It is with no rush and only because my daughter is outgrowing him that we are considering finding our much-loved pony his perfect new home.
He is a 21-year-old, 12.2hh British Riding Pony gelding who has been an absolute dream for us. He has done a little Pony Club, but the majority of his time has been spent hacking, which is where he is happiest. He hacks alone or in company, happily leads alongside my horse, and has cantered sensibly in large groups. That said, he has also taught my daughter a few lessons along the way! His favourite trick is putting his head down when there's particularly nice grass, which was easily solved with grass reins. He has just enough character to teach a child the odd riding lesson while always remaining kind, safe and genuine.
He truly is the sort of pony every parent hopes to find. He is a perfect lead rein pony who is also ideal for a child to progress onto as their first ridden. He is incredibly patient, kind and forgiving, and nothing seems to faze him.
He is definitely more woah than go and is much happier plodding along than rushing about. I can happily sit back at Pony Club and watch without a single worry because, if anything, most of the time he would rather not move! He gives children confidence rather than excitement and looks after his little riders every step of the way.
Babies have poked fingers up his nose, children have climbed all over him, stood on his back and jumped off, and he simply takes it all in his stride. My daughter does all of his day-to-day handling herself, and even my novice son, who isn't horsey at all, can catch, groom and lead him because he is so gentle and easy to manage.
He lives out on a large hill with a herd of geldings and settles brilliantly in a herd environment. He is an easy keeper with a laid-back nature and is happy to turn out with mares or geldings. He currently wears front shoes purely because our hacking routes and fields are very stony, but he was happily barefoot before.
He has always been treated exactly the same as my sports horse and has never been "just the child's pony." He has received the very best of care throughout his life, including routine physio and chiropractic treatments as part of his regular maintenance. He has also had dental work to ensure his teeth are now in excellent condition, and I am happy to discuss this with genuine buyers and provide the veterinary report for complete transparency.
We feel he deserves a home where he can enjoy life at a slightly slower pace. He has given my daughter so much confidence, but she is now ready for more than he enjoys doing. We would love to see him teaching another little rider the ropes, with plenty of grass, fuss and family life. He isn't the pony for a child wanting to bomb around fields or jump big tracks every weekend. Instead, he deserves a family looking for a safe, sensible and confidence-giving pony who will happily carry a little one on the lead rein before becoming their trusted first ridden partner.
He comes with his full wardrobe of tack and rugs, so he is ready to go and start his next adventure with his new little rider.
This is a heartbreaking decision, so finding the right home is far more important than a quick sale. Homes will be chosen very carefully for this very special little pony. £4500 ono