Advice on buying a pony?

July 28, 2005 | self / vanity

[The Other Harry]

I am very close to buying a pony – imminent, as in possibly within the next few days – and this message is very much off topic.

The price of the pony is about $750, and she appears to be very nice. Stabling would be around $75. She is not a shetland, but more like a small horse. (Not sure of terms here.) Her temperament seems very good. Gentle, which is what I want.

If any of you can give me any advice on what to look for or look out for, I’ll take it. I have no experience with anything equine.

It might be best to do this by FReepmail, as I don’t think many others would be interested.

[cyborg]

You're sick. Seek help.

[unbalanced but fair]

I have a CD I'd like to send you. It's G rated. I just need an address which you can trust me with.

Sorry Harry, but you have got to be kidding. You could be this kind of guy. Or this one.

[The Other Harry]

I said an address you feel you trust me with.

I'm a bit weird, but I don't hurt other people.

[unbalanced but fair]

The point is that I wouldn't trust you with a toothpick. You really do need help. Go find some.

[Republic]

Harry, I love ya, but, for the sake of ponies everywhere, forget about buying one and start a vegetable garden instead. (And stop sitting nude on your porch, you little neighbor might drop by and be possibly ruined for life, no offense! lol)

[HairOfTheDog]

I'm seeing potential new FReeper lexicon for creepy ideas... "Next thing you know you'll be thinkin' about getting a pony"

[The Other Harry]

... for the sake of ponies everywhere, forget about buying one and start a vegetable garden instead.

I like animals. I do not like gardening.

Which step is that?

[Republic]

I like it! Let's add it to the list. LOL!

[.38sw]

I'll have to think about that one. This whole thing has me seriously creeped out.

[SunnyUsa]

> Why? I want to give the local kids rides. And I need something to do. I like animals.

I wonder if the parents of the local kids would think about your plan.

This sounds creepy to me.

[Beaker]

I'm seeing potential new FReeper lexicon for creepy ideas... "Next thing you know you'll be thinkin' about getting a pony"
Ha! That's excellent! :-)

[Woman on Caroline Street]

"I have a CD I'd like to send you. It's G rated. I just need an address which you can trust me with."

Call me psychic, but I can already see that on the pdf format of the arrest warrant.

[The Other Harry]

Call me psychic, but I can already see that on the pdf format of the arrest warrant.

You're married, right?

And you don't want to go to Costa Rica?

[N. Beaujon]

Harry,

It sounds like you are buying a miniature horse (not a pony.) Is this for you? Or for a child? Do you plan to ride this horse? If so, I cant imagine any adult would be able to ride a minnie. The ratio is about 20% body weight of horse to rider (pony=500 lbs. rider= no more than 100 lbs.) In short, unless you're a 100 lb. man you are too heavy for a pony.

Next, you need to really know how to ride and care for horses before you own one. They take a lot of experience, care and money. I own two, have taught and trained all my life, they are the most wonderful animals on earth but they are not an impulse buy. For the sake of yourself and your horse, learn first. About feed, forage, shelter, vet bills, hay suppliers, tack (saddles, bridles), and about all lessons!

Horses are the most wonderful animals on earth, they need special care and training or you could get both of you killed. (Even the nicest pony isn't safe with an owner who doesn't know what they're doing.)

You might want to join the Free Republic Saddle club on here. Great bunch of people, feel free to ask anything. You'll learn a lot.

Good luck & look before you leap.

Best regards,

Anne

[tuffydoodle]

Looks like Harry got an invite to join the saddle club.

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh dear.... N. Beaujon, pssssst! Harry's a nut ;~D

[The Other Harry]

Thank you.

The man told me that the pony should be able to carry somewhere between 100 and 150 pounds. Call that 100. That does not include me -- I'm about 170.

Where the weight comes to play is that I don't feel I can ask the neighborhood children how much they weigh. The little girl next door is a bit chubby, and I would not want to ask her that. As with some others.

What I think I could do is get a cart. There is a senior center up the road from me, so that could work.

The trailer is what has me perplexed at the moment.

[The Other Harry]

Oh dear.... N. Beaujon, pssssst! Harry's a nut ;~D

He's having fun though. ;)

[N. Beaujon]

Oh dear.... N. Beaujon, pssssst! Harry's a nut ;~D

Hair, oh great. Thanks for the heads up. So does this mean this is a fantasy or do we have another menace to the horse community thinking they're taking on a large puppy instead of a complex, expensive and highly care-intensive creature that has NO USE for a know-nothing owner. A horse is not a beginners "pet." The thought of him luring little neighborhood girls on his pony rides makes me want to puke. If you tell me Harry's a benign nut I'll feel better. From the tone of his posts, I'm not so sure.

Capishe? ;-)

--N.B.

[HairOfTheDog]

No one is sure, N. Beaujon. No one is :~\