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Reccomendations for a 6 yr old

2K views 14 replies 13 participants last post by  blue eyed pony 
#1 ·
I am thinking about getting a horse for my daughter. She is a beginner rider, so would need something calm/trained to take lessons on. She doesn't like tall horses, so something smaller would be great. QH's and POA's are definitely in the running for our top pick, but I don't really know much about the smaller horses to make a decision. Does anyone have any reccomendations?
 
#3 ·
Gotta agree with franknbeans, loan or lessons. You'll find a horse that'll be too big and no fun, or one the right height she'll grow out of in a couple of years.

Not only that, she may lose interest. Then you're stuck with a pony ;)

Also, if you do decide to buy, make sure its big enough to get a teenager or young light adult on it so they can give it some training otherwise you end up with naughty pony syndrome.
 
#5 ·
Agree, agree, agree.

If you want to find something for your daughter to ride, look for a lease of a school pony type. She will outgrow what you need now in ability and size wise in very short order, so the lease of an absolutely bomb proof leadline and walk/trot pony is what you want now, to be traded up for something requires a little more riding in a year or two.

Also beware of the fact that a six year old usually can't handle a horse by herself in terms of catching, grooming, tacking up, etc., and that my interfere with her feeling like it's "her" horse.

With lesson kids coming up in my barn, I wouldn't let them lease a pony until they could catch, groom, tack up on their own, and do some simple schooling in the ring with minimal supervision. Average age for those skills was 10 - 12; very few children are able before 10. I preferred that they lease a pony from me for 6 - 18 months to sort of try on the responsibility of horse care before they bought their own.
 
#7 ·
Make sure she gets lessons at a barn where they'll teach her how to groom the horse and put tack on it (if she's tall enough and strong enough to hold the saddle). This will make a huge difference in determining if she's really into horses enough to have her own at some point. It's also a really good way to start learning how to take care of horses.
 
#8 ·
Okay, this is silly. I know plenty of 6 year olds who are perfectly capable of catching a horse, leading, grooming, tacking, and even riding on their own. It all depends on the 6 year old, and of course on the horse.

That said, lessons and leasing are a great option. If you buy a horse that fits her height and skill now, in a few years, she will outgrow it, and be faced with the tough decision to sell her first pony. See if you can find a nice lesson barn with horses for lease. That will give her a taste of what having her own horse is like, without taking on the long-term financial responsibility.
 
#9 ·
I would suggest lessons also just to make sure she really does enjoy it. My brother made the decision to get my nieces a horse last christmas and they ended up selling it after a few months cause they didn't like her.
My nephew is 5 and has been taking lessons for a year and he rides a 13 hand pony. But he is like in his late 20's so he's calm.
 
#11 ·
I agree with most on here..lessons and more lessons with a trainer that will make her groom, pick out the feet when she is able, and when she can...teach her to tack her horse.
This will give her time to decide if she really wants to have her own horse.
Make it as much fun as you can for her...if she loves it, she will start bugging for a horse of her own when she is older. Best of luck
 
#12 · (Edited)
I have to agree, for right now lessons is the way to go. She has been away from horses for 2 years, we need to start over at the basics. Safety first. :) If she likes it and sticks with it, then we will talk about getting her something.
 
#13 ·
Just gotta put my vote in for when shes ready, POA! They make great kids ponies and if you get a larger one it will be fine for adults to ride but small enough for her to feel safe. They are great horses, all Ive met are level headed and mellow. My sister leased a POA mare for a while and my gelding is POA, I just love them! And go with an older one, the oldies make the best kids buddies.
 
#14 · (Edited)
I also agree that lessons are the best place to start, but if and when she does get her own horse, I think that a 13 to 14 hand pony is an awesome size. They are small enough to be more manageable, but still big enough to get real schooling from adult riders if needed and kids won't typically grow out of them too quick.

I never grew out of my 13.2 hh Welsh Cob! I still ride her and love her more than anything... but then I'm only 5'3". ^_^
 
#15 ·
Agree with Eolith. A large pony is GREAT!! I am short and slender but with REALLY long legs and so my 15.1 1/2 hand medium-build Anglo Arab only just barely takes up my leg. I would like another hand of height on him. I'm only 5'4" and 110 pounds!

And yet I can still happily ride a 13.3hh solid pony. Cob-types mostly. 13.3 and SOLID is great, takes up SO much leg but isn't so hugely tall that the kid feels terribly over-horsed. If you look at the welsh cobs or if you're in the $$$$$$$ (or the UK) try a gypsy cob/vanner, your child will NEVER grow out of it, and they can easily be hauled back into line by an adult or teenager if they're getting too big for their boots.
 
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