Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa... I WANT A PONY!
Submitted by: Kimberly Outen
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Date Added: 11/4/2008
Is My Child Ready for a Pony? With the gift-giving season upon us many parents will ask themselves (and numerous other family members) this question and wonder when/if it’s appropriate to buy a pony for their child or Grandchild. Maybe it’s a moment you’ve been expectantly waiting for, maybe it’s a moment you’ve been dreading. But, there is no use denying it, at some point your child is going to ask you to buy him/her a pony, so it’s best to prepare yourself ahead of time.
Besides wanting your child to be truly ready for this type of responsibility, it’s important to first ask yourself are YOU ready for your child to have a pony. Realistically, much of the responsibility and work (not to mention the expense) will fall upon you, unless you’re dealing with an older child with some experience, or you plan to utilize the expertise of a full care boarding facility. That being said, and with your willingness to support your child’s passion for ponies, there are a number of factors to consider before you go out and buy your child’s first mount.
First, how experienced/committed are you with horse/pony care? Be honest with yourself about the level of commitment you are willing to give when answering that question. Will you be keeping the pony at home or at a stable? Is your child currently taking lessons with a “qualified” trainer? What is your monthly budget for expenses, care, etc. Often, it’s not the cost of the pony which poses the problem, it’s the upkeep, management, time invested, and other additional expenses that become an issue.
Next, you have to determine what your specific goals are: leading a small child around and gradually introducing them to riding, letting your child ride independently, shows and competing, trail rides, jumping, 4-H, Pony Club, etc.
Once you’ve established your level of experience/commitment, monthly budget and your goals, you can begin the process of looking for the perfect pony.
Ideally, if your experience is minimal, your child should be taking lessons and the pony should be boarded at a reputable facility. Often times, the best person to find a pony for your child is the very person who is giving them lessons. Most Trainers/Instructors who specialize in children’s mounts have an arsenal of critters they own, or are familiar with, which could be appropriate for your child. In addition, most Instructors have a history with MANY other Instructors, Breeders, Trainers, and so on... Trust your trainer’s judgment, not every pony will be appropriate for every child no matter how pretty, talented, or cheap it is. After all, a pretty little $1500 pony may not be so pretty after you get it home, for one reason or another...
MOST importantly, for a beginner, the pony needs be able to safely accept your child’s riding level and willingly tolerate mistakes made if your child is not very experienced. I feel the need to stress this, though it should certainly be addressed with your child’s Instructor foremost.
In order for your child to really maximize the experience of having their own pony, they should be able to ride independently and be able to take on some of the responsibilities of ownership... like grooming and saddling. If parents are non-horsey types, then ideally the child should be able to stop, steer and maybe trot/jog on their own, in addition to being able to groom and provide general care for their pony. If parents are horsey-types, the child should be able to sit confidently, un-aided on the pony and should know and be able to execute basic commands like go & whoa while being led around.
The most important thing to remember when searching for your child’s first pony, is to trust your basic parenting skills and judgment. If your child is serious about riding, responsible or takes on responsibilities well, then they are likely to be a good candidate for pony owner-ship. If your child quickly tires of activities, toys and other pets, your better off waiting until your child is mature enough to demonstrate that they are able to take on such a large responsibility.
Having a pony as a member of your family can be a wonderful and rewarding experience. Children learn an invaluable host of life-skills by having and being around horses: character, responsibility, sportsmanship, team work, empathy… not to mention the bond and affection they develop for their pony. Be honest about your expectations before you go out and buy a pony for your child and you’ll be able maximize the enjoyment you both will have when you do finally get one.
Author: * Kimberly Outen
Credits: Jeanette Arnaout and Kasha Ford*
Kimberly Outen of Bittersweet Farms LLC is a Safety Certified Instructor and small NASPR breeder with over 20 years of experience with riding and training ponies, as well as training people to ride ponies. Feel free to visit her online at www.cedarpinefarm.com.
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