My daughter’s riding instructor wants her to ride a horse-gulp! I don’t want my child to ride a horse, I want them to ride a pony.
Said by lots of parents!!
Is a pony a horse?
If you aren’t sure, a pony is a small horse that is 38″ to 58″ tall. But a pony is no smaller than 38″. If they are smaller than 38″, the small equine is considered a Miniature or Mini. Refer to horse facts #4 and #5 in my post about hands and ponies. https://newtohorses.com/4-7-basic-horse-facts/.
Is riding a pony safer than a horse?
There are pros and cons. But, horses are typically easier to ride for the beginner rider. In turn, making them safer. Ponies are cute and small, and their backs and legs are short. They have a short back which means their two sets of legs are closer together, which leads to a fast, choppy hard to ride gait. Gaits are the motion of walk, trot, and canter. Being short and choppy does not help the new rider gain balance and confidence.
Horses’ backs longer; since their sets of front and back legs are further away from each other, they are in the air longer, making for a more leisurely, less stressful ride. Imagine a ping pong ball bouncing; now imagine a large yoga ball bouncing. Imagine sitting on the balls. Which one would be more controllable? Probably the yoga ball. Also, ponies can be like toddlers and have endless energy; horses can be like adults can be laid back and easygoing.
The same is true when you turn directions. When a horse turns, it is usually a larger turn, graceful and quiet. But pony turns are shorter, quick, and sharp.
There are always exceptions to these thoughts where some ponies with longer backs are very easy to ride. But, they are rare to come by.
I specialized in riders under 6
95% of my students were children, and my go-to new rider equine was a pony. These were children under the age of 6. I did use ponies we trained and with a history of being well-behaved. After all, short riders were my specialty. But that is not the typical lesson barn. Most will have horses and teach all levels of riders. I did have horses for taller riders as well. And as a rider moved up to independent riding. I moved them to a horse for a more easy riding experience.
For the new and young riders, I had leaders and walkers. Leaders and walkers are people holding onto the horse or pony and the rider. Safety was always my number one concern! It is much easier for a walker to provide a good grip of the rider’s leg or waist, to provide assurance for the rider and keep them safe.
Once the rider was balanced enough and can safely steer and stop with confidence, they moved to independent riding. No matter their size or level. The horse gaits made it easy to teach the rising trot. Where the rider goes up and down to the rhythm. The rider could learn their diagonals better on a horse. And the horse taught a rider to canter when they were ready.
Horses have a dock. Not a boat dock but a
Pony vs. Horse and the New Owner
Most parents want their beginner rider on a pony, not a horse. They believe horses are safer. Taller does not always mean safer in lesson horses. A horse can be intimidating to any size person. But, not all ponies come with easy buttons. You might not have far to fall on a pony, but they come with some pony characteristics that limit the ability to learn.
I have seen people that have never been involved with horses get ponies for their children. Ponies come with quick on and off buttons. A child needs to know how to push those buttons and which ones not to push.
I do not think any age person should have a horse or pony without proper lessons to learn to ride and horsemanship skills. A pony can be as dangerous as any horse to a small child. They are not always the best fit because they are small.
Do your research, and don’t just jump into buying a pony. Because they are small and cute does not mean they are easier to care for than a horse.
Leave any questions or comments below. I would love to get to know my family of readers.