Ever since I can remember I have been horse mad.
Each year on my birthday I would blow out my candles and wish for a horse, it never happened. Then every year I would enter the W.H. Smith win a pony competition. I never won.
As I grew a little older I came up with the solution; if I married a rich farmer then I could have my horse – I am married to a Geordie painter and decorator!
The best breeds for children, in my opinion are the native breeds: Dartmoor, Exmoor and New Forest, who are usually easy to handle. I have however met a few Shetland ponies with ‘little man syndrome’ so be aware of that possibility.
I once knew a girl who had an amazing Welsh mountain pony that she entered into gymkhanas, they won virtually everything, sadly when she out grew this first pony and her parents replaced him with a larger one, she was disappointed as this pony didn’t win her as many rosettes.
A child’s first pony should be at least 10 years old meaning that it will be well mannered enough to be handled both in and out of the saddle.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that a pony can be put in a field (of at least an acre in size) and forgotten about, a pony takes a lot of time and money, there are vets bills which can be extremely expense, get insurance would be my advice, plus there is the cost of hay, hard feed, tack, bedding, rugs and the farrier’s bill to shoe your horse every 6-8 weeks.
A good pony will be worth it’s weight in gold . Think about what your child will use their new pet for before purchasing; will they just want to hack out (ride along roads and bridle paths) or enter gymkhanas and pony club events , or take part in dressage tests?
If possible take a knowledgeable friend along when going to view horses and ponies because your child may well want the first one they see.
Other things to consider before buying are the cost of livery if you haven’t got your own land and stabling and transport costs – if your child wants to attend local competitions, how are you going to get the animal there?
I used to ride once a week as a child with my sisters which we all loved. As an adult I was lucky enough to find a few people who wanted help with exercising their equines, which I did for many happy years until ill health stopped that I now ride at the Calvert trust every few months.
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If your children are fortunate enough to own their own horses and ponies please make sure that they are looked after properly.
Read more of my horsey adventures in my e book title Equestrian Dreams available to download from Amazon.
HAPPY RIDING.
As always questions/comments are welcome and please share on social media.
If anyone has topic suggestions or requests please say.
until next time
karen
x
What an interesting and informative blog. There is certainly a lot to consider and it’s good to take every into consideration.
This is a really useful post for anyone wanting to buy a pony for their child. I’ve never done horse riding so never really thought about all the things to consider when it comes to owning a pony – especially considering whether you just want to ride the pony or take part in gymkhanas. Thank you for sharing with #CountryKids
Loads of great tips in there, neither my children or I have ever had the opportunity to ride so we are all novices. Mich x
I think I was the same as you as a child, it was my dream to have a pony. I didn’t marry a farmer but he has become one with Coombe Mill and we now have 2 Shetland ponies. Sadly none of my kids ever wanted to keep up with riding lessons, it is clearly more appealing when you can’t have one! #CountryKids
I would love to live somewhere with space to allow my kids to have horses , they would love it. What a useful post if you are conaidering getting one!
What an informative post! I’ve always wanted a pony as a child.
#kcacols
Good information. I have never wanted to own a horse. They scare me. I have ridden a couple of times and I know the horses felt my fear. #countykids
I was desperate for a horse when I was little! Great tips here #kcacols
I always wanted one but my family couldn’t afford one. Now my sil has them but never lets our children have anything to do with them – quite sad really.
Great post, since so many kinder want a pony too! #globalblogging xoxo
I know a few people who own horses and I’d love to get the boys involved when they’re older! I’ve only been on a horse once but would love to go on one again! Thanks for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales, look forward to seeing you back next week!
we started with a bunny and moved up to a dog. My wife had a horse growing up and has talked from time to time about getting one, but its a pretty big responsibility. I’m sure my daughter would love it though #anythingoes
I can imagine it would be very theraputic for the child and help teach them adult skills loke responsibility X #bloggerclubuk
Back from #mixitup xoxo
what a lovely gift to be able to give your child and that is a neat pet to have. Wish we could have a horse but we’d have to stable it somewhere and I wouldn’t want to do that. #Alittlebitofeverything
My cousin had horses growing up and I was always so jealous! I wanted a pony with rainbow mane and tail. #GlobalBlogging
There is certainly a lot to consider when thinking of getting a pony – you make some good points #Blogstravaganza
I love horse riding although I haven’t done much since my children were born. My middle son is very keen and I’ve taken him out a couple of times. I agree that there’s something wonderful about learning to ride as a child. Thank you for linking up with #Blogstravaganza 🙂
We are lovely neighbors on so many sites this week! Back frm #triumphanttales xoxoxo
Our Jane would LOVE a pony! #kcacols
I wonder if there are many people who didn’t want a pony when they were younger? I certainly did! There are many young girls in my family who would also love one.
Now that I’m older, I’m not so confident around horses. I can appreciate them though, but maybe from a distance haha!
If kids are interested, I certainly think they should be given the opportunity to ride. Where I live, there are many weekly clubs that kids can go to. That can then give them a taste, and parents can see how much their kids may, or may not, enjoy it.
Thanks for sharing this information! There is a lot more to owning a horse or pony than many realise.
This is an excellent post, Karen. So many people have no idea how much work it takes to look after a horse properly and so many are treated badly. I’ve been around horses fo some of my life living in the country. I have never wanted my own pony but my best friend at school had one and so I was the friend that rode her bike alongside her every Sunday! My daughter rode for a little but we were never able to buy her her own pony.
Thanks for linking to #MyGloriousGardens this month.
I’ve learnt so much about the terminology just from this post! Beautiful creatures. #kcacols
My daughter adores horses already and she’s only two! it’s definitely something to cultivate in them while they’re still young! Thanks for linking up to #KCACOLS, hope to see you again next time
I think my boys would love a pony! My daughter has been riding since she was 5 and I’m quite at home on a horse, but we’ve never been able to contemplate ownership! #KCACOLS
These are some good tips. We don’t have pets but it is always a great idea to do research beforehand so you know exactly what is involved and what your responsibilities are #kcacols
I was lucky enough to have ponies when I was younger and it was so much work! I don’t have the time or money these days, but I hope to ride again when the kid are older-I might even persuade them to join me! Thanks for sharing with us #AdventureCalling
thank you