You've found a promising advert and arranged a visit. Here's exactly what to do — and watch for — from the moment you arrive. Allow at least an hour and never let anyone rush you.
Before you set off
- Ask the seller to leave the pony in the field or stable — you want to see it caught and tacked up, not presented ready-to-ride.
- Bring your child's riding hat and body protector, and ideally your instructor.
- Re-read the advert in the car. You're checking the pony matches it.
First impressions on the ground
- Watch it being caught. A pony that's hard to catch will be hard to catch every single day.
- Watch it being groomed and tacked up. Ears back, tail swishing or nipping when the girth is done up can suggest discomfort.
- Look at the pony's condition — feet, coat, weight. Well-cared-for ponies reflect well on their sellers' honesty generally.
- Pick up a foot yourself (ask first). A first pony must be safe for a child to handle.
- Watch it walk and trot up in hand on a hard, level surface. You're looking for even, comfortable strides — but leave the real soundness assessment to a vet.
The ridden test — in this order
- Seller's rider first. Never put your child on first. Watch the pony being ridden in walk, trot and canter, both reins, and over a small jump if relevant.
- Look for the boring signs of gold: a level head carriage, an unhurried rhythm, downward transitions from a light aid, standing still when asked.
- Then your child rides — supervised, starting in walk. Watch the pony's reaction to less confident aids. The best first ponies visibly "look after" a wobbly rider.
- Ask for what you'll actually do. If you'll hack on roads, ask to see it hacked past traffic. If your child will ride in open fields, ask for a canter in one.
Questions to ask while you're there
Work through our 25 questions — the answers sound different in person than on the phone. Pay attention to any answer that has changed.
Warning signs to take seriously
- The pony is already tacked up, sweaty, or "just been exercised" when you arrive.
- The seller won't let your child ride, or hurries the viewing.
- "He just needs a confident rider" — this is code, and not for anything good.
- Excuses for not showing basic handling: "the farrier's due", "she's funny with strangers".
- Any pressure to decide or pay a deposit on the spot.
No genuine seller minds a careful buyer. Anyone who makes you feel awkward for being thorough has told you what you needed to know.
After the viewing
- Sleep on it. Discuss it as a family away from the yard.
- If you're keen, arrange a second viewing on a different sort of day — ideally windy, ponies are more themselves in wind.
- Agree the sale subject to vetting, and read our guide to buying safely before any money moves.