What Is The Best Horse For A 12 Year Old

We’ve all been there – you have a pony-mad child, who has been going to regular lessons and Pony Club camps since almost before they can walk, and they have been nagging you for their very own pony for years. You finally find yourself in a position to fulfill their dreams – but you have no clue about what is the best horse for a 12 year old!

Right Horse Breed For A 12 Year Old

Don’t worry. We have done a lot of research, and have worked out the best type of pony – breed, size, and temperament – for your budding cowgirl or cowboy. Let’s look at a couple of them, after we have worked out some basic key needs…

• The pony must be quiet and biddable. It’s no good putting your beloved child on a pony or horse that is instantly going to fling them to the ground and put them off for life!
• It must be the right size. Yes, it’s all very well to say “They’ll grow into it” but if your child is completely overhorsed, this is a recipe for disaster.
• Don’t go for a youngster. It’s a lovely thought to have your child and their horse growing up together – but young horses are green, and that is not the best option for a young rider who is also green.
• Make sure the pony is completely bombproof. We’re not just talking about walking safely past cars – they must also be used to motorbikes, pushbikes, dogs, other children, and just about everything else life can throw at them.
• The pony must be good with the farrier and with having its teeth checked, and for the vet, because you never know what might happen.
• A pony for a child must have a good temperament. It’s no good having a horse that bites or kicks, as this can not only hurt a child but also wreck their confidence for life.
• Choose the right pony for the job. If your little one just wants to plod around the lanes, don’t get them a pony that loves cross country!
• Don’t just go for looks. Yes, I know – we all fall in love with the flashy-looking ones! But don’t overlook a scruffy little cross-breed if it fits everything else you are looking for.
• Bring your child to meet the pony. It’s all very well if it looks perfect on paper, but if the personalities clash then the partnership will never work!

If you are not “horsey” yourself, then you can find a lot of good help and advice out there for buying your child their first pony.

Presumably they are having riding lessons, and a great place to start asking is their instructor.

These people are generally highly trained and experienced, and will be able to point you in the right direction, partly based on what they know of your child’s abilities.

It’s a good idea to take someone knowledgeable with you when you go to meet the pony for the first time, as they can help you by asking all the right questions, and giving advice.

Now, let’s have a look at a few of the most popular breeds of pony for a 12 year old child:

Welsh

The Welsh pony is a fabulous pony for young riders. They are generally intelligent and biddable, but with enough spirit that your child can learn from them at the same time as having fun.

Natives are “good do-ers” which means that you won’t have to worry too much about how much food they have – these guys can get fat on this air!

Welsh ponies come in a variety of sizes, from the tiny Section A to the horse-sized Section D, so you can always move up the ranks if your little one still loves the breed as they grow.

Shetland

The Shetland, due to its diminutive stature, is what most of us grew up with. They are the perfect size for little ones just starting out!

A Shetland pony does often come with an attitude, just to warn you… They are convinced that they are much bigger than they are!

All this will do is to teach your child resilience, as they pick themselves up off the floor for the millionth time, or complain that their arms are sore despite the daisy reins.

Remember that most Shetlands are pretty small, and you won’t want to put a child that is tall for its age on one, as it can cause problems for both the horse and the rider.

Dartmoor

Another native, the Dartmoor is an excellent choice for a young person getting into the joys of horse riding.

Dartmoor ponies are hardy and loyal, and will form a strong bond with their little rider that should last a lifetime.

Like all natives, they are hardy and will do very well on very little food, making them economical to keep.

Dartmoors do often have a spark of mischief about them, which is ideal for helping a child to learn to have quick reactions!

In general, they are very sweet ponies with nice temperaments – a must when looking for a pony for a youngster.

Quarter Horse

This American import is gaining in popularity, especially for a child’s second or third pony – they are not as small as some, but are often considered ponies because of their small stature.

Quarter horses are generally calm and quiet, and will not spook nearly as much as some of the “sharper” breeds.

They are very quick and agile, making them ideal for pony club games and gymkhanas!

As you can imagine, there is lots to think about when getting your child their first pony. Hopefully now you have a better idea about what you are looking for, you can get on with making those dreams come true!

As long as you do your research beforehand, and perhaps take a horsey friend with you when meeting the pony, you should come back with the right pony for you and your child.