[westonsma]

I'm looking for a pony my son will be able to ride in a few years, but want some experience with a different breed. The shetlands I have come into contact with were temperamental, and it's not a breed I want for my son. My husband and I live on a cattle ranch in rural Montana, and I want my son to be able to ride out and work cows with his dad, so we need a somewhat cow-pony. Any ideas?

 

[Indyhorse]

Sounds like a good Quarter Pony would be well suited.

 

[CheyAut]

^ Agreed. Or a POA.

 

[AztecBaby]

A good Quarter Pony sounds ideal. I have a two year old filly that is just great, my 10yr old brother rides her around bareback and she only has about 15rides on her and I broke her. All the QP's I know have been really laid back and gentle.

 

[ChingazMyBoy]

I agree, a nice, calm, laid back Quater Pony sounds like the perfect horse. How old is your son or how old will he be when he starts riding the pony.

 

[strawboss]

small quarter horse or lippitt morgan. temperment is the important thing. a 13.2 or 14 hand horse(pony) would be good for what you want and will last through several years of your sons growing up.

 

[Wallaby]

All the QP's I know have been really laid back and gentle.

That's funny because I've never met a laid back QP. :lol: The ones (4 at my camp) I've met were very cow-y mareish mares...so maybe they were just an anomaly. However, even though they were mareish and and ornery, they were completely trustworthy and solid as long as you just let them do their job and didn't try to tell them what to do.

I'm a POA fan. I've met a few and the ones that I've been lucky enough to spend major time with all seemed to need someone to be emotionally attached to but once they had that person they were rock solid. I like how they have some pep yet they think...Maybe it's because I'm a Arab fan too, and POA's remind me of tinier, spotted, more laid back Arabs. Haha

I'd suggest an Arab (they do have cow sense, if you find the right lines) or a POA. I've met a few of POA's and Lacey is an Arab (but I've met quite a few) and I would not hesitate to trust either breed with a kid. I like feeling like if I get into trouble on the trail that my mount would be able to get us out safely, which isn't a feeling I've ever gotten from a QP or a QH. But I'm obviously biased so yeah. Haha

Good luck!

 

[deineria]

POA sounds ideal, like everyone has said.

 

[danastark]

I agree with the POA recommendation. We had a cute little Welsh cob who did the typical pony thing once in a while. Got to the point where my youngest daughter was falling off at least once a ride so we traded him in on a POA and have never looked back! He is 13.3, about 900 lbs., great size that will last my daughter a long time, my husband and I ride him too! Easy keeper, nice, hard hooves that don't need shoes, you can dress him up, ride him bareback on trail, open gates, he doesn't care. He does not EVER do anything to get out of work under saddle, except maybe go a little slow but with the right rider, he can really go! No ponytude Plus, he's flashy too! We love him and he has a forever home! We do Pony Club and I think besides the particular pony or small horse, we say the child's age plus the horse/pony's age should equal 21 to have a mature enough mount for the child.

 

[Tasia]

^ Not all older horse are broke and safe

 

[tscowgirl]

POAs will often have a pony attitude as well, i would def. say a nice mid age to older quarter pony gelding would be great. Ive never met a qp i didnt like