Buyer question
Is a Pony horse good for beginners?
Yes: our Animal Library rates the Pony horse 4 out of 5 for beginners (match pony to rider).
Source: the Pony horse page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Pony horse in the Animal Library
The detail
A broad group of small breeds under 14.2 hands, including Welsh, Shetland, Connemara and Pony of the Americas. Ponies are hardy, clever and long-lived, and many are just as capable of carrying adults as children.
- Temperament
- Clever, independent, tough
- Best fit
- Children, small adults
- Trainability
- 3 out of 5 (Clever, can be cheeky)
- Upkeep
- 2 out of 5 (Hardy; watch the grass)
- Energy
- 3 out of 5 (Varies by breed)
What to weigh
Ponies are very prone to obesity, insulin resistance and laminitis on rich grass. A clever pony can learn bad habits fast if its young rider has no experienced help.