Re: New generation

[Chris Paus <paus@micoks.net>]

Good reply Karen. I think many people think ponies have bad dispositions
because ponies are pretty smart. My riding instructor says that pound for
pound, pony brains are smarter than horse's brains. It's kind of the same
bias some people have against ARabians --saying they are flighty, when what
they really are is smart.  Whether my instructor is correct or not, I don't
know. But I've had ponies and horses and have found wonderful animals in both.

chris paus and equine family including one pony

At 11:27 AM 3/22/98 PST, Sullys Maze wrote:
>REPLY TO 03/22/98 05:24 FROM ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: New generation
>
>
>My daughter was the same way...I bought her a shetland/mini horse cross.
>BIG MISTAKE! Then I bought her a welsh. 2ND BIG MISTAKE. I finally got
>smart and bought her a very small (~13 hand) Crabbet (?) mare who had the
>patience of a saint and was absolutely bombproof. I won't ever buy another
>pony for a young child. An older child maybe...
>
>Just my .02 worth.
>
>Stephanie Wind McCray
>Visions of the Wind
>3307 S Sarnoff Dr
>Tucson  AZ  85730
>520-296-4625
>wind@visionsofthewind.com
>http://www.visionsofthewind.com
>----------
>
>I have been very very happy with our Welsh pony, she has taught both
>my kids how to ride and been very patient and bombproof.  I believe
>it is the individual rather than the ponies vs. horses argument.
>
>However, given the choice of a pony or horse for a younger child
>ages 6-10, I still prefer the pony and here is why.
>
>1)  Pony is closer to the ground in case they fall!
>2) Child can learn to totally groom, bridle and saddle by themselves
>3)  When they drop the waterbottle on the trail, they can get off
>    by themselves and get back on!
>4)  They are a better match as far as body-to body size.  The
>child's little legs aren't spread out as much, and they fit the
>barrel of the pony better.
>5)  A pony is likely to have better legs and feet.
>6)  I have found they are smart and surefooted, and have a great
>    self-presevervation instinct (not going to jump off a cliff
>    because their buddy left.)
>7) the pony costs less to feed, and may not need shoes!
>
>That said, my friends very small daughter learned to ride on a
>good-sized horse (a wonderful, babysitter horse).  However, now that
>daughter likes to ride the 13.3 hand pony!  In 25 some-odd years of
>dealing with horses and ponies, I do not believe that ponies are any
>nastier than horses.  The worst I have seen in disposition are my
>big Arab cross mare, and a neighbors appaloosa mare.
>
>That also said, it is REALLY important to have your eyes opened
>about your horse or ponies behavior and your child's ability to
>handle them. I do know some kids that were put on horses that were
>not dead-calm and bombproof.  It if not fair to put a child on a
>horse that is going to jig or rear. It's a good way to turn your
>kids off to horses or get them hurt!\
>
>I also agree not to look at specific breeds!  Gets too expensive and
>I don't think you have any better a chance or finding a gentle
>individual.  Here in the California, you run into Welshes, POA's,
>Quarter Ponies, and small arab crosses.  I personally believe that
>shetlands are too small, and in order to ride with the parent, the
>poor child on the shetland will get jogged to death.  With out
>Welsh, even though I am 6 ft., I can hop on her and do schooling or
>a trailride.
>
>Karen
>
>!
>
>To:  ridecamp@endurance.net
>
>
>