Hi new to the horsey section. My 6 year old daughter has been having riding lessons for the last 12 months and now wants us to buy her a pony which we have said we would not do straight away but we would consider a loan. The thing is she now knows how to ride but she needs to learn all the other things that go with a pony ie. taking care of it, feeding etc. I've tried placing ads on websites selling/loaning ponies asking if she can help someone to look after their pony so that she can learn but help them in return but have had no responses. She is so keen she gets to her lesson 45 mins before she's due to start and we are still there an hour after as she just loves walking round the yard seeing and talking to all the horses. It's so frustrating there must be so many people out there who could do with the help and it would teach my daughter at the same time but I don't know where to look for them. Any suggestions?

It's a pity you don't live closer to me as we have 4 horses and can always do with an extra pair of little hands. Does your local riding school not have special clubs during the holidays? Ours does "Own your own pony days" etc which the kids love. Also try your local pony club branch, you don't need to own a pony to join the pony club and they are great for teaching the kids everything from basic to more advanced levels.

Good luck, I hope you get sorted x

Unfortunately because of her age many yards will not be allowed to have her around to help out.
Most riding schools however do run stable management lessons so maybe once a fortnight instead of her riding lesson ask for a stable management lesson instead.
Your best bet is to find someone local who keeps their horses privately and offer to help out occassionally.
If you are horsey too that would be easier as a lot of people will not be willing to have the responsibility of a 6 year old around horses without parental supervision.

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Honestly at her age she is not old enough to do more than help someone look after one. Which means if you do loan one you will have to pay for full livery or do it yourself.

I would suggest you take some stable management lessons. You will then see if you are prepared for the commitment owning a pony needs and will be able to teach her yourself

I've had horses all my life but find the work involved with my horse and two of my daughters to be hard, especially in winter.

Even young teenagers shouldn't really be left in sole charge of a pony IMO, in fact our yard insists on an adult being present for under 16's

Just an update. Since posting my original thread i spoke with my daughters riding instructor to ask if she knew anyone my daughter could help out with their pony. She said she didn't know anyone she could help but she herself had a pony for part loan. I was a bit dubious about loaning until she knew abit more but her instructor said she would help teach her whilst she was loaning. Anyway we went and had a look at the pony & of course my daughter fell in love with him. We've now had him for about 4 weeks 3 days a week and yesterday we both mucked him out, brought him in from the field, groomed him, tacked him up and she had a ride in the menage and all by ourselves. We were both so proud of ourselves and after we'd put him in his stable for bed her instructor came over and said she'd been watching us from round the corner and how well we had done!! Being someone who knew nothing about horses and had no confidence around them I'm amazed at how much I'm enjoying being around him and spending time at the yard as well as spending time with my daughter. (She's one of 3 and we didn't get much time on our own before but now my husband has the other 2 while we're at the yard).

Good for you it's so nice to hear a happy ending you'l both love it

Thanks so much for letting us know!! That's wondeful news.

I spy a new Pony Club Mother!!!!

Yeah JSR, have been looking at the pony club website today but all abit confusing at the mo. Maybe look again in a couple of months time. Don't want to run before we can walk, we're taking it slow. x

Lots of riding clubs do "own a pony" days which i found really useful before i got my lovely horse. How about asking the yard manager where your daughter rides if she could spend a couple wkends up at the yard helping getting the horses ready for the lessons. I'm sure that he/she would be happy for some free help. Having your own pony/horse is a very rewarding expierence but also a lot of hard work so keep that in mind when decidind.