Ponies for sale

Ponies for sale: native breeds and riding ponies

Whether you need a first pony for a small child, a Pony Club all-rounder or a competition pony for a teenager, the ponies for sale on Paardplaats are sorted by the job they do:

• Family riding: Leisure Pony and All-rounder Pony.
• Competition: Show Jumping Pony, Dressage Pony and Eventing Pony.
• Other work: Hunting Pony, Driving Pony, Endurance Pony and Broodmare Pony, plus the general Pony category.

Britain and Ireland have nine traditional mountain and moorland breeds: the Welsh pony and cob (Sections A to D), Connemara, New Forest, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland, Highland, Fell and Dales. Riding ponies such as the German Riding Pony, and part-breds, are bred mainly for showing and sport.

Pony heights: the 12.2hh, 13.2hh and 14.2hh classes

Ponies are measured at the withers, and UK adverts quote height in hands of four inches (10.16cm). Under FEI rules a pony measures no more than 148cm without shoes, or 149cm shod, so 14.2hh (148cm) marks the usual upper limit. Competitions in Britain then split ponies into three bands:

• 12.2hh (128cm) and under, for younger and smaller riders
• 13.2hh (138cm) and under, the middle band
• 14.2hh (148cm) and under, for older children and teenagers

British Showjumping registers ponies in 128cm, 138cm and 148cm categories, and many showing classes use the same limits. If you are buying for affiliated competition and a pony measures close to a limit, ask whether it holds a valid height certificate: a pony that measures over its band can no longer compete in it.

Choosing a first pony for your child

Temperament matters more than looks, breeding or rosettes. A first pony should be easy to catch, lead, groom, load and shoe, and calm in traffic and in company.

• Experience: a schoolmaster pony with years of hacking, rallies and small shows behind it teaches a novice child far more than a young pony that is still learning itself.
• Rider size and growth: your child should look in proportion on the pony and still fit it for a couple of seasons. A pony bought too big to grow into can knock a child's confidence.
• The right stage: lead rein ponies are led by an adult while a small child rides, first ridden ponies are quiet enough for the child to ride alone, and Pony Club ponies cope with jumping, rallies and camp.
• Your instructor: involve them from the first advert to the final trial, because an independent eye spots what a hopeful parent can miss.

Branch members of the Pony Club ride their own, loaned or shared pony at rallies, tests and camp, so a pony that already enjoys Pony Club activities is a good sign.

How much does a pony cost?

Ability, age, height and record drive the price more than breeding alone, and safe, experienced ponies are in high demand. As a guide to the UK market, not to Paardplaats prices:

• young or unbacked ponies can often be found for under £3,000
• a proven first pony of 12.2hh (128cm) and under typically starts around £3,000 and often reaches £5,000 or more
• experienced Pony Club and competition ponies often cost £8,000 to £20,000 or more

An older schoolmaster can cost less than a younger pony with the same manners and may be the better buy for a novice child. Budget for a vetting too, which typically starts at around £250.

Buying a pony safely

The checks are the same as for a horse, with one addition: the child who will ride the pony must try it first.

• Watch the pony being caught, handled and ridden by its current rider.
• Let your child ride it on at least two visits, with their instructor there.
• Check the passport in person and match the markings and microchip to the pony.
• Book your own vet; a five-stage vetting needs a suitable rider for the exercise phase.
• Agree any trial, deposit and sale terms in a written contract before you pay.
• Never pay for a pony you have not seen or had vetted, and walk away from sellers who ask you to pay a transporter up front.

Selling an outgrown pony on Paardplaats

A good pony that your child has outgrown can teach the next rider. Give its height in hands and its age, describe what it has done and how old its riders were, and be honest about any quirks. Add photos and a short video of a child riding it, have the passport ready, and mention a height certificate if it has one. Only describe a pony as suitable for a small child if it truly is.