[mylilpony]

Originally Posted by trotplease

It is not a bad idea to look at older horses either. I have one student (15 years old) who actively competes in low-level Dressage and is on her 4-H drill team with her 31 year old mare. While it is unusual for a horse to be physically up to this kind of work at an advanced age, it should encourage you to look at those older horses with the training and experience to teach your daughter.

Sometimes the best horses for a beginner are those who can not withstand the vigors of the level of competition that they once were at, but are in great shape to do the lower stress job of teaching a beginner or intermediate rider. In this case, it is not unlikely to find a 15-20+ year old horse with lots to give your daughter, who because he has passed his physical prime will be priced less than his 12 year od equivalent.

By asking the questions that you have, it shows that you are actively participating in your daughter's life and are concerned about her well-being. I feel you should be applauded and consider it a compliment that so many of us on this board are concerned enough for the two of you to offer support. Best wishes!

I agrea with this totally,and although i am sure u would find it very hard to do so,as your daughter has probably alreayd gotten attched to this horse.I advise u to get an older horse,who can teach your daughter along the way,and be well enough mannerd to allow her to learn on a good steady mount!
The best of wishes to u,and your daughter!!!

[sugy_rae]

i think the horse and rider are both too young, sometimes you just need to use a little muscle no matter what. the horse can find out what they can do without being stopped and then just push a little harder and a little harder.

[Evening Heiress]

I know this is an old thread but seeing as SAD DAD posted an update I feel I should add my 2 Cents...I learned to ride on a 16hh Quarterhorse stallion at 5 yrs old. However; he was exceptional and truly gentle.

Anyhow; with my then 5yo daughter; we were given riding privilages on a 11hh welsh pony mare. First ride on her; she reared and scared the heck out my kid; who had been riding my 15.3hh 25yo Tb in the roundpen but sadly the mare passed away too soon. Ever since; my daughter is TERRIFIED of ponies; refused to even ride my very old welsh mare. So I got an ex-showmare who was 18 and 14.3hh(an arab no less) and she has been a true blessing; back to rides in the roundpen and has yet to have a spill. Michayla has ridden her mare going on 3 yrs and will be 8 this June and the mare is now 20 and still has the jam when I hit the trails on her.Sure; she needs help to get on; but is less intimadated the bigger the horse is.

It really depends on the horse itself; I have found better sucess with the older schoolmasters with my daughter even though I was the total opposite as a kid. I rode anything I could; no helmet no saddle 99% of the time(back in early 80's and we wre wester folk).

As it is; I doubt I would ever let my daughter ride my 4 yo WBxTB who is 16hh as Vogue(horse) is just too young and more likey to have problems arise.

[hanky rox]

yep a 3 year old i would say is way to young 4 an eight year old. and yes i would definatly recommend her spending time on the ground with it to gain the trust. then getting on and riding it for about 15mins. maybe doing this will help a bit but this will never change the horses age. hes a young horse and thats that!

[Laddie roxs]

yep three is two young. is this her first horse? definately "bonding" time on the ground will help.

[littlecelticpony]

WOW! you guys are all VERY STONGLY OPINIONATED!!
So sorry SadDad.. I bet you didnt expect to start such a heated Debate...but believe it or not alot of things like this and worse happen in the"horse world" and most people arent as open minded as you have been to all of our suggestions.

OOooohboy, if you think this thread is heated, you should read some older discussions. Haha.

I sorta read this post, sorta skimmed it.
I think it's important to take into account the fact that this girl has been taking lessons for TWO years. She is not a rank green beginner, or so I am assuming.
Yes, for the very new, very very very very inexperienced [read: doesn't know front end from the back] riders, I would not put so much emphasis on size as I would tempermant, because basically, newbies are just learning how to STAY on the darn horse.

Riders that have moved off the longe-line, and are working on giving cues NEED A HORSE THAT FITS THEM. If they are small, a small-barreled horse is going to be appropriate. Note that this is not ALWAYS a height issue. It's funny, I just scanned an article about finding the right size mount, I'll go post it somewhere in this forum.

Anyway, to me, while temperment is top priority, I would never put a small child on a tall, deep-barreled horse. It makes a very frustrating ride, trying to wrap your legs around the animal, and then the fact that a small person's arms may not suit the horse's length of neck, if it's a large horse.

Anyway, good luck to you and your daughter, SadDad.

EDIT: Or click here for the thread.

[MissBandit]

This thread is over one year old. The originator is well past this decision now.