How about a half lease of a pony? One good and bad thing about ponies is that they can be virtually immortal. You could wind up taking care of that pony until he’s old enough to carry your 5 year old grandchildren around!
2 Likes
we had one live to be 45 years old, Charlie was given to my daughter to be used as a school horse when he was too old at 22 years old for the owner’s kids…he worked until his mid 30s before he was completely retired, His last three or four years since had no teeth we fed him mash four or five times a day in his private paddock then released to pretend to eat grass with the others
8 Likes
I agree with leasing a small pony, given your daughter’s age. When she’s older, even if she only is moderately interested, you could always get a second small horse or large pony for the two of you to share. 5 is just a little too young to fully control a large pony (unless the kid is very brave and athletic).
A medium (13h or thereabouts) can be a good compromise though–maybe big enough for you to school and have fun on, if you’re petite–and if you really want to buy, they are more “leasable” to kids after your daughter outgrows the pony.
1 Like
if the horse/pony is trained and knows voice commands it makes it much safer/easier for young rider
we had one horse in a class at a Class A show who was caught by the judge listening to the ring announcer changing gaits/direction on command
1 Like
Do you board or have your horse at home? It is a lot bigger deal if you have to pay board!
I would try to find a good place that offers lessons for little kids and has a bunch of kids taking lessons. You could start with an introductory lesson to see if she is interested in that or still just wants pony rides. The goal would be to get her involved with a group of kids and be taught by NotMom. It seems that kids that start with the social barns have more fun and stick with it more often.
8 Likes
I weigh more than your husband (working on that, but…), and this Arabian mare is not quite 13.2. She has zero trouble carting me around, even doing reining patterns. Just saying! 
29 Likes
What a great pic of you two!
2 Likes
Thank you! I actually bought this little mare as a broodmare (I have two of her daughters and am still hoping for a third keeper from her), but it turns out she’s an absolutely perfect match for me as a riding horse.
I guess that’s the cautionary tale - you may just fall in love with your “daughter’s” pony and keep it for yourself! 
8 Likes
I board at a wonderful barn that sadly doesn’t have a kids’ program or even young boarders. I really can’t imagine finding a better boarding situation for my horse, and to find a pony program would have me driving in the other direction. That said, I think “other kids” is a key component to her enjoyment of riding, so I have some thinking to do.
2 Likes
this times 1000. I tried a lease and the kid was constantly in tears. Sent her to a pony barn with pony kids and shes having the time of her life. Confidence completely restored with the help of peers also messing up and learning in lessons just like her. My show horse is kept at an adult barn.
11 Likes
A more social environment makes it much more fun than work. Barn with kids program will also be more likely to have lease ponies available on various plans. There will also be Moms, some also ride and its nice to have some company.
4 Likes
She is lovely. I also used to ride a 13.2 hand chestnut mare and it worked.
3 Likes
Icelandic horses carry men that size all the time in Iceland.
5 Likes
We actually went riding in Iceland a few years back. It was my husband’s first time on a horse. It was wonderful, and though he looked like a cartoon character whose boots were going to touch the ground, he had a blast
4 Likes
Lol, as long as they’re having fun and the horse is happy looking a little bit silly isn’t a problem. My husband is 6’4” and 185 ish and his mare is a 14.3 hd ish Arab mare. They have a blast together on trails and she takes really good care of him and only occasionally talks him into trying to give me a heart attack.
On the pony side for the daughter, I’m firmly on the enabler side. I bought a pony for my daughter while I was pregnant with her. Everyone else has a horse in the household so she had to too! She’s grown up with the horse bug, though that’s easier with the horses at home and being a whole family activity. She started with a section B Welsh pony mare without a lot of training but a ton of maternal instincts as a retired broodmare. That was the perfect match and size. My daughter could handle her on the ground fairly independently from 4 on without giving me too many grey hairs. She’s also been great being ponied on trail rides. The pony has decided that being IR is all the rage this year and s on a graceful retirement. So now my daughter has two, the pony and now an Arab mare with some show experience that absolutely adores her.
One thing that has been good in notMom instructor, and get to ride the lesson ponies they have available. Might be worth looking for a pony club or a lesson program that could supplement having a pony of her own without requiring a move to a new barn, at least not yet.
Good luck!
Here is my daughter at 4.5 years old leading her pony following dad after a trail ride because we can’t have a pony thread without pictures. 
21 Likes
Forget the kid—buy YOURSELF a pony! 
4 Likes
You’re right! I do need a Fell.
6 Likes
Fell ponies are delightful. I’m kind of chonky in my middle age, and my Fell pony totes me around. Mostly I drive her, because combined driving is FUN, but she’s pleasant and comfy. Saddle fitting is a little interesting, because they are wide with short backs. Picture with 5’2" teen boy for scale.
17 Likes
Stunning!
1 Like
Queen Elizabeth II had a beloved Fell pony, Emma. If a Fell pony was good enough for Queen Elizabeth II, then it’s a lovely choice for you too. Here’s a photo of the Queen riding her beloved pony for the last time, two months before the Queen departed the earth.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/frail-queen-final-pony-ride-33610617
Emma is still living at the Royal Mews, and being cared for and exercised by the staff there.
17 Likes
