It’s exciting when you’ve finally made the decision to buy a horse or pony and can start looking. There are so many options out there that it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some points to consider as you begin looking:

·         Decide roughly what sort of pony you need before you start. A beginner rider is better suited to an older (over 12 years), quieter pony. It is helpful if the pony has already been doing most of the things you will want to do with it. It is also worth considering the support available for the rider – do they need a pony they can manage largely by themselves, or will they have adequate experienced help for a pony who may require a more advanced rider?

·         If at all possible take an experienced horse person with you, who can take an objective look at the pony and assess whether or not you have the right match of pony and rider.

·         Ask lots of questions about the pony – what is its history, what has it been doing up until now, are there any health issues or related problems the current owner is aware of? Is the pony completely sound? Does the pony ever buck, bolt, rear, kick, bite? What does the current owner like the most about their pony? What do they like the least? Would the owner be happy for you to get the pony vet checked prior to purchase if you chose to?

·         When you go to look at a pony, ask to see it being caught, brushed, have its hooves picked out and gear put on it first, so you can see how the pony responds to all these things. Ask the current owner to ride before you do – it gives the opportunity to watch how the pony moves (does it look sound or lame? Stiff or free-moving? How is it behaving in general?). It also means you can see whether or not you are about to climb on a bucking bronco! If you arrive to see a pony and it is waiting for you fully tacked up and having been working for a while this could indicate some issues…

·         Assuming everything so far is good, it could be time for the potential new owner to try riding the pony. Once on the pony do they feel safe and happy? Is the pony the right size? As a rough rule of thumb, the bottom of the rider’s feet when in the stirrups should be at the same level as the bottom of the pony’s tummy. Does the rider seem to be able to manage the pony? Does the pony seem to be listening to the rider?

·         There is always a point at which you need to make a decision as to whether or not this is the right pony… It is often helpful if you have been to look a number of other ponies, so that you have a more informed idea of what is available and the price you might be expected to pay. As tempting as it is to buy the first lovely pony that you see, remember that you are better to leave a ‘right’ pony behind than buy a ‘wrong’ pony. This is where it is so helpful to have an experienced friend with you.