Have a vet check for founder and age. Most ponys often will founder. That is a problem of rich grass affecting blood flow to feet and making them lame. Alos ponies can age up to 70 years old so have the age checked. Also is the pony gentle and broken to ride.
Ponies are known to have bad manners and bit and kick. They are pretty smart.
A pony can live to age 70? That is absolutely not true. That said, you are correct on the founder issue, nearly all ponies will founder at some point.
That was certainly my experience. When I was younger I we decided to get into 4-H and we started small - with a pony. He was awfully cute but very cranky. He'd nip with regularity and he'd let you ride for awhile, then do a quick little hop-shuffle and put the rider on their butt on the ground. We quickly moved out of cranky ponies and found a large Morgan/quarter horse - huge but gentle.
That was certainly my experience. When I was younger I we decided to get into 4-H and we started small - with a pony. He was awfully cute but very cranky. He'd nip with regularity and he'd let you ride for awhile, then do a quick little hop-shuffle and put the rider on their butt on the ground. We quickly moved out of cranky ponies and found a large Morgan/quarter horse - huge but gentle.