So that:
A) You were sure they would stick with it and
B) They appreciate it!
Some of you will remember that my old pony Charlie was destined to be a 'family pony', though when I first bought him only I rode him as the kids were still very young. But when when they were old enough to ride him he was still too sharp. He also always felt too small for me at 14hh because he was quite fine. So Charlie I was sold to a competitive SJ home and I got a loan pony for them and Thyme for me. But by then they had spent years hanging round the yard, most of the time not even riding. And they were bored of it. And though I thought having a suitable pony to ride would make all the difference, actually within few weeks they started making a fuss about going to the yard again. It wasn't fair to make them miss out on things they loved (ballet and gymnastics!) because there was never any money or time left. So Thyme and the pony left......
That was August 2012. Early this year they started asking for lessons again. I said no for several months but in the summer I let them. They are loving it. Also 5 out of 7 girls in their class (it's mixed year groups in their form) have a pony now. When we had ponies there were no other friends or even children up at the yard. They spend lots of time up there anyway with their friends now. And they have stopped ballet and gym too.
I an still officially saying no to another pony but actually I would love one. Especially a chunky native type we could share..... So WWYD
A) You were sure they would stick with it and
B) They appreciate it!
Some of you will remember that my old pony Charlie was destined to be a 'family pony', though when I first bought him only I rode him as the kids were still very young. But when when they were old enough to ride him he was still too sharp. He also always felt too small for me at 14hh because he was quite fine. So Charlie I was sold to a competitive SJ home and I got a loan pony for them and Thyme for me. But by then they had spent years hanging round the yard, most of the time not even riding. And they were bored of it. And though I thought having a suitable pony to ride would make all the difference, actually within few weeks they started making a fuss about going to the yard again. It wasn't fair to make them miss out on things they loved (ballet and gymnastics!) because there was never any money or time left. So Thyme and the pony left......
That was August 2012. Early this year they started asking for lessons again. I said no for several months but in the summer I let them. They are loving it. Also 5 out of 7 girls in their class (it's mixed year groups in their form) have a pony now. When we had ponies there were no other friends or even children up at the yard. They spend lots of time up there anyway with their friends now. And they have stopped ballet and gym too.
I an still officially saying no to another pony but actually I would love one. Especially a chunky native type we could share..... So WWYD