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Veteran
Posts: 269
 
| We already have a nice kids horse, but hubby has a friend selling a pony (actually a mini I think) that is supposed to be really broke and fairly young. My oldest is 2 years old, so no hurry. I had ponies growing up so im not opposed to them, but my biggest fear with the mini is my daughter riding behind a big horse and getting kicked. Tell me the pros and cons of little horse vs big horse for kiddos. | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 214
| Our oldest turned 3 in November. We were fortunate enough to have someone let us have their pony for as long as needed. He is 22 I think and stands maybe 12hh? Pros he is safe, my daughter can go catch him, lead him etc by herself she is still watched like a hawk but the difference between the pony size vs a big horse size allows her to learn how to handle them safely while keeping my mommy nerves a bit more controlled. We are just using this pony for lead line, I do not see my daughter riding him off by herself so we can avoid the riding up behind a big horse situation, which I totally agree with your concern on that!
The pony has been fantastic, at 3 we are still struggling with the not running up behind horses, holding the lead rope correctly so its not accidently wrapped around hands etc where even as gentle as our horses are I don't see myself allowing her to lead any of them on her own any time soon. She does ride him but I see more benefit in her learning all the stuff on the ground with something much smaller than our big horses. I didn't grow up with ponies, my dad was actually strongly against "those mean little suckers" lol and we have seen plenty of naughty ones but I am pro GOOD ponies now after having the one our daughters have. | |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I'm not a fan of minis, personally. They're just too little, IMO.
If you are thinking pony, stick with a larger Quarter pony, or my Fav, POA.
Some horses are great and will take care of a very small human that they probably don't even know is up there, and others will take advantage. Of course, they are all like that too. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Nateracer - 2018-03-23 12:44 PM
I'm not a fan of minis, personally. They're just too little, IMO.
If you are thinking pony, stick with a larger Quarter pony, or my Fav, POA.
Some horses are great and will take care of a very small human that they probably don't even know is up there, and others will take advantage. Of course, they are all like that too.
Yes, for POAs. I competitively showed POAs starting at a pretty young age. I had several that could rival a big horse in a pleasure class. They are a great place to start. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
 
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I always said I would own a mini for my child. Once I actually had a child I was like Mmmmm Nope. I've seen too many founder, too many run off, lay down, get hard headed, etc.
My little one is going to be mounted on a standard size donkey until she is older. She may look funny out in the arena but those suckers can see all four feet and rarely trip. Surefooted as they come. Once they're trained, they're trained. You don't have to keep repeating yourself. They're very smart animals. After doing research and seeing them first hand with a friend who trains and shows donkeys and mules of all sizes, I can't wait until my little one can ride her donkey.
While she is little I trust a donkey more than a pony.  | |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-23 1:02 PM
I always said I would own a mini for my child. Once I actually had a child I was like Mmmmm Nope. I've seen too many founder, too many run off, lay down, get hard headed, etc.
My little one is going to be mounted on a standard size donkey until she is older. She may look funny out in the arena but those suckers can see all four feet and rarely trip. Surefooted as they come. Once they're trained, they're trained. You don't have to keep repeating yourself. They're very smart animals. After doing research and seeing them first hand with a friend who trains and shows donkeys and mules of all sizes, I can't wait until my little one can ride her donkey.
While she is little I trust a donkey more than a pony.
My very first "barrel horse" was a MULE!!
We had a team that pulled and the mare was broke to ride. She would go wherever I pointed her, often the wrong direction LOL. Once my mom was sure my sister and I were going to stay interested, she found us an older horse that actually knew the patterns. But I'll never forget old Ruth. | |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | dashnlotti - 2018-03-23 1:11 PM IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-23 1:02 PM I always said I would own a mini for my child. Once I actually had a child I was like Mmmmm Nope. I've seen too many founder, too many run off, lay down, get hard headed, etc.
My little one is going to be mounted on a standard size donkey until she is older. She may look funny out in the arena but those suckers can see all four feet and rarely trip. Surefooted as they come. Once they're trained, they're trained. You don't have to keep repeating yourself. They're very smart animals. After doing research and seeing them first hand with a friend who trains and shows donkeys and mules of all sizes, I can't wait until my little one can ride her donkey.
While she is little I trust a donkey more than a pony. My very first "barrel horse" was a MULE!! We had a team that pulled and the mare was broke to ride. She would go wherever I pointed her, often the wrong direction LOL. Once my mom was sure my sister and I were going to stay interested, she found us an older horse that actually knew the patterns. But I'll never forget old Ruth.
How sweet. My little girl LOVES the donkeys and mules. She still isn't so sure about the horses. She will pet them and sit on them but she doesn't want to ride them. She wants to ride any donkey she sees. She loves their ears and when they bray.  | |
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Pony vs Horse for kids