The best advise I can give any parent thinking about buying a horse or pony for their child is "Do your research!" It's crucial to find the right match for your family.
Not every horse or pony will meet your child's needs, financial budget and the family's time schedule.
When looking for a horse or pony parents need to consider whether to buy, lease, or half lease.
When buying a horse or pony, parents (not children) are taking full responsibility.
The first issue is shelter.
Where is the horse or pony going to live? Is there adequate space on the property, is there time to feed twice a day, muck out stalls, turnout and bring the horse or pony in at night? If you decide to lease or half lease a horse, the parents don't own the horse and therefore are bound by the terms and conditions of the contract between parents and the owner.
These conditions can vary greatly depending on how much involvement is required by either party.
No matter if the parents decide to buy or lease they need to look for a horse or pony that is safe and respectful of the child.
Cool-horses like Quarter Horses and Appaloosas are known for their mellow demeanor and quiet temperament.
They can be used for most disciplines in the equestrian world and the child will not out grow a horse like they would with a pony.
When looking for a pony be aware of any nasty habits.
Because of the small size of a pony, they don't always have proper training under saddle.
Even though ponies may be wonderful in hand, they often could have vices when ridden.
The last major thing for parents to consider when buying a horse or pony for their child is - time and money.
Can the family commit as many hours that is needed to take care of a horse or pony.
Along with riding, there has to be time for feeding, tack cleaning, turn out, mucking stalls and the list goes on! Horses and ponies are expensive! Be prepared to set aside about $1200 a month for a year.
If you can afford this and prepared to commit to the many factors involved in owning a horse, your family is ready for a horse or pony.
Not every horse or pony will meet your child's needs, financial budget and the family's time schedule.
When looking for a horse or pony parents need to consider whether to buy, lease, or half lease.
When buying a horse or pony, parents (not children) are taking full responsibility.
The first issue is shelter.
Where is the horse or pony going to live? Is there adequate space on the property, is there time to feed twice a day, muck out stalls, turnout and bring the horse or pony in at night? If you decide to lease or half lease a horse, the parents don't own the horse and therefore are bound by the terms and conditions of the contract between parents and the owner.
These conditions can vary greatly depending on how much involvement is required by either party.
No matter if the parents decide to buy or lease they need to look for a horse or pony that is safe and respectful of the child.
Cool-horses like Quarter Horses and Appaloosas are known for their mellow demeanor and quiet temperament.
They can be used for most disciplines in the equestrian world and the child will not out grow a horse like they would with a pony.
When looking for a pony be aware of any nasty habits.
Because of the small size of a pony, they don't always have proper training under saddle.
Even though ponies may be wonderful in hand, they often could have vices when ridden.
The last major thing for parents to consider when buying a horse or pony for their child is - time and money.
Can the family commit as many hours that is needed to take care of a horse or pony.
Along with riding, there has to be time for feeding, tack cleaning, turn out, mucking stalls and the list goes on! Horses and ponies are expensive! Be prepared to set aside about $1200 a month for a year.
If you can afford this and prepared to commit to the many factors involved in owning a horse, your family is ready for a horse or pony.