Best Pony Breeds for Children
Choosing a pony for your child is a rewarding but challenging task. You want to find the perfect pony, one that will be a champion for your child, one that you can trust to keep your child safe, but yet one that will challenge your child and hep them learn. There are plenty of ponies for sale, from 'freebies' and adoptions through the show ponies that cost thousands. So where do you start? There are a lot of things to consider, such as the age, height, level of trining, all of which need to match your child's needs. One way you can start to narrow down your choices is to know a little about the popular pony breeds and what you might expect from each.
Shetland ponies are one of the most popular breeds for children. They are small , usually only 10 or 11 hands, and they are hardy ponies and so easy and inexpensive to keep. However they do have something of a reputation for being willful, and it is usuall deserved. These little ponies are the Jack Russell Terriers of the horse world; they have no idea they are small, and can hold their own against much larger horses in a dispute. They can be stubborn, they are certainly willful, and although they are intelligent and trainable, expect a Shetland to teach your child a thing or two about persuasion and persistence. If your opt for a Shetland, look for one that is well trained and has a good history as a children's pony.
Welsh Ponies are popular. They come in different size bands (called 'Sections") so you can find them anywhere from around 12 - 15 hands. They also come in many different types - usually Welsh Ponies are fairly stocky, but some strains have been bread to be much lighter and of finer quality. Stockier types are good all around ponies, and generally a good choice for beginners; the lighter types have some thorough bred or Arabian influence, can be more spirited, but make an excellent choice for more experienced children or those who want to try sports like eventing. Welsh ponies are mainly used for English riding, but many have found a niche in western disciplines too.
There are other British breeds that are finding increasing recognition around the world. The % of "wild" ponies; decendents of wild Dartmoor, Exmoor and New Forest ponies are not wild at all - although wild examples still run free in these areas of England. The ones you usually find sold as riding ponies will have been domestically bred for many generations, and are much finer in appearance then their wild relatives. Exmoor and New Forest ponies usually reach 13 - 14 hands, are predominantly a steal grey, and have excellent temperaments for children. Like Shetlands, they are sturdy, adapt to most purposes, and are easy to keep. Dartmoor ponies come in a wider range of colors - although traditionally breeders favor grey - are smaller, 11 or 12 hands, and you find they have a more willful and independent temperament. Iterestingly, Dartmoor ponies that are grey, chestnu, or even colored usually have some recent Shetland influence.
Other countries are developing excellent pony breeds too. I nt eh USA, the 'Pony of the Americas', or POA is one of the best choices for children. These ponies have appaloosa coloring, are usually 12 -13.2 hands, and are highly intelligent, very loyal, and easy to train with quiet temperaments. They are athletic, with exceptional endurance, and can adapt to almost any discipline, English or Western.
Chincoteague ponies, wild ponies from an island of the coast of Virginia, are also popular. The ponies are rounded up annually, and several are selected for sale at auction, so most Chincoteagues have been wild at one time, or their parents were. Even so, these ponies have very gentle natures, and easily adapt to domesticated life as a child's pony. They are solid or paint, and 11 -13 hands high, and again are hardy and easy to keep. If you choose one from a round up, an additional investment in professional training is a good idea to get the pony started, even for an exceperienced child, but once 'settled' these ponies are very trustworthy.
The Connemara is an Irish Breed, but also becoming ver popular around the world. Usually 13 -14 hands, these intelligent and athletic ponies excell in jumping (a Connemara cross once competing in the Olympics in show jumping) and eventing. Fell and dales pony are less common English Breeds, but are developing a following because of their strength and stamina. Highland ponies, from Scotland, are often actually horses, and although very intelligent, like Shetlands they hae a reputation for being somewhat independent and willful.
In other parts of the world there are less common breeds that you may be able to find only in that area. Nooitgedachters, from South Africa, for example, and the popular 'Australina Pony' in Australia and New Zealand. These breeds however have yet gained much exposure outside their own countries.
Many pony breeds represent crosses with horse breeds. Ponies around 14 hands often have some thoroughbred influence, and anything with "Anglo" prefix is part thoroughbred. As your child gets bigger and more experienced, Anglo-welsh ponies are a great choice, and make popular options for children who want to ever event or jump. AS your child grows, you may also find some small representatives of horse breeds that are technicallyy ponies because of their size. Arabians, Icelandic Horses, Morgans, Fjords, and even Quarter Horses can be found under 14.2 hands. Many of these breeds make ideal choices for children, especially if they are about ready to make the transition to riding horses, and shouldn't be ruled out just because they aren't a pony breed!
Whatever you choose, remember every pony is an individual. A pony that was perfect for another child may not be perfect for yours. You can narrow down your choices by choosing a breed you feel may be best suited to your child's needs, but ultimately there aare excellent ponies from any breed, and unsuitable ones from every breed too. Choosing the right pony means taking your time, getting advice if you need it, and taking part in the bonding process between your child and a new pony. Make the right choice, and your child will have a great friend and great teacher.
