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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| Just looking for some input on what you look for in a beginner type horse. We have been helping a family look for a horse for some time now and we have been on a few wild goose chases. We came across the cutest POA gelding this last weekend. He has been used for the last 3 years as a lesson pony and before that was used by a YMCA camp. He appears as safe as a horse can possibly be (I know all horses can be dangerous) and has experience in jumping, dressage, and western. Numerous miles on the trail and many youth have ridden this horse. The girl we are looking for has been riding about a year, but is very timid in the saddle. She has been riding a push button western pleasure horse during lessons. This POA took a bit more guiding in the arena and a couple times she had trouble getting him to go where she wanted, but in the end she could take him anywhere in the arena. He also took a bit of encouragement to get trotting. In my mind, I feel a beginner should ride a horse that takes a little encouragement. However, the parents are a bit concerned. They wanted a very soft, light horse for this girl. My thoughts are a very light, responsive horse "responds," and if the young lady cues wrong I am concerned the horse may respond and intimidate her. Looking for some input and encouragement!
What are everyone's thoughts? And what have your beginner horses been like? Thank you! |
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  Living on the edge of common sense
Posts: 24139
   
Location: Carpenter, WY | This horse sounds like a good step up from the western pleasure horse to me. I doubt the YMCA would keep a renegade around:) I would think besides challenging her skills that once she learned she can control it that her confidence will grow also. I hope the girl is out of earshot of the parents throwing all the doubt in there. Definitely not the way to build
confidence. |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | My oldest daughter isn't a very timid rider, but she is easily quite frustrated when the horse/pony doesn't do what she wants. In my opinion though, it makes her need to 'want it' and work at it a bit (character building, lol). I also would rather she need to work at it with a good minded horse/pony than have one that easily moves, as she can be a little rough because she doesn't have the best seat/hands yet.
We've had two ponies, a largish YMCA therapeutic riding program retiree and now a mini, and they both have taught her very valuable lessons. We also have a mare that she rides, and what I've found is that the mare has a few too many 'buttons' for my daughter to be able to handle well at this point. They work together ok, and I think probably this year they'll click even more. I have to say though, the YMCA pony was the best ever. With a timid rider, I would be even more hesitant to put the girl on an easy moving horse, especially one that moves really easy on the first visit. I'd rather the horse be a bit cautious with my kiddo in that situation. But that's just my opinion :).
ETA, I think Teehaha is totally right on. My 6yo has gotten a lot of confidence the more she's worked through 'getting the horses to move', specifically where she wants them too, lol.
Edited by Ridenrun4745 2014-04-28 2:10 PM
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I think something that needs encouragment is MUCH better than one that knows everything. Seems that the ones that know everything aren't interested in keeping kids safe, they are too smart for their own good and can take advantage. A horse that says "Make me do it" and then does it, is so much safer in the long run because they'll only do as much as the rider is ready for. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| Thank you all for your input! They have a natural horsemanship trainer that they have been talking to and he has a welsh/thoroughbred cross that he has put hours into training. But the horse is only 5, maybe 6 years old and it has a ton of buttons. It sounds appealing, but I don't think the girl is ready for all that as she is just learning. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | teehaha - 2014-04-28 11:18 AM
This horse sounds like a good step up from the western pleasure horse to me. I doubt the YMCA would keep a renegade around:) I would think besides challenging her skills that once she learned she can control it that her confidence will grow also. I hope the girl is out of earshot of the parents throwing all the doubt in there. Definitely not the way to build
confidence.
Ditto all of this!!
That little POA sounds great! WP horses are only so fun for so long - in my opinion. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | I also agree with the comments about too many buttons. As an ADULT who is very experienced, I get frustrated getting on a new horse that has weird, new, or different buttons than I'm used to. Granted, I can adapt pretty quickly to it, but I would think for a little kid it would just be even MORE frustrating. Especially if they ended up buying her a horse that had different buttons than the horse she is used to... It's like driving somebody else's car, all of the sudden it is like you've never driven before ever. |
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 Expert
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| I agree that he sounds like a good one! I had a pretty beginner safe Tennessee Walker mare when I first started. She was headstrong sometimes but she really built my confidence so much! We would trail ride everyday after school and there was always a new obstacle but she minded pretty well and it taught me a lot. I hope they get that guy! |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| PS...I have never met a POA I didn't like. I've met lots, I used to do breed shows! Only a couple adult classes and those are the futurity classes, everything else are 18 and under.
There's a reason they are usually kids horses. :) |
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Expert
Posts: 1304
| I'm adding also that I just started barrel racing last year after wanting to do it for yeeeeears and although I'm not a kid, I got a beginner safe barrel horse to ride. She goes exactly my speed! Other's tried to push me to get something faster (she's only 3d) but no, not when learning!! I hope the parents realize that's exactly what she needs, something slow and laid back to build her confidence when riding! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| Thank you for all the great reply's! They haven't decided whether or not to buy him. What would a average value be on a registered POA, pretty, sound, reliable pony be? Big enough for a adult also. How much would be a fair price do you think? |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | How old is he? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| Ridenrun4745 - 2014-04-29 10:15 AM
How old is he?
12 years old |
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Beginner Horses