Pros/Cons of Switching from Pony to Horse

[Wanderosa]

My child is 12 and went through a ridiculous growth spurt over the winter. It wasn’t until she tacked up a pic from a show in Sept 2018 on her bulletin board that i realized she’s grown about 4 inches since then. So, we’ve gone from a solidly built 13.1 pony taking up her leg nicely to looking like they’ll take down rails with her feet hitting them.

She’s a slim but muscular 105 lbs and 5’. It looks like we’re not going with the same pony this year due to issues with the lease. I suggested skipping out of ponies altogether and getting a small 15-16hh horse. Her best barn friend’s mom was horrified, “But then she’s going to have to compete with adults!” I guess that’s a consideration. Though, most of the adults at this level are new to riding and progressing more slowly than the juniors due to jobs, families, worries about breaking bones, etc.

Daughter’s only objection was wanting to go to pony finals someday. I can’t see being able to afford that, even with a scholarship. She took a couple lessons at the event barn on a large (like 16.2-16.3) horse and did well, although she told me she got nervous towards the end of jumping when the horse was having fun and got excited about jumping a course because of how long his stride was. With that in mind I think we’d stick with “hony” or polo pony sized horses.

What am i forgetting to take into consideration? I’m sure there’s something. Ponies are so expensive and people are forever offering nice horses to us for peanuts. She enjoyed hunters but thinks she’ll switch over to jumpers or eventing in the next couple years. We’re planning to try some jumper shows this year and going from there.

[skrosenthal]

The good news is, she (mostly) won’t have to compete with adults, regardless. At least at most shows I’ve been to, while they sometimes run the cards together, adults and children are scored separately until you get to the highest levels (sometimes the AOs and Jrs are combined in the jumpers, for example). So, I’d take that concern off the table, at least!

[lmlacross]

If she intends to continue with the hunters, the concern with a hony-type is making sure it has the step to get down the lines without looking like it’s running. Depending on the level of competition you’re dealing with on your circuit/in your area and how competitive she hopes to be, this may or may not be a consideration.

Were it me, I think I might look for a lease on a big-barreled, max height large. If she were wanting to continue in the hunters beyond the immediate future, I might look instead for a 15.3-16.0 horse with the step to get down the lines. The idea to make a change (to jumpers or eventing) has already entered her head, though. If you want to wait on that shift, I think a lease on a large pony hunter makes sense for the short term. It leaves you free to buy the best horse for her future goals when you’re ready.

[Willesdon]

Brains. Ponies tend to be clever, able to work things out for themselves, they take care of their riders and do the job, often dispite the young rider. All reasons for their well-known “attitude”. Horses, IME, are not as clever and the rider needs to do more of the thinking for them. Yes, many are intelligent, take care of their rider, do their job dispite the rider but the brain is different. I think that is one reason why some young riders find it quite difficult to move up to horses. If possible, ride both a larger pony and a horse and see what develops.

[goodmorning]

Yes, even a slightly tricky or naughty pony will easily add vs a 3 legged hop save thatva horse will throw in. Tend to be clever nd are good and making mistakes NBD. Also they are closer to the ground. That being said I started riding around 12yo & rode some saintly school horses that were very fancy ex show horses in their later years. These types are suitable but difficult to find…

I am 5’6" and ride a large (14.1) pony regularly She is very wide barreled, just so wide. Yes my upper body is tall but my leg is fine. I would suggest finding one of those. FWIW I have long legs too, a long femur and forward/long saddle flap. No hanging legs below this ponies belly, that is for sure :lol: Maybe find a large who isn’t a dead packer and move up to a horse next year.

[blondewithchrome]

At age 13 I was on a horse doing the 3’ children’s hunters, but I was 5’8" at that time already! I outgrew my large pony that year, but I would have loved another year of the large ponies. I was just way too tall! I would recommend leasing a big bodied large for a year just to transition. The jump from 13.1 to horse is a BIG one. I went from a big large to a 15.2 TB and even that was hard. She’s young, and the horses will always be there, so if you can swing it (even for 6 mo) I would highly recommend doing a large for a transition and adjustment period.

[findeight]

Some kids at 12 are chafing to leave the pigtails of Ponyland behind, some don’t want any change in their comfort zone. Seen smaller stature riders held back in favor of being the trainers de facto catch rider on fancier Ponies then they will ever own and that can get to be an unhealthy situation. Seen a few Moms not wanting the little pig tailed pixie to ever leave the Ponies too. Especially if they win their on those catch rides and ever changing leases. Interesting dynamics that can drift away from best interests of the kid.

Sooo…what does she want to do? What are her closest barn friends doing? What does your trainer think( remembering they are running a business that can benefit from a small rider). The other barn Mom can be as horrified as she wants, it’s not her child and what’s best for your child is not her primary motivator. Mom friend also is not familiar with age based divisions at rated shows and obviously thinks any Adult will beat her in an ability based class at a schooling show so is unqualified to advise.

It is your decision to think about. Lease a Large or lease a smallish Children’s Hunter. I’d go with the Childrens Hunter and start slow at 2’6" to build her confidence then step up to 3’. But it’s not my child either. It’s not as easy a decceisiin as it seems, But she can still ride some Ponies. If she wants. If you go that way, you’ll be looking for a smallish, very safe horse and that will mean a reasonable lease price.

[Wanderosa]

A lot to think about! I’m quite fond of current 13.1 ish pony for her “you darn better ask correctly or i ain’t doing it buuut you’re kind of like a foal to me and I want to look good at this show so I’ll handle this” personality. We could technically squeeze out another year size wise without looking ridiculous. However: 1) we have the mess with the lease; 2) she’s not very competitive as a hunter 3) She was competitive as a jumper, however she’s 18 and foundered last summer. Daughter has nagging doubts about her staying sound and worries about hurting her with higher fences/bigger courses (last year was her 1st show season and we’re moving up from short Stirrup) I have my doubts that we can keep her sound. 4) Daughter’s nerve is starting to catch up with her skills and goals but she is like her momma and prefers a bigger mount as fences go up.

We tentatively have access to a cob bodied large who is an incredible jumper and an extravagent mover when everything clicks. Very well schooled but inexperienced showing. (Daughter rode him in his first ever off farm show last year. There’s a few things about the terms of use with this pony that I’d need to discuss in depth with the owner to ensure we’re all on the same page. But they’re a good fit for each other based on what I saw last year.

Both these ponies are naturally quite forward. We once watched the medium mare take a line meant for a horse to take 6 strides in 5. They’re not dangerous, though. I don’t worry about them bolting, etc. Daugther does well with them because she’s relaxed and doesn’t pull on their faces. Daughter enjoyed showing last year for the social aspect and the standpoint that she’s one of those personalities that likes to have a rubric to measure progress. Even against herself. We went to finals and she thought it was worth the experience to do once. She doesn’t think she wants to do it this year. She put a lot of pressure on herself. And while winning isn’t the end all, it’s nice to come home with something. She definitely realized that we don’t have the money to be competative in hunters outside the locals based on the riders who came to states. The idea of hunter field trials and similar, more utilitarian horse activities also appeal to her.

With that in mind (and the fact this is the kid that was expecting a time clock in SS hunters!) looks like we’re leaning towards exploring jumpers this year .Coach hasn’t done many jumper shows lately for some reason but was very successful in jumpers as a rider and is eminently qualified to coach it. She said she would go if daughter wants to.

[supershorty628]

OP, if your daughter is just moving up from short stirrup, I’d highly, HIGHLY encourage at least a couple more years in the hunters and equitation before doing jumpers. Build that proper foundation first. I worry that many people who move into the tiny jumper classes early just learn to go pedal to the metal and it’s borderline unsafe. Sometimes not borderline.

[PNWjumper]

I think you look for something suitable and absolutely wipe the “horse vs. pony” discussion off the board. If it’s a pony, great! You can continue as you have. If it’s a horse, great! It honestly doesn’t change much. My daughter has a medium and a 15.3h horse. She only got to take one to shows at a time and wound up showing the horse 99% of the time from age 5-10. Now at age 11 and with the horse out with a minor injury, she’s focusing on the pony. The ONLY downside has been that the year she did the short stirrup classes there were rarely enough kids to fill the short stirrup horse (because most of them were in the short stirrup pony) and so they did end up combining short stirrup and long stirrup. And while the mom in me took a little while to figure out what I’m about to say below, it became apparent fairly early in the season.

As for competing against adults…first off, that’s not something that usually happens (since all hunter divisions are split child/jr from am/AO). But if/when it does, your kid is at a huge advantage. Kids have no fear (or at least not the same kind as adults). I will forever remember my mom showing in the 2’6" and 3’ hunters absolutely beyond upset that she had to ride against the kids in the odd open classes. And watching my daughter go into multiple short/long stirrup classes and win where it was her (at age 6 on a large horse) versus 8-10 adults, drove it home. On the flip side, she often took 8th or 9th in the flat class because she had no concept of leads, lol.

So search for something suitable and pick the one your daughter enjoys riding the most. It really won’t matter whether she has a pony or a horse (unless, as you’ve already addressed, you were intent upon Pony Finals).

[englishivy]

I vote to stay in the ponies if you can, because let’s be honest…you eventually have to move to horses and you can’t ever go back. So enjoy it while you can! However: although I agree the ponies are more clever than horses and will help a kid out, once you get to large regulars where you have to jump 2’9"-3’ and the rider has “filled out” (ie weighs more) the weight ratio between horse and rider changes. And now you gotta put in a great ride and be solid in the tack, because one off balance move affects a large pony much more than a 16 hand horse. So learn as much as you can now while she’s still young as the move to horses may come sooner than expected depending on her physical development.

[westie55]

@PNWjumper

I think you look for something suitable and absolutely wipe the “horse vs. pony” discussion off the board. If it’s a pony, great! You can continue as you have. If it’s a horse, great! It honestly doesn’t change much.

So search for something suitable and pick the one your daughter enjoys riding the most. It really won’t matter whether she has a pony or a horse (unless, as you’ve already addressed, you were intent upon Pony Finals).

This. What will help your daughter in the long run is the mount that is most suitable and helps take her riding to the next level. As a 5’ 12-year-old, I think size wise she would be fine on a horse or a large pony. Since she is only moving out of short stirrup, I would look for a been there, done that type that has shown in the pre-children’s hunters/equitation and go from there. At this stage in her riding, your daughter will gain more confidence and skill from a mount that is already seasoned and knows its job and can help her learn the ropes in a new division/height as well. Whether horse or pony, buy or lease something that is a good match for her now… not something she will grow into one day. Good luck!

[joiedevie99]

If your daughter has only done short stirrup to date, I wouldn’t consider moving to the jumpers yet. There’s just too much to learn at this point. Look for something (horse or large pony) that can take her into the 2’ schooling hunters and maybe the 2’6" pre-children’s hunters. When she’s solid in that ring - might be a year, might be many - look for something she can show in the 3’ children’s hunters. Once she has some experience in the 3’ hunters, it makes sense to let her cross over into the jumper ring (probably on the same horse) to get her feet wet on the more complicated courses and related lines, and then start learning to carry more pace on course.

[RugBug]

@PNWjumper

I think you look for something suitable and absolutely wipe the “horse vs. pony” discussion off the board. If it’s a pony, great! You can continue as you have. If it’s a horse, great! It honestly doesn’t change much.

Absolutely. Ponies aren’t big (Ha!) in my neck of the woods. Never have been. Most kids are on small horses from the get go and what really matters is the brain in the head, not the height. So find the right animal and go from there.

What you need to be careful with is that she is right at the crossroads…she needs the pony/horse that is going to challenge her a bit, but not create fear.

@PNWjumper

As for competing against adults…first off, that’s not something that usually happens (since all hunter divisions are split child/jr from am/AO). But if/when it does, your kid is at a huge advantage. Kids have no fear (or at least not the same kind as adults). I will forever remember my mom showing in the 2’6" and 3’ hunters absolutely beyond upset that she had to ride against the kids in the odd open classes. And watching my daughter go into multiple short/long stirrup classes and win where it was her (at age 6 on a large horse) versus 8-10 adults, drove it home. On the flip side, she often took 8th or 9th in the flat class because she had no concept of leads, lol.

I’ve tried explaining this soooo many times. Adults have an advantage in being able to grasp certain concepts. They are at a disadvantage with overthinking, fear, etc. It levels the playing field. I always joke about kicking those braided cuties behinds! They just go in and do it. I spend 4 weeks before the show worrying about those 3 courses and whether or not I’m going to die over that 2’ single oxer heading home. It’s exhausting.

[Wanderosa]

@joiedevie99

If your daughter has only done short stirrup to date, I wouldn’t consider moving to the jumpers yet. There’s just too much to learn at this point. Look for something (horse or large pony) that can take her into the 2’ schooling hunters and maybe the 2’6" pre-children’s hunters. When she’s solid in that ring - might be a year, might be many - look for something she can show in the 3’ children’s hunters. Once she has some experience in the 3’ hunters, it makes sense to let her cross over into the jumper ring (probably on the same horse) to get her feet wet on the more complicated courses and related lines, and then start learning to carry more pace on course.

What I have reservations about there is that she can do plenty of schooling jumper shows at 18" with relatively uncomplex courses. Wheras, locally, low hunters and limit represent a huge leap in course complexity + height and width (a lot of oxers) and frequently less-than-stellar course design. (I.e - When 5 kids in a row from different trainers all bite the dust at the same element, you probably have a design flaw on your course.) At most of the schooling jumpers I can pay $25 a course and have her treat it as a schooling round - forget the time clock, ride with the goal of consistant pacing and rhythm and intellegent approaches.

One great thing about riding the speedy medium pony is that it’s shown her how she must always be dictating the rhythm. I’ve had her take some dressage even though it isn’t her favorite in an effort to build off that. One thing my trainer played with when she took a jumping lesson with her was how the amount of impulsion the horse actually needs to jump well is much less than we tend to think. The H/J coach has taught the same thing all along but hearing it from a second person made it all gel. And she’s finally hit a fitness level where she’s able to take charge of the ride.

Maybe I should be more worried about it. But between the amount of/emphasis on flatwork at home and the occasional dressage lesson I’m not too concerned about the quality of the ride slipping without doing hunters unless I see it happening.

[gertie06]

Your kiddo is absolutely NOT too big to ride a large pony. Until recently, I was riding a stout 14.2 model, and I’m 5’5 and 120. I fit her almost well enough to show. My advice would be to seek out a top of the line (aka 14.1 or 14.2), big bodied large. I would not do a horse for her at this stage, especially if you’re leasing. If you’re buying, then maybe that’s a different discussion…

[RainWeasley]

I don’t show hunters or jumpers so I have no good advice for that, but I’m 5’7 and I had a little 14.1/14.2 hh pony that I got for a project to start under saddle a few years ago. We THOUGHT he would grow to 15 hands but never got taller than 14.2. I ended up keeping him for a couple years, evented him BN, jumped him 3’6 and I never felt awkward on him. He was a bit bigger barreled but size-wise, we looked fine. Sold him to a kids camp I was working at because he absolutely loved the kids, not because of his size. So if you do find a good large pony, 5’ on a 14 to 14.2 pony is nowhere near as bad as 5’7 on a 14.2 pony

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

As an adult who is 5’1 and still loves riding ponies more than horses, I admit that I’m a bit biased in favor of a large pony. It sounds like your daughter will grow up to be taller than me, and from my perspective–she has her whole life to ride horses and compete in other divisions. She might as well enjoy the pony years while she can. If you can find an appropriate large pony, go for it.

BTW–it warms my heart to see so many pro-pony posts. I see so much pressure upon kids who are showing competitively to move up to horses, and I feel sad when I see kids who aren’t terribly confident as it is (not the case with your daughter OP, but just in general) getting moved from a pony they can tack up with confidence and jump and canter on their own switched to a horse that they’re just not comfortable with even though they technically fit as a rider.

[findeight]

On rereading this, need to add a thought.

OP says current rides leave strides out of the lines all the time but are not dangerous. I know these are tiny fences but nothing could be further from the truth. Not being able to control striding is an indication the kid here is not ready to go to Jumpers or start to move up in height. It’s also dangerous, long weak spots over oxers/spreads out of a line or combination will sooner or later get then stopping at best and crashing at worst. Including rotational falls. Even over very low fences.

Staying in the Hunters while working hard on the flatwork is the time tested path to get riders stronger, develop better position and able to control the strides and pace before going to Jumpers and making like a water skier around the course, if they don’t crash.

[eclipse]

Like Findeight picked up on…taking strides out is NEVER safe! …or is trainer not as good as you think and not setting proper strideed lines, and I’m not talking about say a steady 4 or slightly long 4 stride but a full on has no idea what a 4 stride is ? In either case something needs to change. If a trainer doesn’t know how to set lines, and now a rider doesn’t know how to ride a proper 4 stride (they pull and add or take out a stride), then they go to a show where there is a 4 stride set…this lack of training shows and it becomes scary! On the other hand…trainer does know how to set lines but rider lets pony take out strides, and …doesn’t seem scary at home over small fences, but suddenly on course, that take out is out of a 2 stride that’s now become a 1 stride, pony can’t clear the back rail…you see where this is going! Get this stopped now…

Hunters will teach rhythm, pace, striding etc. Jumpers are not about flying around at Mach 7…safe, tight turns, nothing that gets others gasping are what should be strived for.