a mini.

Horses are definitely more expensive to keep than dogs and other livestock, but it is not unreasonable. Talk to other horse owners in your area and ask around to see what everyone is paying for shoes, yearly vet visits, etc. I really don't think the hay and feed is too much more cost wise than what it costs to feed our chickens (and the goats when we had them). Hay can be expensive depending on your area, but for one horse it would not be outrageous.

 

[welsummerchicks]

But that's the thing, around here, finding one is no problem. We have plenty of very well trained, older ponies around here. That is no problem here or the several other locations where I've lived.

Maybe it's more a problem in parts of the country where there aren't Pony Clubs.

And there just are parts of the country where people think kids should be on horses, so the ponies that are around, aren't going to be as desirable or well trained. Because the general consensus is they should be on horses, and that's the market there.

Here, the little ponies make the rounds of the different families like clockwork. There's usually a little bit bigger kid who can get on them if they get naughty, but most of them are so old and so broke it just isn't a problem.

They're mostly connected with Pony Club, but some are with 4h and other organizations. They're older ponies, super broke and very, very reliable. Some of the ponies have been doing that for years around here. They often go fox hunting with mom and dad with the pony on a lead line, or in some cases, the pony loose and very reliable. They hunter pace, they do horse shows, they show jump, dressage, the kids have a total riot with these ponies.

In fact, there are also larger ponies, also dead broke and older, as well as full size horses also dead broke, dead reliable. We have no problem with that around here. Most are available for free leases. Most are in their teens or twenties. Been there, done all that.

We also have some around here that aren't as enjoyable to ride as those ponies - very dull to the leg and hard in the mouth, but still very safe. No buck, no bolt, and old as the hills.

 

[Robo]

You could find a horse with some pony in it like this one.

 

[emjay]

haha, right Robo, I agree, that is a good size pony, she was taking riding lessons on a pony that i could literally lay over top of without having to stand on my toes, was way too small, her feet weren't too far off the ground when she was on the saddle, on top of that the pony was old, and almost completely blind. A pony the size of the one above, I could have appreciated the lessons on.

My daughter is 8, 9 in March.
and I have a son who is 6. Sorry, should have added that part.

I am 5' 5.

I am looking for a horse about between 14.3 and 15.3 (ideally).

and most definitely want to get it a companion. I do like the idea of a large pony and a horse, so that one day me and my daughter can both ride, when she is confident enough on her own.

 

[txredneckmedic]

I wouldnt waste my time with a mini. They have too many training issues. My 7yo rides my 16hand helding with no problems. Get your kid something they wont outgrow and will be able to spend many years riding.

 

[patandchickens]

I'm going to offer a different opinion. I think that IF you are well-enough tied into the local serious horse community to be able to "source" great old babysitter ponies, then they are probably idea, BUT in many areas and for many people this is not so realistic an option. And if it comes to a choice between a less-babysitter-y pony versus a great old babysitter HORSE (which is not usually very hard to find at all) then I would promote that horse over that pony, as a kids' first mount.

Some advantages of "great old babysitter horse"s -- less apt to have laminitis/founder issues, you can put (light) adults on too, a (light) adult can get on to school the animal if necessary, and it will not be outgrown size-wise very soon whereas kids can zoom right out of their pony in months.

The type horses I'm talking about are usually in the 14.2-15.1 type of range (taller presents more of a logistical problem for kids, although with the *right* horse, very small kids can do fine with even very tall horses), often part-pony or part-arab or old-style ranch QH, with lots of mileage and a kindly attitude towards kids.

I would agree with the previous posters that when people talk about the high cost of owning horses it ISN'T the showing aspect, it is just basic ownership. If you are already set up with all the necessary facilities totally in place, including AMPLE and REALLY HORSE-SAFE FENCING, then obviously that cuts the cost considerably -- although do not underestimate the cost over time of fence UPKEEP, which can really come back to bite ya a few years down the road.

My horses probably live as cheaply as anyone's (except for people who grow their own hay and choose not to count the market value of that hay towards horse costs), they are out 24/7/362-ish and have had practically no nonroutine vet bills... and they still cost me in the neighborhood of (per horse $400/yr in food [mainly hay] plus $30x8=$240/yr in farrier bills plus about $100ish in wormers/vaccinations per yr. So that is, what, maybe $750 per horse per year, plus the two TBs usually need a new turnout or fly sheet every year ($80 a pop), plus whatever I spend on replacing heated water tubs, fenceboards, dead electric-fence charger, replace electric tape after 5 yrs or so, etcetera. (These physical-facilities upkeep bills vary so wildly that I could not give you an average).

And that is WITHOUT unexpected vet bills... which are really pretty common. Even just a simple "my horse cut his face open on a saturday afternoon" suture visit can easily run $400+, and it goes up from there. It is awfully easy to find yourself a thousand or two in the hole to the vet one fine afternoon, without the problem having been really all that dramatic or severe or "should we euthanise". So you have to have some reserves for that, and expect to spend it sometimes.

(I attribute my general low vet bills partly to luck, partly to being really vigilant about safe fencing, and partly to having them on 24/7 turnout which IME tends to minimize colic and injury problems as long as you have safe facilities and compatible horses)

JME, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[michickenwrangler]

Lots of good advice on here. I would personally opt for two horses, one for you and one for DD. I prefer smaller horses anyway, 14-15hh. Then again, I'm 5'2" so I don't need anything larger than that. In our area, it is hard to find TRAINED ponies. Many people assume that as soon as a pony has a saddle and rider on its back, it's "kid-safe." Not the case. Around here, it's easier to find an older 4-H horse whose owner has gone off to college or wants a flashier mount for open shows.

Keep eyes and ears open, the horse network is a wonderful resource but be patient. The right horse may literally fall in your lap, but it may not happen right away.

Besides, as soon as DD gets a horse, you'll want one for yourself too!

 

[geebs]

Go lease one... that will tell the tale... If you can do a lease for a year...even at another barn...You can walk away later without getting in too deep. Are horses worth it for young girls... OH YA!!! I wouldn't have it any other way... but you will have to decide how it fits into your lifestyle... Just remember who you are doing this for... Is it for you or her...or both of you and act honestly on that behalf..It sounds to me like you have a yearning... Maybe both of you should take riding lessons together and see what blooms. Her desires may not be the same as yours... You have to cultivate both.... IMHO....moms are the worst teachers for lessons... (that is just the way it is)...Kids know everything....just ask em.. if you lease a horse that comes with lessons...you are not the bad guy...this pays big dividends. When she knows the ropes and responsibilities then you can forge ahead with a much more narrow field of what is going to work. Consider yourself in this roll and cultivate your own desires ALONGSIDE hers.... This is majical.... No kidding...My daughter turned 18 and she is a better well rounded person for having had a horse...I don't regret one dollar spent or one minute...The best times in the world were spent in a barn... mucking or talking or fighting... bottom line.. we enjoyed the ride.

 

[chickenzoo]

I personally get very attached to my animals, so I would say find a good well trained horse that is an easy keeper and find a good vet ahead of time. I have 2 horses in the 14 hand range ( I'm also very short so it works). They seem to be the perfect size and shape, not too big, not too small and would take an taller or average sized person some time to out grow.

My horses stay bear foot, I give my own shots except when I need a vet to come out.... he taught me. A roll of hay lasts me a week for 3 average horses, 4 minis, a mini Jack, 2 mini zebu, 2 fainting goats, a pot belly and 3 llama, so one horse or 2 if kept sheltered could last a month. Depending on the horse and what you feed they can average 1 bag a week of feed per animal or so. I would also get a mini if you only want one full sized horse.

 

[emjay]

thanks for all the comments.

as for us both taking riding lessons, can't justify spending the $$ on that for me, as I know how to ride. haha.

as for teaching my daughter, we've had the discussion, as to if she'll listen to me as an instructor or not. She tells me, she'll listen, hahaha, of if it was that easy. !!!! I think for a while she'll listen to me, whilst she's still quite green, but, if she decided to pursue it further, joining a club, and new lessons with a new trainer would be an avenue to consider, for sure.

Oh, by all means, this is my daughters big yearn for. I've gone 8 years without a horse. My daughter is the one that suggested riding lessons, and is the one begging me for a horse. Will I enjoy having one, absolutely.
and I also think like someone above stated, I believe a horse is good for ones soul and I think a horse for my daughter will help her so much in her confidence , self esteem, posture etc. She does have issues with her self esteem and the smiles that were on her face after/during her lessons were incredible to see. and I think the $$ value on that would be easily overlooked when you see what happens to a child emotionally etc , courtesy of a fourlegged animal. My daughter has sadly been bullied at every school she's been in and she's very hard on herself and hides her emotions inside. I think a horse is great therapy for her. and lucky for me, when it comes to helping her be a happy happy girl, she wants a horse, I can't wait to see how she grows alongside a faithful companion/riding partner.

Exactly what geebs said, I really think that is the most important comment so far. about it being worth the ride.

Nowadays, I think kids need more things that will inspire them to be better people. I believe the responsibility of animals will speak volumes in a childs growth to adulthood.

edited to add: can someone explain to me what a lease entails, as far as, say the horse got injured, are you into it for half the vet bill? if horse got injured on a day you werent' there??