General Horsemanship: Safe Ponies for Kids

THINKING OF GETTING A PONY FOR YOUR CHILD? HERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KEEP IN MIND:

Not all ponies are created equal. You should consider that some ponies will remain very small while your child is growing quite fast. Getting a tiny shetland for a 5-6 year old child will mean that in a few years your child will outgrow the pony and have to give up the pet he or she dearly loves. Unless you are prepared to keep the pony for a pet and/or pass it on to a younger child there may be a problem with selling it. Most children hate to part with the things they love, especially a living creature. It can be a traumatic as losing a pet or even a loved one to death. Please think about getting a larger pony so your child can ride it into his or her pre-teens or even longer.

The next issue is the level of training your pony has received. Ponies who are bomb proof are hard to find. If you want one that your 5-6 year old can ride by his or her self without being lead around, consider finding an older pony. One who has been used by a child in Pony Club, 4-H, or one who has been at a teaching stable or on a pony ring. (Here is a note about the pony ring: many of these ponies are very gentle, but have no idea how to rein..see the article THE SHETLAND PONY - GETTING A BAD REP for training tips, or be prepared to find a trainer who understands ponies.)

I would also recommend that your child have a few lessons so she or he can learn how to control the pony. How do you stop, turn, and especially safety!

Safety is a key factor and it is imperative that you purchase a good helmet for your child. Helmets have been used for years by those who ride English, and should be used by every child who rides. Just as this protection is important for bike riders, it is just as important for horse back riders.

Size Recommendations, Here are some guidelines:

Child's Age, Use of Pony, Breed, Size of Pony

A child 3 - 4 years old- You should always lead the pony, your child is too
young to ride independently. Shetland or Shetland/Welsh cross, small
Welsh or POA 9 to 11 hands

a child 5 - 7 years old - Your child can ride independently with very close
supervision. Lessons are highly recommended. Welsh, Welsh cross,
POA, cross bred pony11 - 14.2 hands.

Children 8 and up. Your child can ride independently, with supervision
until your trainer or riding instructor tells you it is ok for solo riding.
Continue with lessons in the chosen discipline. Welsh, Welsh cross,
POA, cross bred pony, or American Sport Pony 12 - 14.2 hands.

Teens or adults - If you are 5'6" or taller, then you should consider a full size horse. Any breed that fits your size and experience level, and desired discipline. 13.3 - 14.2 hand.













Here is a letter and response from me from a visitor... these same questions have been asked many times:

Subject: Safe pony

Hi! Nice web site, very insightful! I need to know what to specifically look for as I try to find the right pony for my children ages 10, 9, 7 with one summer of riding lessons. We bought a POA earlier this year and he turned out to be completely unsafe. I have sold him to a lady who is petite enough to train him with the understanding he is not a kid safe pony.

Your article on finding ponies for kids was insightful, after all, a pony is bought for children. I do feel that ponies get a bad rap. Everyone tells me to stick to horses. How do you know if they (pony) will work specifically for your (our) needs? What should we be looking for as far as temperament and handling issues specific to the animal? We tried this POA out extensively at the owners, he sure was different here, and dangerous, too.

Anything you could share with me would be greatly appreciated. I have two other horses, have always loved the animals. We could give that special pony a wonderful, loving home for his/her lifetime, if I could just find one that isn't thousands of dollars, and isn't misrepresented..... Thanks again, S.

Dear Sue,
Response: Thank you for your encouraging email! I appreciate it.

Now, about that pony.... It is very difficult to find the right one, people lie. Plain and simple. Let me start with places to avoid: Auctions, Horse Traders, the newspaper. Places to look are: Your local 4-H group, United States Pony Club, someone in your area who breeds ponies of the size you are looking for who is also someone who cares about their reputation.

Horses and ponies are unreliable at best and dangerous at the worst. Even the most solid of ponies can freak out at a plastic bag or something, you know this already.

We found our Foxy, Margaret's first pony,
at the local swap meet where there was a
man who had a pony ring. She was dead
broke. AND, we didn't know at the time,
trained to neck rein, drive, and jump.
I think she may have been a 4-H or Pony
Club pony a long time ago. It was a lucky
break. Often there is no way to tell, and
that is the problem.

I try to ride the pony myself... but I have gained weight lately so sometimes that won't work. AND if you are riding at someone elses house, the current owner, you don't know if they have drugged the pony to make it calmer. There are many, many ways to calm it down and you wouldn't be the wiser. I recommend making an agreement, in writing, with witnesses, that you will try the pony at YOUR house for 2 weeks or more before committing to a purchase. You may have to pay a lease fee. That way you know that the pony isn't getting anything to calm it down.

I still say pony club and 4-H are your best bets! Those ponies are well trained, experienced, and gentle. Some pony clubs use many thoroughbreds, off the track... not a good idea in my opinion. BUT the members may know someone who started with a pony and now is ready to move to a big horse.

Your investment in a good pony (I wouldn't pay more than $2500 for an unregistered, Pony Club or 4-H experienced pony) will pay you back when your kids are safe. Also, when they outgrow it you can sell it and get your money back - if the kids will let you! You may also consider a lease, which can work out well if the pony is a good one.

Don't forget the helmet!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the link for the United States Pony Club site.
Here is the link for 4-H.
You can email them for information on clubs in your local area.

I hope this helps... I know it is tough, but if you persist you can do it!
Pam Hunter

DEFINITION ~
A HAND is a way of measuring horses.  ( a hand is 4")

Each hand is 4 inches. This came from using the width of a man's hand to tell the size of a horse. A pony that is 11 hands high (hh is an abbreviation you will often see) is really 44 inches.

Miniature horses are the only breed that uses inches. A PONY is any horse under 14.2 hands high. Most Hunter Ponies are about 12 - 14.2 hands high.