Daisy: What questions should I ask when buying a pony?
My daughter is 11 and has been riding for 9 months we would like to buy her a beginner pony for Xmas. Could anyone tell me what sort of questions I should be asking when looking.
Answers and Views:
Answer by itsmetrea
Is the pony child proof, or Bomb proof. Also beware many people drug horses so they seem calm when your there. Also make sure you have a Vet check the horse before purchasing. Take a smart horse person with you and have someone ride it. Many bad ponys are passed around at Christmas time! Good Luck! your daughter is lucky, oh maybe get small horse she won’t grow out of too soon.
I’ve bought a lot of horses and ponies and I usually don’t ask questions so much as I get people talking and telling stories. People will sometimes not tell all the truth when you ask questions but almost always do when they are just talking.
I’d also ask for references. Who else can tell you something about this pony? Can you talk to the vet and farrier?
Really good ponies seldom come up for sale. They are usually passed on to friends or family. I don’t know where you live but around here I’d be hard pressed to find a good beginners pony with only 6 weeks to do it in. I’ve often looked for 6 months or more.
I would also say to not buy from someone who doesn’t love ponies in general. Pony people are a bit different from “horse” people. They tend to understand them better and don’t as often think that their pony is better than it is.
If you can’t find the right pony in time give the promise of a pony and a basket of grooming tools.
If you do have to go that way look at ponies without your daughter and bring her to see them only if you’ve already approved them. Little girls love everything with 4 legs and a tail even if they aren’t suitable. I know! I got my first pony for my 6th birthday and I’ve been in love with them all for 50 years now!Answer by Tigger B
There are loads of websites with this info. Check out:
https://www.allabouthorses.com/
If at all possible try to buy a pony through word of mouth – ask your riding instructor for help. Take your time – many people who rush to buy, end up regretting it. Good luck!
Answer by dibdibmAsk around at the riding school. School ponies are often sold on to private homes and make great first ponies as they are usually bomb proof!
Check out ads in the local paper, tack shops, pony club etc and ask all the horsey people that you come in to contact with. Don’t go to a dealer or horse sale unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing.
When you go to see a pony, you need to see it ridden by the owner. Take someone knowledgable with you. See it schooling, jumping, hacking etc. Then if you are happy, let your daughter have a go. Is it still behaving well with a beginner on board?
Ask about any health issues, past or present, does it load well, travel ok. Whats it like with the farrier, vet, other horses? Has it done pony club, gymkanas, shows, games, as this is the stuff your daughter will get into? Are jabs up to date and does it have a passport & microchip? Does it come with tack, rugs or do you need to shell out £££s?
Get it vetted, what ever the cost! You are spending as much as you would on a small car! You need to know it’s sound – I know people who’ve looked at ponies that are 10 yrs older than they say they are, cronic laminitics, have melanomas, or are completely mental. Be aware that people feed calmers in order to get a sale!
When you find a pony that you really like, ask if you can have it on loan for a while, (maybe 6 or 8 weeks or so) then you can be really sure that it’s the right one for you! Then if it all goes wrong you can return it, as a caring owner always wants to see the pony go to the right home.
Sorry if this sounds a bit pessimistic, but you really need to get this right, the wrong choice could put her off riding for life! – forget the xmas deadline, it may or may not happen. but good luck with the search and I hope you find the right pony quickly!
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