AmyMay
Situation normal
Yes, read it again and I think you’re right.
1st time owner - pony not as advertised
- Thread starter LouWood23
- Start date
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
Of course, but I am think even (or perhaps especially) as a novice, if you have small toddlers you intend buying a pony for and you know you have no experience whatsoever, surely you would be extremely cautious and enlist professional help to find the right pony. It's not rocket science.
Goldie's mum
Well-Known Member
I feel sorry for OP.
They took a series of small miss steps one after the other & then turned round & realized they were a long way down the wrong road.
Plan A was buy a friend's pony, that the boy was already riding.
Bryn wasn't the main event. He was to be the companion of the important one. Just a companion for another gelding. So the phone calls weren't made (until later), he wasn't tried ridden & no experts were consulted or vetting done. Big mistake, but you can see how he got almost overlooked.
Suddenly the friend lets them down & Brynn has to step up into the starring role- that he was never interviewed for!
Then another companion pops up from somewhere, making the situation even more complicated, being the wrong gender for the first .
As has been said - the 3 year old in the mix makes all the difference to the advice. ( That and OP is more fond of the mare, so even if Bryn would be ok in a non-mixed herd environment OP wouldn't want to keep him now.)
The only sensible thing to do next is sell Brynn & don't buy anything else without asking for help.
They took a series of small miss steps one after the other & then turned round & realized they were a long way down the wrong road.
Plan A was buy a friend's pony, that the boy was already riding.
Bryn wasn't the main event. He was to be the companion of the important one. Just a companion for another gelding. So the phone calls weren't made (until later), he wasn't tried ridden & no experts were consulted or vetting done. Big mistake, but you can see how he got almost overlooked.
Suddenly the friend lets them down & Brynn has to step up into the starring role- that he was never interviewed for!
Then another companion pops up from somewhere, making the situation even more complicated, being the wrong gender for the first .
As has been said - the 3 year old in the mix makes all the difference to the advice. ( That and OP is more fond of the mare, so even if Bryn would be ok in a non-mixed herd environment OP wouldn't want to keep him now.)
The only sensible thing to do next is sell Brynn & don't buy anything else without asking for help.
LouWood23
Active Member
I was just really tired writing the post was nothing in it naming him or not.
The money is an issue as I don't think he is worth what I paid for him hence why the money side does worry me. I will loose about £700 value on him maybe more.
So you think his behaviour won't change ? I have a equine behaviourist coming out in 2 weeks time. Yes , I am really confused what to do and trying to protect my 3 year old but also don't want to do him unjust by moving him on so quickly.
LouWood23
Active Member
I took my child with me to view him and he rode him L/R- the seller told me all three of her young children walked him about their field no issues and showed me photos /videos of this etc
I had no doubt in my mind at that time he wasnt safe - she described him as bomb proof.
LouWood23
Active Member
You are right in some aspects, but Bryn was to be as much a star of the show as Archie.
My wee one did actually ride him when I went to view and all appeared fine ?
I will attached the advert wording as well and was confirmed when I viewed the pony with my son. I took advice from my friends who all own horses so wasn't going in blind.
Attachments
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Well its perfectly possible he was as described with them .
LouWood23
Active Member
I have told them I am giving it another few weeks and they aren't in any rush so it may be he goes to this new home as a gelding companion. My friend breeds minis amd does have a 34in mare we can have for free (but unbacked) to take his place but leaves us with no ridden ponies. I feel to nervous to buy another pony from anyone after what is happend. I feel I asked lots of questions and when viewed the pony appeared very quiet but was kept on his own at the previous home.
I don't know what else I could have asked ? Is he safe in traffic - yes , Is he easy to catch, yes, good with kids - yes with all 3 of my kids. Etc etc etc
LouWood23
Active Member
Sorry I couldn't edit it
He went to his previous home in July
Came to us mid Sept.
LouWood23
Active Member
Why do you assume I'm making no attempt to settle him or get expert advice?
I have a equine behaviourist x 2 coming in 2 weeks and I have been asking everyone I know that has ponies /horses for advice.
I have started him on calming herbs and divided the paddock and I am trying to gain his trust. I wouldn't describe that as doing doing ?
LouWood23
Active Member
There was no vet stamp on the passport but I've checked and not intact and can feel a scar there. I have spoke to my vet about getting a blood test done to test for a rig but they said that was rare these days?
LouWood23
Active Member
He seemed fine- we even took him out a L/R hack with my wee boy on day 2 and he was fine , just a bit stop and start and could catch him 1st day but I had left his head collar on him. But wondering if he was just shut down?
Now I can't get him to lift his back feet, he's very hard to catch - he backs away from anyone approaching him then will run off. When tied up to groom he's backing up to try get away- then the mounting our mini mare !
maya2008
Well-Known Member
I would suggest he might need a gelding only home. I once had my first mare in a field with a gelding who behaved as this one does. Mounting everything in sight and very stallion-like. Cut late. When he left marks down both sides of my mare from his front shoes, the owner was mortified and moved him to a gelding only yard. He was fine there and his behaviour with his owner improved hugely also. Without the mare, he might indeed be the pony you went to view.
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Did they themselves own mares though?
I don't think he was missold - I think he was missbought if anything - and might be fine if not kept with mares. Can you send the mare somewhere for a fortnight and see, and if not, accept the offer for him.
We had a late cute Shetland who was very much the perfect lr/fr but would still try and mount mares in the field until about the age of 30 if they gave him encouragement to do so....but put a toddler near him and he was hoof perfect. an atom bomb could go off under his belly and he'd not flinch.
I don't think he was missold - I think he was missbought if anything - and might be fine if not kept with mares. Can you send the mare somewhere for a fortnight and see, and if not, accept the offer for him.
We had a late cute Shetland who was very much the perfect lr/fr but would still try and mount mares in the field until about the age of 30 if they gave him encouragement to do so....but put a toddler near him and he was hoof perfect. an atom bomb could go off under his belly and he'd not flinch.
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Goldie's mum
Well-Known Member
This ^^
Kaylum
Well-Known Member
We have had a 2 late cut rigs into the sanctuary depends who has done it
SilverLinings
Well-Known Member
It can take horses a long time to settle in, even if they displayed no behavioural problems in their new home; he is having to adjust to a new home, a new routine, new handlers and a new companion. When I buy horses they are always on six month's 'probation' in my mind, and how ever good they were at the viewings or are when I get them home I don't make a decision on whether they are a good fit with me (and therefore staying) until the six months is up. Even though some of them have initially 'played up', Over 30 years I have only had to sell one at the end of the six months, and that was actually because my needs changed.
I had an excellent horse who stopped being caught as soon as I bought him; I had ridden him in his old home for months before buying him and know that he hadn't been a problem there, but he became impossible when he got to me. It turned out he really liked his new field companion, and as he had been unsettled by the move he felt 'safer' staying in the field with his new friend. It took five months to sort out the catching in, but after that I owned him for another 20 years and he would always come to me with no hesitation.
I bought another who after a month with me started to become a lot more lively than he had been when I tried him. I found out more about his old home and I suspect due to loneliness and borderline neglect he had become shut down; once he started to feel settled with me his personality came out and he started to enjoy life. I still have him and he's a great ride as although forward going he is still as reliably safe as when I tried him.
OP you are the only one who can decide whether you like the pony enough to work through the current issues. I would say that 17 days is no time for any horse to settle in, and that when buying any animal you cannot reliably expect them to behave in the same way with you as they did in their old home. A few do, most take time to settle, and a few are permanently changed (like the second horse I mentioned above). As the pony is for a child safety is important, and if you want to give it a go I would suggest that only you handle the pony for now (with a hat, gloves and boots on, as we should wear around any new horse). Behaviour around the pony and any handling needs to be consistent and calm, with it being made clear to the pony what you want. I would set a reasonable time limit (such as 6-8 weeks) to start to see a change in the pony's behaviour, and at that point make a decision whether it looks like he will become suitable for your son or not.
If you decide to sell and are really worried after this experience then it might be a good idea to loan the next pony, which has the advantage of being able to return them when your son grows too big. Pony Clubs often have ponies that pass between children and the local DC or PC instructor is likely to know of any suitable ponies that may be looking for a home. Good luck with whatever you decide, and I hope that your son has a fantastic pony-filled childhood full of fun and adventures.
I had an excellent horse who stopped being caught as soon as I bought him; I had ridden him in his old home for months before buying him and know that he hadn't been a problem there, but he became impossible when he got to me. It turned out he really liked his new field companion, and as he had been unsettled by the move he felt 'safer' staying in the field with his new friend. It took five months to sort out the catching in, but after that I owned him for another 20 years and he would always come to me with no hesitation.
I bought another who after a month with me started to become a lot more lively than he had been when I tried him. I found out more about his old home and I suspect due to loneliness and borderline neglect he had become shut down; once he started to feel settled with me his personality came out and he started to enjoy life. I still have him and he's a great ride as although forward going he is still as reliably safe as when I tried him.
OP you are the only one who can decide whether you like the pony enough to work through the current issues. I would say that 17 days is no time for any horse to settle in, and that when buying any animal you cannot reliably expect them to behave in the same way with you as they did in their old home. A few do, most take time to settle, and a few are permanently changed (like the second horse I mentioned above). As the pony is for a child safety is important, and if you want to give it a go I would suggest that only you handle the pony for now (with a hat, gloves and boots on, as we should wear around any new horse). Behaviour around the pony and any handling needs to be consistent and calm, with it being made clear to the pony what you want. I would set a reasonable time limit (such as 6-8 weeks) to start to see a change in the pony's behaviour, and at that point make a decision whether it looks like he will become suitable for your son or not.
If you decide to sell and are really worried after this experience then it might be a good idea to loan the next pony, which has the advantage of being able to return them when your son grows too big. Pony Clubs often have ponies that pass between children and the local DC or PC instructor is likely to know of any suitable ponies that may be looking for a home. Good luck with whatever you decide, and I hope that your son has a fantastic pony-filled childhood full of fun and adventures.
AmyMay
Situation normal
I’m making no assumptions at all
LouWood23
Active Member
Would they have been breeding from a rig though? I thought was rare.We have had a 2 late cut rigs into the sanctuary depends who has done it
He isn't even trying to go through the electric fencing which sint even turned on now- he just ignores her unless in together ? I would need to pay £100 to get it done
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
It is not likely he is a rig. Just still remembering what to do. He'll likely be quieter in a gelding only home though.
honetpot
Well-Known Member
Yes we were, but usually supervised. Just because you want something, it doesn't mean you should have it. I got my first pony a seventeenish, but by that time I could look after and ride a hunter in full work.
I would have a bit more symapathy if they had posted on here for advice before they even bought it.
LouWood23
Active Member
I have planned to give him more time for sure, I believe he will be come what we had been sold in time as I can see glimpses of him coming out his shell. The major issue for me is the mounting of the mini mare - I am unsure what I can do to change that aspect.
But for now I am giving him more time and handing every day and at very worst case if he moves on I have done what I can. I will see what thr behaviourist says when they come out in 2 weeks time.
I don't know why ppl think I don't like him. I would love for it all to work out, why would I not?
I have lost so much sleep worrying about it all and wanting it to work. We have saved for ages and felt we did do our research. Also the mare was out in a mixed herd and various horsey ppl told me a gelding and mare would be fine. I took lots of advice.
I feel alot of replies are thinking I just rocked up to a farm and bought the 1st pony I went to see. I asked at loads of clubs amd local Equestrian centres which we regularly go to for pony rides etc and was no ponies for sale that were the right size.
LouWood23
Active Member
I had asked alot of my friends who have horses, I'd assume that's enough ?
LouWood23
Active Member
What does it matter about age ?
I shared horses all my life at local stables but never bought a pony.
I asked lots of friends in the horsey circle , I feel I did do my research. If seller had told me he was late cut I'd have went back to ask more advice on that aspect. I could only work with what I had been told. I think the only thing I did wrong was be too trusting but that's just my personalty.
LouWood23
Active Member
Anyway I came on here for some support and advice and I've came away feeling like most people are having a go at me rather than trying to offer me advice that can help.
I don't see the point of looking backwards at this point. Yes, I've made mistakes but no ones perfect and that's what makes us human.
Thanks
I don't see the point of looking backwards at this point. Yes, I've made mistakes but no ones perfect and that's what makes us human.
Thanks
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
I think rig behaviour can result from bad gelding, leaving tissue behind that still produces the hormones.
.
honetpot
Well-Known Member
Its nothing to do with age but competance, I have met people who have ridden most of their adult life, but because they have paid someone else to care for it, either because they are paying for lessons or livery, they are not competant to care for one on their own.
There is so much help and adivice now freely on the internet, google and Ytube is there for just about everything, you do not even have to phone friend, why not use it? Where a child is involved you should have a level of experience that makes sure the child reamains safe. Most of owning a horse is predicting the what if's and make sure they do not happen.
For my two penneth, take the offer, or get the vet out to check its fully castrated, but in my experience geldings will mount gelding, just for fun, and I have seen a gelding mount a mare across the back. No gear and no idea. It sounds like the pony is stressed.
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ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Par for the course when you ask a forum full of strangers with unknown levels of genuine knowledge, I'm afraid. You did get support, you just need to ignore what isn't helpful.
Kaylum
Well-Known Member
We don't get much details to be honest x
LouWood23
Active Member
So are you saying I am incompetent at looking after the ponies now? I didn't know I was now being questioned about my ability to care for them.
If the pony is stressed I have treated him no differently than my Mare who arrived the same week and my mare is very settled, coming to the gate for me and following me around.
I have not mis treated them to cause the stress.