Could I share a pony with my daughter?

[annieapple7]

Hi everyone
Looking for some views...where we keep our horses we have room for 3. We have my friend's elderly pony (33); my daughter's 4 year old 11hh pony and my 20 year old 16hh TB.
But my old boy is going blind and I won't be able to ride him for much longer. But I have to have a horse to ride.
So....should I sell my little 11hh (sob) for a stocky pony that my daughter could learn to ride on (she is 4) which I could also ride (I am 5'5" and when I get my hot cross bun habit under control, will be 10 stone. Is this unrealistic?

[LowRegNumber]

To be honest, yes it is unrealistic.

Finding a pony stocky enough to take you but not too tall will mean that it is far too wide for your dd to get her legs round and she won't get her legs past the saddle flaps meaning she can't learn to ride properly.

If you are happy for her to ride just with the reins for the next few years then it could work but if you want her to learn to ride she needs something that fits properly.

Not sure what to offer as a solution though, it is difficult when you honour your commitment to your elderly ponies (as so few people do) but have limited room!

[Callisto]

I don't think you can realistically pony share with such a young child. However, would a ride/drive pony work for you? I'm about to break DD's 11.2hh pony to drive so that he gets a bit more use and experience.

Alternatively, get a bigger pony and take your DD to a riding school for lessons. That way she gets the best of both worlds and so do you.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Hmmm. Tough one. I think it all depends on the pony. I agree with the other Posts, mainly. However. It depends what you want. If you want a proper riding competing pony for you, then no. If you just want a hack/mess about, then yes. You could share if you find the right pony. All of the natives will carry small adults at a push. I used to ride a 13hh new forest, who had no problems with me, and was by no means stocky. We currently have a large traditional Shetland, who I carries me easily, even with my HCB habit. She came from a riding school and has taught many tots to ride, but could easily do dressage with my 12yo. (she has an amazing extended trot) I think you need to take every pony you look at on it's own merits. Try it out, see how it feels. If you think it is carrying you happily, it probably is. The only drawback is, that you will probably look quite silly! Our shettie is easily 13hh in body size, she just has short legs. I look like I'm riding a big pony in a deep ditch! You could easily ride a dartmoor/exmoor/new forest/large Shetland, you just need to find one which is predominantly a l/r f/r.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

P.s. Is your 11hh pony up to your weight? You often see people of your height/weight 'riding in' welshies at shows before the small children are put aboard. I actually find this a quite distasteful part of the showing world. These ponies are ridden into submission. That said, a gentle hack about shouldnt be a problem. You just need to be sensible.

[Pixel]

A lady I used to work with had a 12.2hh welsh. The only reason she took him on was because he'd had a bad start and was far too much for a child to handle so his future was looking a bit dodgy (and she was a soft touch). He carried her for miles and never got tired (although we all often wished he would, it was exhausting just watching!), and even came with us on some long-distance sponsored rides (one was 15 miles) which he completed easily. The lady wasn't tall but I'd say she weighed about 9.5 - 10 stone.

[annieapple7]

Thanks everyone. I can't imagine riding Danny - even though I saw Martin Clunes on the TV riding a tiny Mongolian pony!
I wondered about a stocky cobby 13.2...I just want to hack out.
The other issue is my old horse going blind and how long it is kind to keep him

[LowRegNumber]

You need to talk to your vet about that one and see how it goes. If he goes totally blind then I can't see him managing however I have known horses who are quite happy with almost total loss of sight. Handlers just used to ensure they talked/whistled/hummed all the time when around so the horse always knew where people were (one yard had a sign "for your safety and our horses peace of mind please ensure you keep talking!" everyone would explain why to new people and no-one had a problem with it). It can work but it depends on the horses temprament and psych. Like people animals cope differently with disability, some are not really bothered some are miserable.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

The thing is, your 4 year old isnt going to be able to manage a 13.2 stocky cob for another 10 years or so! DD is 12 and fairly light and TBH, she would struggle if it tanked off!
How about an exmoor?
Its all about the pony really, you need to find a proper schoolmaster if its going to be bigger. You run the risk of knocking her confidence for the sake of having something to hack.
Where are you? If you are near Colchester, you are welcome to come and try some of our ponies for size, (not for sale obv, just to see how you fit) and see how small you could go.

[annieapple7]

Thanks so much saggy but we are in south wales. looks like i will have to think of something else!

[ManateeEquineOhara]

My mare is a very stocky 13hh, although my DCs both ride her she is strong, and my 6yr old DD's legs still don't go past the saddle flaps due to the extreme width of DHorse, so she has lessons at a riding school.

I hope you manage to think of something, I couldn't bear not to have a horse to ride either.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

At your size and weight, for the odd hack, a welsh A would do.