Matching pony sizes to child. Update**

[wabuska]

What would you consider a good starter size for a pony? We have a six year old tall daughter (wearing 7-8 clothes) and although I know 11h or 12hh would suit right now, the idea of selling in a couple of years is rather depressing.

What did you start your lot on and what were your experiences shopping for the right one. I like this pone (not viewed yet but may do) but perhaps I'm being influenced by the fact that at 8 stone ten, I could ride it too, even if my legs are dragging. Perhaps that's sensible though. I don't want to start 'collecting' horses I can't part with!

[lilaclomax]

Hi Kanga
I know I am not the norm but I got Shadow who is 13.2hh, I also wanted a pony for 'life' and with a 6 year old and a 1 year old he is perfect for being ridden for a very long time. OK my 6 year is still slightly on the small side for him but she can mount (from the mounting block) and he is nice and steady for her.. the only reason we may get another pony in the future is if she finds him too much of a plod!
He makes a great lead rein pony and I can also ride him although as you say the feet are very close to the ground! We tried out a couple of 11.3hh ponies but although my daughter looked perfect on them next year it could be a different story and for over £2k for an older schoolmistress or £1,500 for a 6 year old I thought buying a larger youngster who's history we knew and who I could back myself (with Kelly starting the process) was the best option - and it paid off

[flutterbye]

I would also go for a 13.2. My first was this size and I was still riding him as an adult. (I was under 5.2 and slim....then) ;D
It is sad when your child outgrows their 11 hand pony because it seems to happen over the space of just a couple of months!

So unless you have smaller children that will want to take over the reins I would buy a bigger pony, or perhaps you could lone a smaller one first.

[wabuska]

Thanks. All good then. Called about this one. He's ideal by the sound of things. From a riding school but will hack out alone. Ridden by adults and kids. Never any complaints or comments. Has been known to have a little bomb about, but as the RI said, they will all do that in groups. Easy to handle, not aggressive or confrontational with other horses, clean to keep. She said she wouldn't match a child to the wrong one and was very forthcoming alround. May go and look. Kya.
www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/horses/1072272

[daisysp8]

Hiya, as you know i`ve just bought Dixie for Jack, she`s 13.1 but very stocky too, and yes i`ve ridden her (she`s fab lol).

Jack is 6 in March and also tall, (in 7-8 clothes too) i know he`ll be a bit small on her to begin with, but it will be maostly leadrope/longline work for next year anyway.

I was the same as you, i didn`t want to get a wee welshie or similar that i`d then have to part with, Dixie can stay for life, as when Jack moves on to his next steed, i`ll have a wee Dixie all to myself

We paid £400 for Dixie, and she is an absolute star, it was the best £400 i`ve ever spent

[gemmamarygold]

He looks lovely Kanga, and sturdy enough that Mum can ride (with roller skates attached to riding boots) if he needs it!

[iceberg]

I think he has such a sweet face - go and see him!!!!! heh heh.xxxx

[Jaydurh]

My first pony was 13.2hh. I was rather small but he taught me loads

[kafee]

I agree with what everybody has said so far. My daughters first pony was a 12hh school mistress. They were aged 4-7 and small for their age. I'm 5' tall so i was able to ride her as well. They could lead and groom her, but couldn't get on by themselves to start with, but they were on the lead rein then anyway.

Their next pony was my 14.2hh, who I still have.

So scaling things up for taller people, I think 13/13.2hh should be fine for a first pony.

[wabuska]

I suppose it's worth a look. That's just it Daisy... the selling would be inevitable at 12hh, as I'm keeping the horses and they have a job to do, apart from Flynn and Bidi my pets... AND any other who arrives here... you see the problem!! I'll report back. I like the look of him right off.

[Caroline]

I learned to ride on first a 13.2 welsh pony and then a 13.2 new forest type. I started when I was about 6 and I don't think I moved on to the bigger thoroughbreds until I was about 13.

That little grey looks really lovely Kanga. If he is as sensible and experienced as they say he is and you can ride him too, that could be a great choice. It would be useful I think to be able to ride and train him yourself wherever needed so you know how he is going for your daughter. With the tiny ponies, all you can do is observe!

Do keep us posted

[lilaclomax]

He does look like he could be perfect if he does what is says on the tin
I am also glad that I am not so mad.. when Kira starts pony club next year hopefully there will be a few bigger ponies there too.. 2 of us were riding out a couple of weeks ago and came across a lady walking her dogs who mentioned that her daughter's pony was now too small and she didn't have a horse herself due to cost - with both of us riding our daughter's ponys we put the same idea into her head!

[portiabuzz]

good luck with finding the right one! x

[wabuska]

Thanks all... apparently not a talented jumper... trots up and walks over everything!... , but I can live with that and work forward. Sometime between now and New Year, I need to take a trip. She has no idea what he's like with traffic as they don't ride the roads at all (it's a riding school down-sizing), so we'll have to investigate if there's work to be done. Frankly if I like him, there's time to work these things out. Excited.

[varkie]

I've gone to the total opposite extreme. I have an 11.1hh pony, whom technically my daughter could ride - and does on occasion. My daughter is 3 years old. But my daughter finds the pony just too large to actually ride herself, and she can't control her from the ground either. Even tho my daughter is quite tall for her age, and pony is relatively small, they just aren't a match yet. See what I mean here (not me in any of the pics, btw - my friend, and my OH):




Up until now, my daughter has only had occasional rides. This winter, I shall be properly backing her a pony to ride. And I've picked one that she will be able to do everything with, which I think she'll have more fun with, as she can do the lot, and without me hovering all the time like I have to with the 11.1hh pony. I don't have pics of the particular pony my daughter will be riding under saddle, as it's not happened yet, but these pics show her with a pony of a similar size (she was younger in these pics tho - not yet 3 years old):




Once my daughter outgrows her shetland, she may ride the coloured pony - depends how good a rider she is, and how confident, as the coloured pony is a bit sharp and can buck a bit. Other than that, I have a NF youngster that could be hers. Or I'll get her a standard shetland to bridge the gap between her little shetland and the NF, or even perhaps my Welsh mare, if she's a very good little rider. I fully expect her to ride this small shetland until she is about 7, the coloured pony would last her into early teens, as would a standard shetland. Beyond that, the NF or my Welsh will do her just fine.