Your Child's
First Pony Avoiding Pony Problems
by: Audrey Pavia
While many adult riders were
fortunate enough as kids to have a wonderful pony who took care
of us as we were learning, there are plenty of other riders out
there who have less-than-fond memories of that first mount. Many
of these kids from a few decades ago are not even involved with
horses anymore - that’s how unhappy their pony recollections
are. You may have run across these people in your travels. They
have no shortage of pony horror stories to share. Tales of being
bitten, kicked, stepped on and dumped from the saddle by their
ponies are common. While your first pony was your best friend,
for these young equestrians, their first pony was their worst
enemy.
When you hear these stories, you probably don’t react with
surprise, even though your own experiences were different. After
all, ponies, as a group, tend to have a reputation throughout
the horse world for being bratty.
Why are ponies notorious for misbehaving? Is there something
inherent in their personalities? Does a disregard for humans
come along with the small size? Most pony breeders and trainers
give a resounding “no” to these questions. Instead,
they point the finger for pony problems at people who don’t
treat ponies with the same regard they give full-sized horses
- and that’s a big mistake. “It’s a situation
that has been created by humans, and is purely an excuse for
bad training or even non-training,” said Cynthia Kirby,
owner of Saltwood Farms Welsh Ponies in Middletown, Rhode Island.
Another problem with ponies is that they are often relegated
to the hands of children, since the two are so well-matched in
the size department. However, children rarely know how to properly
handle any equine and will often “spoil” a pony with
poor treatment. Unintentional abuse is another problem. Ponies
often get kicked in the belly, pulled in the mouth, put away
wet and so on - treatment that will make any pony ‘difficult’
after a while. The bottom line is that children must be taught
how to properly handle the pony and to have respect for it.
The Kid Check
The first ingredient to a successful child and pony relationship
is one so obvious that it’s a wonder it even has to be said:
make sure your child actually wants a pony. This may seem absurd,
but many trainers say that some parents don’t bother to
find out if the kid actually cares about having a pony. Sometimes,
it turns out, the pony is really for the parent.
Another important thing to do before buying a pony is to teach
your child to ride and work with a horse on the ground. There
are a lot of children with their own ponies who haven’t
a clue how to handle a horse. Have your child take regular lessons
for at least six months, and consider leasing a pony at first
before buying. This will give you a real sense as to whether
or not this will be a lasting interest for your kid.
The Right Pony
When it comes to a successful pony/kid relationship, there’s
nothing more important than picking the right pony. And before
you can do this, you need to figure out exactly what you and
your child want from a pony.
Breeders and trainers recommend that a child’s first pony
be an animal that the young person can learn to ride on, and
build her confidence with. The most important factor is the pony’s
temperament and disposition.
A good trainer can help you judge the pony’s disposition,
and it’s always wise to take one with you when you go shopping.
If you live in an area where trainers are scarce, find an experienced
pony person, someone who has worked with both children and ponies.
No matter who you take with you, it should be someone you feel
comfortable with. And don’t forget to listen to their advice.
Start out by looking for a pony that has been around the block
a time or two. Putting an inexperienced child on a young, inexperienced
pony is usually a recipe for disaster. Fifteen to twenty years
is not too old for a first pony. Don’t make the terrible
mistake of getting a young pony so that the pony and the child
can grow up together.
When you go out pony shopping, it’s a good idea to take
your trainer but leave your child at home. The reason for this
is simple: kids have a tendency to fall in love with the first
pony they see. Without the influence of your child, you’ll
be able to look for a pony that feels safe to you and one you
will be comfortable having your child spend time with.
Other factors to consider are the pony’s conformation and
way of going. Size is important too.The pony should fit your
child’s size when you are buying it. If the pony is too
big for the child to handle, she won’t want to ride. Although
it’s nice to have a good looking pony who moves well and
is the perfect size for your child, don’t sacrifice a good,
safe temperament for any of these. They aren’t as important
as your child’s safety. Sometimes, the ugly pony no one
wants is the kindest one.
Once you think you’ve found a safe pony with a gentle disposition,
arrange for your child to meet the pony and work with it for
the next week to 10 days, minimum. Don’t give your child
any background information on the pony, since you don’t
want to influence her. Have her handle the pony every day, grooming
it, leading it, tacking it up, riding it. Watch for chemistry
between the two. If the pony seems happy being handled by the
child, and the child falls madly in love with the pony, then
this is the match you are looking for.
Before you make that final decision, be sure to have a veterinarian
perform a pre-purchase exam on the pony. You want to make sure
the animal is healthy before you bring it home and your child
gets really attached to it.
Making It Work
Now that you have found an experienced, well-mannered pony that
your child loves, you need to nurture their relationship. The
best way to do this is to be there for both your child and the
pony, in both body and mind.
While you want your child’s pony to be somewhat of a baby-sitter,
don’t expect to leave the two of them alone all the time
- and not at all for the first six months. The reason for this
is that children need to have a sense of authority present, even
when they are just having fun with their pony. A number of things
could happen to frighten your child and the pony (something as
simple as an attacking bee) and you need to be there to deal
with it and to teach your child how to deal with it. Children
often have trouble expressing their fears and if fears are not
recognized and dealt with promptly, feelings of general unease
may develop that cause your child to lose the enjoyment of riding
and caring for her pony.
It’s also a good idea to keep your child and pony in training,
if possible. This way, your child can continue to learn, and
the relationship between rider and mount will be fostered.
Finding the right trainer to work with your child is very important
if your child is going to have a positive experience with her
pony. Certain trainers are good with children, while others are
better with adults. You want to use a trainer who instills confidence
in your child. If you have doubts, ask to sit in on a few session
with other students in order to evaluate the instructor’s
style.
Consider enrolling your child in an organized riding group for
young people, since this can be a great place for them to learn
and make new horsey friends.
The Pony Club is one good option, said David and Lynda Davies,
owners of Manoravon New Forest Ponies in Guelph, Ontario. “Pony
Club is a great place for kids to learn both proper care and
riding, along with having fun participating in all the different
activities that they have.” Four-H is another possibility,
as are any number of local riding groups for kids.
If it works out right, real love can grow between a child and
her pony. “The relationship between a pony and a child is
so completely personal that no one can really understand it,
not even a parent,” said Kirby. “When the relationship
is beautiful, the pony will often ‘take care’ of the
child. This is particularly lovely to see.”
AUDREY PAVIA is a consulting
editor for Dog Fancy and Horse Illustrated magazines, and freelances
for numerous animal-related publications.
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