How To Buy A Horse: Should I Buy A Horse or Pony?

Welcome to the fourth edition of the series: How To Buy A Horse. A series where I’ve addressed some of the most commonly asked questions by people looking to buy their first horse. I’ve talked about the Best Breeds for First Time Buyers, How To Buy A Horse On a Budget and helped you navigate the Lease Vs Buy debate. Today, we’re diving into the world of horses and ponies to help you answer the crucial question;

Should I buy a horse or a pony?

Now, before we delve into the details, let’s clarify the distinction between horses and ponies for those who may be learning this for the first time. That is what we’re here for of course…

Ponies are not just young or small horses. Most noticeably, ponies are smaller than horses, and they will only ever grow to be 14.2 hands tall (hands is a unit of measure in how we measure height). Ponies have unique breeds like a Shetland, Welsh or Connemara for example and they typically have a rounder more stockier build than horses. While their size makes them ideal for children’s riding, ponies also have distinctively stubborn temperaments with strong personalities. A rider’s pony years are often looked back on as a memorable rite of passage 😊.

So, should you buy a horse or a pony? If you’re contemplating this decision for a young rider, here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

Growth and Leasing: If your child is pony-sized today, a pony could be a great place to start. But inevitably the young rider WILL outgrow the pony. For this reason specifically, leasing is quite a popular option with ponies and children. Leasing provides your child the opportunity to ride, learn, and establish their commitment to the sport before buying.

If your child is still quite small or young and there may be a few years of being pony-appropriate, buying might be a great solution too. Since leasing ponies is such a very popular option, you may have yourself an investment opportunity where you can lease out your pony when your child outgrows it.

Pony Appropriateness: All horses, including ponies have limits to what they can carry. The weight restrictions for both are generally 20% of their own body weight. A pony may be between 500 – 800lbs meaning they can carry from 100 – 160lbs.

Perhaps you have a child on the taller side who might outgrow a pony in length before they outgrow them in weight. There are no age or height requirements for a horse, so a small, sensible horse might be a great option for your tall young rider.

Showing Requirements: While there are no age restrictions to riding ponies, as long as you are appropriately within the weight limitations (many adults enjoy riding ponies too), if your child is hoping to show there are age and class restrictions on who can show ponies and what classes a pony can show in. Check with your coach on the details specifically for your needs or interests.

Generally speaking, ponies can be excellent teachers for young riders, in more ways than one.

Size suitability – given their size, it makes them well-suited for kids and young riders to work with the pony on their own on the ground – haltering them, leading them, grooming them, tacking them up with minimal support. They are easier to mount and dismount and when things go sideways, they are closer to the ground when they fall (an unfortunate reality of the sport…).

Confidence building – being able to work with your pony (above) is an empowering experience for young riders. They learn the responsibility that comes with riding beyond the fun they have in the saddle. They also gain confidence in being ‘the leader’ in handling the pony on their own.

Resilience building – in stride with the confidence building, and referring back to ponies with distinctively stubborn and strong personalities, ponies will often present challenges that are appropriately matched for young riders and kids. Ponies have minds of their own and often display that stubbornness. Learning to work through this can develop a child’s leadership skills, and self-confidence, develop their emotional regulation, and build resilience in the face of adversity.

Learning and Development – equally impressive as their strong personalities (and perhaps a part of it) is a ponies level of intelligence and responsiveness. Especially seasoned and experienced ponies, can be very good at their “jobs” and become excellent teachers in terms of developing a child’s riding skill. Ponies can be trusted and reliable partners allowing a young rider the opportunity to experience new things and take on new challenges – like cantering or jumping for the first time – without the added challenge of piloting a bigger horse.

Bonding and Love for Horses: what horse-loving little girl (or boy) doesn’t dream of having their own pony? Ponies bring so much joy and generally have the mindset to tolerate the fun of it all. Dressing them up, riding bareback, playing games and galloping around with your friends… the pony years aren’t just a rite of passage, they are core memories in the making.

Ready for a horse?

There is no formal ‘line in the sand’ type of milestone when a young rider should move up to riding horses. It’s typical to see kids under 12 riding ponies and moving up as they get more competitive and look to continue excelling in their riding development. Although, many of those decisions may be based on competitive goals and aspirations in the show ring and that may not be the case for you or your child.

Horses come in all shapes and sizes and there will be a well-suited, small horse that makes the perfect transition, or first horse for your young rider.

I say, enjoy the pony years while they last! Savor the fun and memory-making days at the barn with pony friends and let that season pass when it feels right.

Looking for a coach to help you find the perfect partner? I’ve got 7 Ways To Find A Coach that will give you some direction where to start.