Well my baby has graudated to his own ride! Yesterday we bought a small pony for my 5 year old son and he absolutly loves her! We had her saddled and rode at least 3 times through out the day. And I figure even if he out grows her in a few years, Misty will help build his confidence in riding and indepence.

I'd post a photo is I knew how :( Any ideas?

Anway..... It's been awhile since I've had a pony so I do have a few questions.

1)food rations? (my farrier said 2 bets of hay in the am and pm, no grain or pasture cause she may founder) your opinions

2) best bit to use? using a split bit now (shes 5 yrs, old but still a little bullie at times)

3)her only bad vice...stopping to graze, how to break that? tips on that? may go hand in hand with the food rations? Jack (my son) doesn't have enough upper arm (yet) strength to keep her from going down to graze

Thanks and sorry for gushing! Just a proud momma here! 

My ponies live on dirt for the most part.  They each ( one is 12.2 hands and the other is 11.1 hands ) get 1/2 cup Purina Omolene & 2 flakes of hay twice per day. My old (34) pony gets a different ration.  I'll turn them out in the 3 acre lot (where there is lots of grass ) for several hours once or twice a week.  I put the other 4 horses/mule in there along with them, so the grass is not just for the ponies.  I DO NOT do this in the spring !  Only late summer after the grass is not so rich. 

Not knowing the size of your pony . . . my bigger pony can carry a 4 3/4 Kimberwicke bit.  The Shetland a 4 1/2 inch Snaffle.  I can email several websites where you can get small pony/mini tack.  The old man Shetland wore a 4" snaffle

There is an "anti grazing headset" you can get to help with the "munchies".  Sort of like a Chambon.  Basically keeps them from dropping their head to the ground.  Smart ponies, and they are smart, will manage to grab the tall grass or trees, or bushes or whatever they feel they need to put in their mouths even with this head set on.

Have fun . . . I love my ponies

Bits for ponies are harder to find.  I usually have most of mine made since my kids prefer to ride western.  Most pony companies seem to only carry the 4 1/2" and 4 3/4" bits in English styles.  Reinsman does make a few bits in smaller sizes, but you have to go to the main website to view them.  Ponies have lots of personality; sometimes too much.  I second the anti-grazing device until you son gets strong enough to make the pony listen.  Good luck.

From what I can tell, the Centaur device is adjusted by a conway buckle and holes, and the other one uses "D" rings on the "reins" sort of like a German Martingale.  I like that the Centaur connects to the bridle with velcro.  That should make it easier.

As far as the bits are concerned . . . I've bought several bits from Just for Ponies, and they are a good company to do business with.  If she's a little smaller than a Shetland, I would probably think that a 4" or 3 3/4" would do.

When you measure, measure from the ground to the withers.  That's the bone at the base of the mane. 

I think if you click on the link below it will take you to a photo
href="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv289/shelly1367/100_24241.jpg">http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv289/shelly1367/100_24241.jpg" border="0" alt="Jack & "Misty"">