1st time owner - pony not as advertised

[LouWood23]

Where to begin ?

So we moved to a new house in June with small paddock out the back. We had saved and then set it up to get 2 shetland ponies ( built a field shelter, mini stable etc. )

We were buying one of our friends ponies that my wee boy(age 3) was used to riding L/R - a 5 year old mini sheltand gelding. So we hunted for another gelding and found a 16 year old standard gelding shetland pony 2 hours from us.

Advertised as a bomb proof child friendly ridden L/R pony. Went to see him and he seemed fine but when we went to see him he was in his head collar waiting for us and all we did was look him over, ask some questions and took him a short walk.

Anyway, the shetland gelding arrived 14th but my friend who was selling us the mini gelding decided not to sell to us as found a home that would take both her ponies together ( she was selling a 13h pony as well as the mini)

So we were left with a week or so to find another shetland and a wee rescue mini mare came up so we took her.

So Bryn arrived few days before the mare and all seemed OK. Our Mare arrived and they were seperated for 24 hours and then put in the paddock together. Our gelding was trying to mount her- 5th leg out etc so we seperated with electic fencing for 1 week and tried again but still faced the same situation.

To make it worse, our gelding is uncatchable , taking 2 ppl to help me catch him and just being very flinchy and didn't feel like the pony described to us.

The previous owners left to work abroad until ? Christmas and are currently ncontactable.

I made lots of phone calls and found out the gelding had left the breeders /stud farm as a stallion in March and then he was sold to 2 different people who moved him on very quickly and he went to auction as a gelding where a women bought him and trained him to be a L/R child safe pony. He then went to the family at a farm where I bought him from In July.

Anyway, I am now stuck with a gelding pony that was meant for my wee boy to L/R ride which I paid alot for that I can't catch and my paddock split in half with each pony on their own.

I've started the gelding on agnus castus, Mag ox and valerian herbs 1 week ago but not seeing any change.

Do I give it more time or do I just cut my losses and sell the poor gelding on - I feel terrible for him but its not working for us.

It's been so stressful when It should be a happy enjoyable time. I just feel like I've created the huge mess and don't know what to do to sort it for the best.

 

[meleeka]

How long have you had them? When was he gelded? Did the previous owner mis sell him or would he have been fine without the mare I wonder. I’m not sure who would actually buy him if you sell him on.

 

[TheMule]

Buyer beware- you didn’t trial the pony properly or dig into any of its history. I'm sorry you've had problems, but it sounds like they were all avoidable

 

[Widgeon]

I think I wouldn't panic yet, he's only been with you 8-12 weeks. If you persevere with him he may well settle down and become catchable and rideable with time. It sounds like he's been moved around a lot recently after a long stay in one home (the stud) so he's probably more than averagely unsettled.

The fact that he's been so recently gelded is a pain though - I've got no experience with that so no idea if he's likely to settle with mares. What's the situation with the mini mare - is she a loan from a rescue? Could you find a second gelding instead? If yours was only gelded earlier this year, you can't really blame him for doing what he thinks is his job when he's turned out with a mare.

Sorry you're in this situation - I agree it could have been avoided but it sounds like you've been somewhat taken advantage of. I would definitely give him more time, and give the supplements longer to have an effect (if they're going to) - a week isn't long to see a change. If it's any consolation, stallions are not all the raving lunatics that UK horse culture seems to view them as, so the fact that he has been a stallion isn't necessarily a reason in itself to write him off.

 

[LouWood23]

Buyer beware- you didn’t trial the pony properly or dig into any of its history. I'm sorry you've had problems, but it sounds like they were all avoidable

I asked lots of questions and told he was easy to catch, easy for farrier , was not told he was recently gelded.

He isn't easy to catch, and if you touch his legs he tries to bite and refuses to life his feet.

I would not describe this pony as easy to do, bombproof etc etc

He comes across very spooky and wary !

 

[LouWood23]

I think I wouldn't panic yet, he's only been with you 8-12 weeks. If you persevere with him he may well settle down and become catchable and rideable with time. It sounds like he's been moved around a lot recently after a long stay in one home (the stud) so he's probably more than averagely unsettled.

The fact that he's been so recently gelded is a pain though - I've got no experience with that so no idea if he's likely to settle with mares. What's the situation with the mini mare - is she a loan from a rescue? Could you find a second gelding instead? If yours was only gelded earlier this year, you can't really blame him for doing what he thinks is his job when he's turned out with a mare.

Sorry you're in this situation - I agree it could have been avoided but it sounds like you've been somewhat taken advantage of. I would definitely give him more time, and give the supplements longer to have an effect (if they're going to) - a week isn't long to see a change. If it's any consolation, stallions are not all the raving lunatics that UK horse culture seems to view them as, so the fact that he has been a stallion isn't necessarily a reason in itself to write him off.

We have only had him 17 days now

We own the mini mare ( she was rescued from a field from a convicted drug dealer) but she is the sweetest wee thing and really don't want to part with her.

I could look for another mare and sell him but not sure how long to give him? I have someone who'd like to buy him but at half the price I paid for him. I feel very sorry for him to be moved about so so much inna short space of time.

All I know is he doesn't meet alot of the advertised attributes !

 

[LouWood23]

How long have you had them? When was he gelded? Did the previous owner mis sell him or would he have been fine without the mare I wonder. I’m not sure who would actually buy him if you sell him on.

Why would no one buy him?

 

[LouWood23]

I couldn't edit my OP but wanted to highlight we've only had him 17 days

I have now put him on my hard standing area at my stable area with haynets to see if I can get him more catchable over next week but the covering/mounting of the mare another worry.

 

[millikins]

I wouldn't panic just yet, he's been passed around and hasn't had a chance to settle anywhere. I bought a Shetland mare in May, she's very laid back but it's only been the last couple of weeks that I've been able to catch her easily, she's just softened and decided that we're o.k. after all. I also have a Welsh A type gelding who's been very amorous with her and she's encouraged him, I've owned him since he was 2 and he was gelded when purchased.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would give him time to settle 17 days is nothing and it can take months after gelding for the hormones to go especially if he was used as a stud stallion, just keep him separate for now handle daily and just give him a bit more time.

 

[Bellaboo18]

You've had him just over 2 weeks. I'd give him time to settle in. There's every chance if you get another it'll take them just as long to settle.

 

[AmyMay]

Have you spoken to your vet to see if there’s anything they can do to help - ie some sort of chemical intervention that might help calm his stallion tendencies down?

 

[pinkfluffy]

As others have said, 17 days is not a lot of time. I've had mine nearly 10 months and he's only really properly settled the last couple of months. It can take a while.

 

[Goldenstar]

You need advice from a vet on this speak to one that does stud work .
There may well help that will get the pony over then transition. Ring your vet practice on Monday .

 

[ycbm]

I'm really confused by the way you write about him, naming him about half way through and from then on referring to him as "the gelding". You sound more concerned about how much you paid for him than about whether you will be able to turn him into the pony you tried out, and if he senses that you don't like him that's going to make things a lot more difficult.

I can see why you would be cross about things turning out this way, I think the buyers probably saw you coming and took advantage of that. He's had more than enough time to recover from castration and lose the hormones, so the stallion behaviour is a big worry. I think it might be best for everyone if you take the offer you've been given and start again. I certainly wouldn't criticise that choice, especially when a 3 year old child is involved.
.

 

[southerncomfort]

.

 

[Clodagh]

I’d sell him now, today, for the offer you’ve had. Every haynet etc is costing you time and money and he’s not going to be one suitable for your son without a lot of experienced handling. And tbh I’d not trust him ever.

 

[Glitter's fun]

So Bryn arrived few days before the mare and all seemed OK.

This sounds as if you were happy with him to begin with. Was he ok to handle until the mare arrived?

 

[Widgeon]

I can see why you would be cross about things turning out this way, I think the buyers probably saw you coming and took advantage of that. He's had more than enough time to recover from castration and lose the hormones, so the stallion behaviour is a big worry. I think it might be best for everyone if you take the offer you've been given and start again. I certainly wouldn't criticise that choice, especially when a 3 year old child is involved.

I think this is also a valid opinion! If the home he's being offered is (in your opinion) a good one, no one could blame you for selling. You're a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place. Personally I would give the pony more time (how much will your son really want to ride over the winter?) but equally if you want to cut your losses and start over, that's fair enough. But either way, try not to feel too despondent, this isn't your fault and with the right home (which may not be you) the pony will most likely improve.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My sister's gelding, 16 when she bought him in 2017, was gelded at about 11 and had been used at stud. We were told he was fine with mares and in fact he had been running out with a brood mare when we looked at him. After getting him home and turning him out with a mare we soon found out that he still had interest in mares. However he isn't a problem as long as he is caught first and you aren't soft with him. He is very masculine and bossy. In the early days if you caught the mare first he would get excited as he thought you were holding her for him to cover. He is quiet to ride, only goes on the lead, not suitable as FR as doesn't go off the lead. However we wouldn't let a child handle him as he would walk all over them.
This Shetland could well be fine once he has settled but personally if someone wants to buy him I would let him go. You will have to put a lot of work in to get him back to what you thought you had bought and it doesn't sound as though you like him enough to be worth doing it.

 

[Gloi]

We have only had him 17 days now
I have someone who'd like to buy him but at half the price I paid for him. I feel very sorry for him to be moved about so so much inna short space of time.

Bite their hand off and put it down to experience.
Next time you buy a pony take an experienced horse person with you.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I feel very sorry for him to be moved about so so much inna short space of time.

But not sorry enough to move him on yet again without making any attempt to help him settle in and seek expert help with him? Let him go now to the person offering half the money and lets all hope to God the new buyer is experienced enough to help the poor pony, or ask the rescue who let you have the other one if they will take him on?

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Are you sure he s been gelded?

 

[AmyMay]

But not sorry enough to move him on yet again without making any attempt to help him settle in and seek expert help with him? Let him go now to the person offering half the money and lets all hope to God the new buyer is experienced enough to help the poor pony, or ask the rescue who let you have the other one if they will take him on?

Oooo, rather harsh.

 

[ycbm]

I do think things are a bit different when you've got a 3 year old child in close proximity to a horse of any size that lacks basic manners.
.

 

[Clodagh]

I do think things are a bit different when you've got a 3 year old child in close proximity to a horse of any size that lacks basic manners.
.

Absolutely. Risk yourself to your hearts content but not a small child.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Oooo, rather harsh.

Possibly, but not half as harsh as the future that probably faces this poor pony. The concern that a 3 year old child is likely to be near this pony is valid, but I would respectfully suggest if buying a small pony that will be around a very small child that extreme diligence should be used when purchasing any pony. In my humble opinion it was not the case in this instance.

 

[Clodagh]

Possibly, but not half as harsh as the future that probably faces this poor pony. The concern that a 3 year old child is likely to be near this pony is valid, but I would respectfully suggest if buying a small pony that will be around a very small child that extreme diligence should be used when purchasing any pony. In my humble opinion it was not the case in this instance.

We were all novices once.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

Your timeline is inconsistent. First you say that you got him in July, now you say that it's only been seventeen days.

 

[ester]

He went to the previous home in July.

Honestly I'd take the offer for him that's on the table.