| The best advise I can give any parent thinking about | | | | and Appaloosas are known for their mellow demeanor |
| buying a horse or pony for their child is "Do your | | | | and quiet temperament. They can be used for most |
| research!" It's crucial to find the right match for your | | | | disciplines in the equestrian world and the child will not |
| family. Not every horse or pony will meet your child's | | | | out grow a horse like they would with a pony. When |
| needs, financial budget and the family's time schedule. | | | | looking for a pony be aware of any nasty habits. |
| When looking for a horse or pony parents need to | | | | Because of the small size of a pony, they don't |
| consider whether to buy, lease, or half lease. When | | | | always have proper training under saddle. Even though |
| buying a horse or pony, parents (not children) are | | | | ponies may be wonderful in hand, they often could |
| taking full responsibility. The first issue is shelter. Where | | | | have vices when ridden. |
| is the horse or pony going to live? Is there adequate | | | | The last major thing for parents to consider when |
| space on the property, is there time to feed twice a | | | | buying a horse or pony for their child is - time and |
| day, muck out stalls, turnout and bring the horse or | | | | money. Can the family commit as many hours that is |
| pony in at night? If you decide to lease or half lease a | | | | needed to take care of a horse or pony. Along with |
| horse, the parents don't own the horse and therefore | | | | riding, there has to be time for feeding, tack cleaning, |
| are bound by the terms and conditions of the contract | | | | turn out, mucking stalls and the list goes on! Horses and |
| between parents and the owner. These conditions can | | | | ponies are expensive! Be prepared to set aside about |
| vary greatly depending on how much involvement is | | | | $1200 a month for a year. If you can afford this and |
| required by either party. | | | | prepared to commit to the many factors involved in |
| No matter if the parents decide to buy or lease they | | | | owning a horse, your family is ready for a horse or |
| need to look for a horse or pony that is safe and | | | | pony. |
| respectful of the child. Cool-horses like Quarter Horses | | | | |