Thinking about a pony for a Christmas present

[Cara]

My advice would be:

Be very, very careful. Horse trading is at its worst when it comes to children's ponies, as an adult usually can't ride them and find out for themselves what they are like. It really is scary what some people will call 'gentle' for the sake of making a buck. Take someone experienced with you, and let them make the call.

If it 'needs work' of any kind walk away. If the seller can't be bothered to work with the horse, why should a prospective buyer, and what else have they neglected to do? First time horses are the hardest to find by far. We searched months for mine and i'm still not convinced we got the right one. I'd second the advice that an older horse is often better than a pony, as they are less likely to have proved to themselves that they can bully their rider and get away with anything they want to.

But the most important point is to take someone who knows what they are looking at and what they are looking for, and trust their judgement.

 

[Western Chick]

Thanks for the info...
I did it, I bought the pony. Actually I think it's technically a miniature horse. It doesn't matter a whole lot to me.

I went to see him and he's a sweetheart. I took the advice to act like a bumbling idiot around him, held the feet and ears, nothing. He stook calm as can be. He was used by the current owner to get her daughter back into horseback riding after a bad experience with one of their standard horses.

Now I have to keep a secret

I'll try to get a picture when DD see what Santa brought

 

[DuckyBoys]

You are THE coolsest mom ever!

I think everyone wanted a pony for Christmas...that reminded me of that commerical last year of the 16 year old girl with her friends talking about when they got for christmas...the two friends got the coolest cell phone and the other one got a pony! LOL...only about 10 years too late!

Anyway - I STILL want my Chritmas pony....

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
A pony is way cooler than a cell phone, no matter how old you are!!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I'm 50 and would still be thrilled with a pony for Christmas...
...and I wanted to

that ungrateful girl in the cell phone commercial last year...

 

[chickbea]

Quote:
We had a shetland just like this!

 

[Equest94]

I LOVE PONIES!

9.2hh is awfully tiny. Although your DD is very young and small... she'll outgrown him fairly quickly. Also keep in mind that due to their small size, miniature horses normally aren't broke to be ridden (but there are some); normally minis are used for driving, halter/showmanship, jumping in hand, and as companion animals...

Also, does your daughter ride or take lessons? Every child wants a pony when they are younger, but just like a toy, they tend to be "emotionally outgrown" (for lack of a better word). A 13 yro horse/pony still has many good years left in him, keep in mind that if your daughter does get tired of him...you may be stuck with him for a while; I'm not sure how you feel about...

As mentioned by another BYC member, horses are herd animals and will be happy with other animals of its kind...

On the other hand, your DD will learn a ton from owning a pony. I have ridden, shown, and leased horses for years before I bought my first mare (when I was 13). I still have her and she is a huge part of my life. Not only did she teach me huge responsibility and management, she also taught me team work. We have a bond unlike anyone could ever imagine and I'll keep her until she passes away.

My advice to you would be not to rush into anything. Horses and ponies are a huge responsibility, and I would have your daughter take lessons and make sure she not only learns how to be around and care for horses properly, but also to make sure that this is something she truly likes before committing to getting her her own pony. As for ponies, as stated, minis are tiny and will be out grown quickly... I would look into something perhaps a bit larger maybe 12-13 hh; however, you could always get the mini and buy a larger horse/pony as well...

You are such an awesome mom to consider this as a Christmas gift! Just don't rush into anything before thinking it through... I'm sure your daughter will love whatever you get her. Good Luck!


EDITED: Oh! I didn't realize you bought him! That's so nice! I'm sure your daughter will be thrilled!

 

[Chick_a_dee]

Aww yay! I was so excited when my mum finally bought the horse we were leasing. Christmas and I was 12 years old, she told me to get my things together as we're going to see our horse Pal, at the barn she pulled out the receipt and said she'd bought him for me for Christmas. He's something like 25 years old now, big old Haflinger X Belgian (more on the Haflinger side).

We'll be looking for a couple project ponies on the larger side soon enough, come spring we're looking for two welsh crosses, or POA crosses. Mum says my brother needs to get out of the house and get into horse back riding again (he was a really talented rider when he was a wee little guy, but as he got older he gave it up). He's got the right body and frame and seat for hunter jumper, so we're going to get ourselves a project pony for him to train over fences, and take out to the county fairs.

 

[Western Chick]

I finalized the deal today. He'll stay at his current home until Santa brings him over on Christmas eve...now to find a BIG bow...

This is my first horse purchase ever and I've been waiting for this day since I was my daughter's age. In many ways this is more for me than DD! (as if you couldn't tell

)

However...I married into a family that "does" horses and expect it would have only been a short matter of time before we got one for ourselves. I imagine this horse will be the first of many. I'm thinking we'll be looking for a POA within a few years when my daughter gets into 4-H. She loves our animals and is perfectly content to be in the barn talking to the goats.

If for some reason she doesn't take to the horse thing, she has five younger cousins in the area (and likely more on the way) that will enjoy an occasional pony ride. And if we can't continue to board him, I'm sure her grandpa would love to have a horse for the grandkids to ride.

I'll try to get a picture of the big surprise. I can't wait!

 

[Western Chick]

I did it, I got the pony...er, um miniature horse. I think they like it:

He's such a good boy, my son has been riding him up and down the driveway. They both seem to be enjoying themselves!

Now if only Santa had brought one for me....