[indiekisses985]

I think that you're putting your daughter in danger with a 3 year old. I would reccomend starting her with a laid back lesson pony that's not still green. (Over 4 years old) I would say about 10 and over. My first pony I ever rode was a push-button-pony.. i learned from her and advanced to 16 hh horses.

[MacObsession10]

3 year old horses are very young and a very green that is when they ussually start training! i help to train young horses like that. they are very stubborn if you dont have a strong rider on them or else they will think they can get away with everything! you should start off with a 12 year old pony atleast

[cassidy]

i am gonna be honest here your daughter is 8 years old an really should have an older schooled horse that she can rely on

i would never in a million years buy an 8 year old child a young green horse it was a bad decision from the start

i would reccomend that you sell the current 3 year old an buy your daughter something older that has expierance!

[foxx]

honsetly i am surprised that your trainer allowed this situation to happen... i feel that your trainer should have taken the time to explain to you and your daughter WHY this was a bad idea...

[CowGirlUp1833]

SadDad...I don't believe I have anything to add to the posts below, except that what they are saying is true. Even a quiet horse that age is still going to be inexperienced...they are still very much testing everyone. I would suggest looking to trade for another horse. And I agree that you may consider looking for another trainer, or at least getting a second (professional) opionion before selecting another horse. I've VERY sorry that your daughter had to get hurt beforet this came up. Please do not allow her to ride this horse anymore....but I DO ENCOURAGE you to have her continue riding. Riding can be an excellent activity, especially for young girls.


Where are you located? I can help you locate a certified and reputable trainer in your area. My email is CowGirlUp1833@yahoo.com

[lovemyshy]

I would like to add Sad Dad (honestly I'm really not trying to rhyme) that I wouldn't let her hand walk the horse unless she is very close to her trainer, a person can be just as hurt by a spooky inexperienced horse while on ground as they can on the horse. You sound like an incredibly loving and caring dad, I'm sure that you will do what is right for your daughter.

[lynnloves739]

I can't add anything else to what has been said either. Except don't feel bad, you didn't know and you were under the impression that the horse was well mannered. I think we have all had that type of "misconception", ya know "wow that 1st ride was great on this new horse" soon to be followed by "ow wow that horse FREAKED THE HECK OUT for no reason." It happens.

You could see if you could bring the horse back and buy a much more experienced horse, I always have liked Quarter Horses over the age of 10 for a novice rider, they seem to "get it", most of them at least as long as their background isn't "wacky."

Or and I am not sure if this is a good idea or not, if for some reason you cannot take the horse back. You could send it for training and your daughter could still take lessons on a more experienced horse. I have not done this and the others on this site would be better to let you know if that would work or not. Just a thought. 3 is very young, so be careful, they can, and I have ridden a neraly "bomb" proof 4 year old, but I think they are hard to come by.

Tell your little girl that I am very impressesed that she continues to get back on, and "WAY TO GO!!!"

Good luck Dad. Let us know what happens.

[philly78]

my rule of thumb when buying a kids horse is that the kids age and the horses age should ad up to 20 or more, so you daughter is 8, look for a horse 12+ and go from there,start looking for good solid sound broke horses over the age of 12 that way you're not fighting with the green horse problem, green horses and green rider are a very bad combo!

[Lou3]

Anything over the age of six should be fine as long as your daughter is happy riding it. Really you should take her with you to see the horse.
Also i would like to suggest that you buy her something under 13.2hh. She will be much more comfortable on a pony because her legs will actually reach past the saddle flaps and she will learn to use her aids more effectively as a result. A good rule of thumb is that if she cant get on unaided, (ie stirrups normal length, no-one holding the pony or boosting her up) the horse is too big.
Lou

[Dawn]

How far her legs come down the saddle depends on the saddle, not the horse. No matter what horse you put a specific saddle on, the flaps will still be the same length, your legs will still hit at (roughly) the same spot. As long as she is comfortable on and handling the horse, it will be fine. She should be able to care for it without assistance (so to some degree size should be considered), but at 8 years old, most kids are pretty good sized and can handle an average sized horse.