Dilemma! Loan or buy?

[Ali27]

My 13 year old daughter Nat has outgrown her 12,1 pony Kissi so we have left her on loan at our old yard in Oxfordshire.
Nat now needs something else! She will be 14 in December but is very small for her age. She rides my 15hh mare but finds her a bit strong and she does look small on her.
She could really do with a 13,2 - 14hh but if I buy then it is for life and she might outgrow it within the next few years and alot of competitions by us won't let over 16 year olds ride ponies.
Oh what to do???? Loan or buy? Have looked at horses to loan on the net but there doesn't seem to be much around!

[eeek]

I would say loan for a few years until she is big enough to ride Rhia comfortably or buy herself a horse.

I'm very pleased I borrowed and begged for the transition stage between selling my 12hh pony and buying my 15.1hh, because now that I am fully grown I have a horse who fits me perfectly in terms of size and potential. I think if I had a big pony instead of a small horse I would feel rather limited and it would stop me from doing many of the things I enjoy now. Then again I am fairly tall (5'8) so would not be as comfortable on a 14/14.2hh as perhaps Nat will be if she stays on the small side. It also depends on where her interests lie.

[Bay Chaos]

From past experiences, I hate loaning horses. Every time they start going well, the owner has asked for it back, sold it etc., which would be heart breaking for nat.

How about trying to find a 14.2, that way she could still do the horse classes, but it won't be massive for her.

Good luck finding something x

[Loony]

I think you'd be better off loaning, if she's anything like most teenagers, this will be when she has her growth spurt! And they usually come on quite quickly!

[beks the artist]

Shame your not closer I have a 14.2 Welsh that need to be ridden.

I have loaned horses without much problem however I am more inclined to buy my own say around 14.2 so you can have the best of both worlds! x

[Ali27]

Thanks! I think we will wait until next Spring as she has already been offered two ponies to ride over the winter. She is taking one jumping tomorrow! However it isn't the same as her having her own! Hopefully she may have grown a bit and then we can buy a finer 14.3 - 15hh for her. Ha Ha I could borrow it too! Rhia would be better if she wasn't quite so chunky and strong! Nat is stealing her tomorrow to do a showing class so hope she behaves!

[My Crazy Clan]

Loan one and save up to buy anopther around 14' 2hh hopefully she will never grow out of he/she then.