Daddy, I want a Pony - p l e a s e

[Bob]

Now what parent hasn't heard their little girl tell us it's time to have the pony?

We just know that we don't want to disappoint and say that's a dream that won't ever happen..

And we just know that as our daughter grows up, she'll continually remind us, Dad, about my pony..

and you’ve cracked.

You say to yourself, "It’ll be good for her to learn responsibility, to have something to take care of" – of course it will, but are YOU prepared? Here are 11 things you need to know before you take possession of that perfect first pony….

1. This is the conversation you’ll have with your child before the pony arrives: “Having your own pony is a big responsibility, Daisy. You need to understand that I won’t be doing anything to help! No, you’ll be doing all the mucking out and grooming yourself.” You already know this is a lie, right? Just checking.

2. With that in mind, get used to your colleagues sniffing and saying ‘what’s that SMELL?’ because Daisy overslept so you had to nip down to the yard and do a quick muck- and turn-out before heading off to work.

3. Ponies are expensive. If you’ve already got a horse, you’ll be familiar with the concept of living off cheese on toast for weeks on end in order to pay an eye-watering vet’s bill. If you haven’t – well, you may be in for a bit of a shock. You may think you’re prepared and have factored in everything you’re going to spend, from shoes to insurance to livery, but get yourself a credit card for emergencies, just in case. Trust us on this.

4. Get used to being a taxi service. Your life – particularly during the competition and hunting seasons, which is pretty much all the seasons – will revolve round dropping off and picking up your child from the yard, travelling to and from various shows, with quite a lot of sitting round in between. Invest in a good Thermos flask and a Kindle.

5. Talking of which, if you don’t have a horsebox, Daisy will insist that you need one. How else is she going to get to shows? You will look into the price of hiring a box as and when you need one, and then realise it’s cheaper in the long run just to buy one yourself. See point two: ponies are expensive….

6. You’ll become acquainted with the unique breed that is the Pony Club mum. Perhaps you’ll even become one yourself. Whether it’s cheering from the sidelines, arguing over lost points with the judge, or embarrassing your child by crying for joy when they come third in the egg-and-spoon race, your life will revolve round, well, Pony Club. And you’ll secretly love it.

7. Daisy will, at some point, fall off. Probably a lot of times. And you will have to be cool about it. If you want to keep your child wrapped up in cotton wool, don’t buy them a pony.

8. Your house will be infested with horse stuff. Bridles on the coat rack, muddy boots in the kitchen, horse hair-encrusted jodhpurs and smelly riding socks all over the bathroom. If you have a cream carpet, take action and swap it for wood flooring now, while there’s still time.

9. When she turns 14, Daisy’s posters of Valegro will be replaced overnight with photos of Harry out of 1D, and she’ll go all moody and hormonal. She may seem less interested in her pony than that spotty youth with the skateboard that lives down the road. Don’t panic. We all go through this stage, and the pony always wins in the end. Just hang in there.

10. You’ve started something you can’t stop now. You thought it was just the one 11.2hh Welsh Section A you’d be buying for Daisy, didn’t you? But she grew out of Snowy, so you had to get her a bigger one, and now she’s on about becoming an eventer and needing a £20K German-produced KPWN. Whatever one of those is.

Maybe you should have just stuck to getting her the complete set of My Little Ponies instead.

11. You are at high risk of catching the horse bug yourself. Have you checked out the ads at the back of H&H recently?

There’s a lovely bay hunter in there that would be just perfect for you… and you are hopelessly hooked..

(from: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/featu...-a-pony-509290)

[Flash]

I was
daisy once, my dad gave me the whole talk serie, the horse was already tagged by me - I want this one - and it is my mom who said "no f way, I will not collect manure", I thought she was a witch. poor mom, now I understand.

[Bob]

And there is an apparent positive side, which is presented in this short set of points:

10 Reasons Why It's Good to Have a Horse-Crazy Kid

"Have you ever rolled your eyes in response to your child's eager cries of, "I want a pony!” Too expensive, you think. It's just a phase, you assume. "Pick something else,” you tell her over and over again.

"But wait! Having a horse-crazy child isn't as terrible as you might imagine. In fact, encouraging your son or daughter to get in the saddle might just be the best thing that could happen to both of you.

"Now that I'm a mother, I am thrilled that my young daughter loves horses, and here are ten reasons why."

1. Horses teach a sense of responsibility.
Learning how to care for a living, breathing, complex animal requires dedication and a solid sense of responsibility. You don't have to own a horse to experience this. Most lessons involve getting the horse ready and untacking afterwards. Riders are expected to dress appropriately, show up on time, and take good care of the lesson horses and equipment. As she earns the respect of those around her and learns new skills, your child will quickly learn that being responsible pays off.

2. It takes commitment.
How many times do kids start piano lessons only to let them fizzle out after a year or so? How often do we see a child obsessed with karate in 3rd grade, but hate it by 4th? Horseback riding takes commitment, and there's nothing better than committing to lessons to help your child learn the value of sticking with something, working hard, and experiencing positive reinforcement.

3. Riding encourages a healthy sense of pride.
Horse enthusiasts will tell you that nothing feels better than mastering a challenging riding skill, whether it's getting your horse to stop on command at your first lesson, learning how to change diagonals, jumping a full course, or achieving a goal in the show ring. Being able to successfully communicate with a 1,000-pound animal is a major confidence booster for riders of all levels.

4. Learning to ride well takes focus.
Ever notice when you focus on a single complicated task, you can't worry about anything else? Horseback riding can do that for you! A rider must use his brain and body to control and communicate with his horse. For a tween or teen, riding is one time when your daughter can't worry about what her friend said at school that day, or if she'll get asked to the dance. During a ride, the mind has a break from other worries, and that's a major anxiety-buster that can help your child develop lifelong emotional health.

5. Riding requires athletic ability.
Any experienced equestrian will gladly explain that you don't "just sit there.” Riding takes strength and endurance. My entire body has been sore after countless lessons. You use your legs, core, arms, and back when you're in the saddle. Riding is a full-body workout, and soon your child will feel empowered, strong, and confident in his or her body.

6. The stable can provide a healthy atmosphere.
It's well worth the effort to find a riding center where you and your child feel comfortable. Fellow riders can provide a tight-knit group of friends who support each other away from the drama and stress of a school environment. I think the barn can be one of the most positive social environments available, connecting people of all ages who share a passion and love for horses. Sure, there may be competition involved, but isn't that a part of any sport, and of life in general? The riding arena serves as a safe place to learn about healthy competition.

7. It's a source of immediate happiness.
There can't be many mood-boosters out there as powerful and medication-free as a rigorous riding session. Your tween might go into a lesson feeling down or edgy, but I bet more often or not, she will get off the horse feeling calmer and happier.

8. Riding is a special way to spend time together.
This is a major bonus to those of us adults who already ride or who have always wanted to ride. If your son or daughter is interested, riding is a fantastic way to spend time together. Any age and any level can ride together given the right environment. You'll have a pal to join you for horse shows, equine volunteer work, or fairs and festivals. I'm already dreaming about all the horse-related fun I will share with my daughter in the future.

9. It's a lifelong skill.
Unlike some sports that only capture a child's interest for a season or two, or end with high school graduation, riding never has to stop. I rode as a young girl, and now I'm riding again as a grown-up in my 30's. Where I ride, there are children up to adults in their 60's and 70's taking lessons and showing. You can always improve your skills, no matter your age. Most importantly, I don't think riding ever stops being fun.

10. Working towards a goal is a key factor in the happiness equation.
We all want our kids to be happy, don't we? Whether your child's dream is to own a horse, run barrels, jump fences, master dressage principles, or anything else the horse world has to offer, working towards a goal is an essential element to happiness. The beauty of horses is that when a rider achieves one goal, success is celebrated, but there's always another goal to strive for next.

"The horse world can be a lifelong joy for your child and you. Instead of brushing off your son or daughter's burgeoning interest, why not let them give it a try? It might just be the greatest gift you ever give as a parent.

"Julia Arnold is a writer living in Minnesota with her husband and two young children. She has always loved horses and is thrilled to have officially rejoined the horse world as an adult. "

-- just wondering out loud, are you as a parent one who was denied your opportunity to have "your pony" at a young age?