Your First Pony: Essential Tips for New Owners to Start Right

Starting out can be a very daunting experience.

You must be realistic about your ability and experience with horses, as they require a great deal of responsibility and daily love and attention; but owning a horse is very rewarding. Horses are great teachers if you are willing to listen and learn.

Ideally, we recommend you spend time at a riding school or with a horsey friend, learning to ride and how to care for a pony, however, this isn’t always possible and sometimes you do have to jump in the deep end. Here are some tips to get you started.

Finding A Suitable Pony

It is always a good idea to ask around to see if there is a reliable pony that is ready to move on and team up with a first owner. These older, well-educated ponies are invaluable (and often hard to find as they are very much sought after).

Many times over the years I have heard parents say “we will get a young one and they can learn together”. More often than not this decision will only lead to disappointment; not just for the rider but also the pony.

When you make that first phone call to arrange a time to meet and view your potential first pony, ask if they would be suitable for beginners. You may think that after 10 or so lessons you know everything. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but after 50 years of being involved with horses I am still learning.

There are many things that you must take into consideration when that exciting time comes.

Take someone with you who is knowledgeable and NEVER get on the pony first.

Here are a few tips...

• If the person who is selling the pony does not ride the pony first, for whatever reason, or does not have a rider lined up to show you the temperament and paces of the pony, do not take the risk.

• Ask what experience the horse has had out and about i.e. pony club, trail riding? Does the pony get excited if it goes to a new place and needs time to settle? Every horse is an individual, some adapt readily and easily, whilst others just need a little more time.

• Ask if the pony has any vices i.e. crib biting, wind sucking, weaving, fence or box walking?

• Does the pony have any ongoing management issues i.e. founder, Cushings. You don’t necessarily reject a horse with vices or ongoing management issues but it’s important to be aware of them and then decide what you can live with. Also, some agistment places will not take a wind sucker.

• How well does the pony travel? Ask the questions: does it travel in a single bay or does it need to be double bay; does it prefer a particular side of the float; does it need a friend to travel with; has it ever tried to climb the walls; does it tie to the side of the float or will it pull back to try to escape? The list can go on and on.

If you decide the pony is just what you are after, it is advisable to get a vet check on your pony pre-purchase, this may disclose any potential health issues.

• All going well, if he passes the vet check, the next question is how will you get the pony home? Transporting a pony is not the same as putting a trailer on and driving to the local tip. The transportation of horses is very delicate and your parents or the designated driver needs to understand the principles of the transportation of livestock. Some sellers are quite happy to deliver, as it gives them the opportunity to check out the new home for the pony.

• Check what the owner has been feeding your pony and have the food stocked up before it arrives.

Accommodating Your New Pony

Do you have a paddock for your pony? Your pony’s paddock should be at least an acre in size, with good safe fencing. You must regularly walk around the perimeter to check the fencing, especially if you have trees around it, to check for fallen limbs, and do not forget the routine picking up of poo.

Or alternatively, if you are going to be agisting your pony is it suitable? Is it safe to house a pony; is there access to fresh clean water; is there shelter and adequate shade; is there a safe environment to ride your pony in? Who is to be responsible for caring for your pony, each and every day, if you cannot get to him on a daily basis? This may involve feeding, rugging, checking the water, picking up the manure and running their eye over him to make sure that there are no cuts or swellings which your pony may have sustained overnight.

Water: Ensure your pony has access to good clean water at all times. The trough will need to be cleaned out regularly.

What You Will Need

For Yourself:

Helmet: First and foremost you will need to purchase a new helmet. This is one thing you must never buy second hand, even if it looks fine, you don’t know what falls it may have had. Currently changes to the standards of helmets are being finalized (follow the ‘Save your Brain’ story in this issue of Horse Deals for the most up to date information on this topic).

Riding Boots: For your own safety you must ride in riding boots, this will ensure in the case of a fall that your foot slides out of the stirrup.

Jodhpurs: Are designed to help you grip to the saddle and will possibly make riding more comfortable, however the choice is yours.

For Your Pony:

Halter and lead rope: will be the first pieces of tack needed, after all you have to catch and tie up your new pony.

A grooming kit: Your local saddler will be able to advise on what you may need. Grooming is a great way to spend time getting to know your pony and start building that special relationship.

Saddle: You will have no doubt heard your grandparents or the older generation say that, back in the day we didn’t have saddles we rode bareback. Now there is nothing wrong with learning to ride bareback, it certainly helps to improve your balance, and ultimately makes you a better rider, but you will need a saddle at some stage. However you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a saddle immediately; search around for a tidy second-hand one, it doesn’t have to be flash to start out, as long as it is in good order and SAFE. If you can find one in your local area you might be able to try before you buy.

Correct saddle fit is important and can have a huge bearing on the way your pony behaves, so it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a knowledgeable friend or your local saddler to check the fit of the saddle first.

Bit: Check the type of bit that the previous owner used, but an eggbutt snaffle is always a good starting point. If the previous owner was using long shanked bits with chains BEWARE (but it may not be the pony’s fault).

Bridle: a well-fitting snaffle bridle with either a cavesson or drop nose band would be quite suitable. If it is a leather bridle make sure it is well oiled and supple.

The First Day

When your pony does arrive home it’s important he arrives early in the day to give him plenty of time to adjust to his new paddock and see where the fences and water are. Don’t turn him out into a strange paddock in the dark, incase he runs
around and sustains an injury.

Allow a day or so to settle into his new surroundings. No doubt you are itching to jump on and have a ride the first day, but just monitor how well he is settling in, you might be best to spend the day grooming and getting to know him.

Article: Catherine Shelley - NCAS EA SSTA/ CE Level 2 General Coach, NCAS Level 1 RDA Coach, Dip. of TB racing - Melton Equestrian accredited with EA Ready, Set, Trot program.

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Caring for Your Pony: A Beginner's Guide
How to Catch, Lead & Tie-up: A Beginner's Guide
Beginner's Guide to Pony Grooming: Nurturing the Bond with Your Equine Companion
How to Steer, Brake, and Accelerate: A Beginner's Guide