Pony For Daughter--Update Page 8. Great First Year Together

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
Can't go to Pennsylvania. I am in the absolute most inconvenient corner of the state, equidistant from both Canadian entry points, equidistant between Ohio and Upper Peninsula and at the exact opposite end of the state from Indiana. It takes HOURS of driving to get anywhere.

Looked into some Welsh ponies, the cheap ones were all unbroke and the broke ones were all $5000+

Looked at some part breds on Dreamhorse and emailed a couple of prospects. Nothing on CL is really worth looking at. Some might be good project horses for myself, but not for my daughter.

 

[Kelly G]

Quote:
I respectfully disagree. My Fjords (which fall into your "anything of that sort" category) schlep kids all over the place day after day. They do it willingly and with a "cheerful" heart. This is one of my two Fjords - he was gelded last May and is now teaching several beginner lessons each week...

ChickenWrangler - you'll know the perfect horse when you see it - be it small horse or large pony - you'll know it when you see it!

 

[welsummerchicks]

Fjiords seem a lot easier to me, to ride than Halflingers, but I still would not put a really tiny kid like Mi's on one unless it was atypically slim and narrow - her legs would stick out straight sideways.

Welsh ponies are expensive - any breed is expensive, but there are so many nice grade ponies around.

 

[babyblue]

I wouldn't restrict your seLF to just ponies either. my niece has been ridding my 16 hand QH since she was 6. best lesson horse ever, broke as broke can be. the biggest problem is broke...is the horse broke or is the horse in need of training or is it a devilish little s@@T. A halflinger appy cross. unless this pony is the oppposite of the stereotype of the breeds I wouldn't get this for a child. too much of a potential for constant fights. also like welsummer said its going to be as wide as a dump truck and hard for a little kid to sit.

 

[michickenwrangler]

"responded" to some Dreamhorse ads for a couple of older Morgans and Arabs. It continues ...

 

[michickenwrangler]

Going to look at a pony this morning. A 9 yr old grade, 12hh. The daughter (now 10) has taken the pony in 4-H shows and trail ridden her but wants to be more competitive at the shows so her parents have bought her a Paint (probably 16hh and a sorrel medicine hat like every other Paint in the area, but oh well). My farrier trims the pony and the trainer at the barn has given the girl lessons and both say the pony would be good for DD. Pony is an easy keeper but there are lots of dry lots at our barn and farrier said she has never foundered.

We'll see.

 

[RiverOtter]

Good luck!

 

[michickenwrangler]

The pony is darling!!! A bit of a dishy head, she must be part Welsh.

She's a little bigger than I thought. Almost pure ivory white, black skin underneath. Tail is a little sparse but she has a nice mane. The owners' daughter led her in from the pasture and put her in cross ties while I looked her over and picked up her feet. Hooves a little on the long side but the farrier is coming out next week. The people had a nice setup, an old converted dairy barn, wooden fencing and a small outdoor arena. Pony was friendly but polite. When I purposefully spooked, she just froze and snorted rather than wheeling or bolting. As I spoke with the owner after we turned the pony back out, the pony wandered back over every once in awhile. The 8 yr old daughter was very comfortable handling the pony and petting her. DD needs to ride her, but I have a good feeling about the pony. Got a good vibe from the owner too. Again, their setup and home are nice and maintained but not ostentatious. The place where I board buys their hay from them, so the pony wouldn't even have to adjust to different hay. They said they would be very happy if I bought the pony since she would be nearby and they would know how she's doing.

Pony has also been to county fair shows and done walk-trot and leadline. Again, selling pony b/c their daughter wants to go on to a bigger horse and keep showing.

Will try to get DD out to ride her next weekend.

 

[mom'sfolly]

Sounds like a good fit. Good luck!

Pictures are required!!!!!!

 

[bantyhen'sfriend]

I agree with most of what was said. Any horse/pony can be the right critter for a kid, as long as they are physically and mentally suitable. And any animal can pull a six-year-old out of the saddle by the reins, be it a haflinger or a welsh, so don't discriminate by breed as to which pony would be right.

My pony was a 12.2hh welshXpaint mare. She schlepped me all over and put up with a lot of crap, and aways with a good attitude. My mom (about 5'4") rode her on trails, and so did I when I got older. But I wish she was 13-14hh instead of 12.2hh! I outgrew her way too quickly (in my opinion). She can still carry me, but I look funny. But she carried small adults with ease.

I would personally go with a small horse (13-14.3hh) because kids don't outgrow them as quickly (if at all).