Where does one find...

[GettingBack]

non-world-beating regular ol' kids ponies? I've seen a lot of greenies advertised online, and a lot of very very fancy ones, but I haven't seen a lot of the garden variety 4H/local showing ponies?

Do they not exist anymore?

I've checked equine.com, dreamhorse, horsetopia and agdirect, and maybe it's just my area but everything either seems to be too expensive (and fancy) or too green.

[theroanypony]

I know it's not regularly suggested, but try going to your local auction. Not all horses at auctions are crazy, but we have a really nice auction around where we are. My pony was $700 from an auction, and he's a very workmanlike pony (http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2494/39/86/765875322/n765875322_5757851_6234.jpg). :D

[Guin]

Where do you live?

[indygirl2560]

I just sold mine! She was my B/C circuit pony but the best bareback/trail/kid's horse ever!

[neigh.neigh]

maybe try www.bigeq.com???

[Lori]

Where are you located?

[Wizard of Oz's]

If you're looking for just a beginner kids horse I'd check with local barns in your area for school horses. Our barn just sold two of our reliable school ponies to families who just wanted a pony to learn on. A lot of times barns will buy auction ponies and train them to be kids ponies, so they're not worth a whole lot, but are safe for youngsters.

[GettingBack]

I'm in PA.

Oddly enough we don't have many local school barns, and those that have had ponies for sale have all been snapped up by this local outfit that is doing *just* lessons.

I may have to try the local auction. We have one here every month - but then I'd have to worry about quarantine etc. *sigh*

[2DaPoint]

Totally agreeing with the Wizard.....
AND I'm pretty sure that the reason you can't find any "normal" ponies for sale is because they never get allowed out of a barn once they're in there! When you find one of these gems, you hold on to them! They either stay in the barn as a school horse, or pass from one beginner rider to the next in a string of delighted owners through the years.
Past that, you need to be looking for these critters at the end of the show season, or at the very beginning, when riders have sprouted up in height, or placed out of divisions, and need to move on.
Get the word out to your local barns with big school horse programs and let them know what you're looking for. You might need to be prepared to become a member of that barn as a bit of an "in" for the sale.......
KD

[findeight]

Ask around your local trainer barns or check the actual farm websites.

A garden variety kids Pony is not going to be up on those nationwide sales websites...and they usually sell by word of mouth from trainer to trainer.

You can also check your classified ads, any regional horsey newsletters or papers, regional club newletters and websites or just look at the board at your local tack store.

A 12 year old kids Pony priced at, say, 1500, is not going to get listed on the fancy sites.

[GettingBack]

Yup, that's what I'm looking for Findeight - you know, that pony that the kid can just learn on, ride on the mountain with, do a little ring work with, ride bareback. Nothing fancy, just solid - like my first horse was. I did everything with that horse when I was just learning, and she was definitely no world-beater, but she taught me to ride, and take care of a horse like no one's business. I want the same for my boys :)

[dogchushu]

Yup. Check around with local barns. I've seen ponies come through my barn over the years that aren't world beaters (though they could pick up ribbons at rated stuff with a good ride) but they pack kids around on trails, go hunting, everything. Everytime a rider outgrows one of those saints, there's another rider waiting in the wings to snatch him up! Most of them are still at the barn.

[Ozone]

Barns that have these ponies keep them because they are worth their weight in gold but I would stop by some local & backkyardy barns maybe they will give up one of their noble steeds.

[bumknees]

Have you checked your local craigs list? I have seen more than a few but less than a lot of everyday ponies listed in my state. Prices ranging from free to bout 1500$.

[joiedevie99]

Check the pony club classifieds: http://www.ponyclub.org/classifieds.php

Also, you can use that site to search for local clubs and send the DC an email about what you are looking for.

[finallyflash]

GettingBack-

I sent you a PM.

[Quin]

Lesson barn would be my first suggestion too, but you've ruled that out.

It's the wrong time of year for it, but near the end of the season you might make contact with any summer camps in your area that include riding; some of them don't keep horses over the winter. A third option might be to contact local Western, QH, and Trail groups. You're looking for dead-broke kid-safe, not world-beater jumping. You can teach a dead-broke western pony to get over cross-rails or maybe even a 2' vertical with less effort than you would use to get a hot little jumper to be mellow and kid-safe.

[InWhyCee Redux]

Lesson barn would be my first suggestion too, but you've ruled that out.

It's the wrong time of year for it, but near the end of the season you might make contact with any summer camps in your area that include riding; some of them don't keep horses over the winter. A third option might be to contact local Western, QH, and Trail groups. You're looking for dead-broke kid-safe, not world-beater jumping. You can teach a dead-broke western pony to get over cross-rails or maybe even a 2' vertical with less effort than you would use to get a hot little jumper to be mellow and kid-safe.

Ditto the Western angle — there are bound to be some QH or Appaloosa "honies" that are too short to be registered or shown, but would be great for a kid. I learned to jump on a former Colorado cow-pony who could herd sheep and jump 3', BTW. ;)