Advice please regarding a pony bought.

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Troyseph

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Hi all about a month ago we went to view a pony for friends for their daughter who's 13. Confident but only been riding 3 years.

Went n seen a lovely welshie, she was within budget (£1,000) aged 14, just rather fat, seller seemed very honest, actually ran a rescue so thought that was lovely. Pony was a star when trialled in all ways, only prob was she could test, as in nappy near gates which she did, but nothing at al awful no rearing or anything, so after a lengthy visit and chats they decided she was the one.

Fast forward a month of them owning her and she is literally the most evil horse I have ever come across. She goes for people in the field, she chased one of the youngsters so bad it jumped a 5 bar gate(unharmed)

She's attacked my boy several times and quite bad where he was limping on his hind after.

She's now been solitary since. As she's dangerous to other horses it seems.

When riding out, she goes for any horse bites kicks etc so she is not pleasant for us to hack out with.

I don't know what to do? I've suggested contacting the old owner and expressing concern, and seeing if they'll have her back, which they have now and their response was"she was never like that here"

So then I thought sell, they plan to keep said pony for a long time coming, and IMO it should be one that is suitable in all aspects.

They are now considering moving yards, the family are lovely but I really worry for their daughter and said I'd help them when she got her first pony.

What would you do?
 
It hasn't been long.
She is probably unsettled and insecure.
She needs to feel safe and secure, build trust with, rider, owner and handlers.

Try a hormone suppliment it could help.
 
No i know I did suggest that just becoming a bit of a liability! Already broken the girls ankle third time ridden, the girl bailed because the pony galloped off full pelt down a steep hill and wouldnt stop x
 
If the seller runs a "rescue" is it possible that this pony has had problems in the past and was rescued, not every rescuer is acting in the best interests of the ponies they take on.

What do you know about her history had they owned her and used her for their children that have outgrown her, did you see a child ride her when you went to try her?
 
Was the horse vetted? How many times was the pony viewed?

I'd be looking to return the horses for a full refund - I'm sorry, but even for a horse feeling unsettled, that is some extreme behaviour. While not always case, I do feel that horses in smaller 'home' type rescue places are in those places, (rather than WHW/Redwings etc) for a reason other than the current economic situation
 
Unless you know what you are doing I would offer it back to old owner (but they will probably sell to another unsuspecting person...so they are ££ in).

Either get professional help etc or if so dangerous I would PTS(sounds harsh) but I would not risk a dangerous horse. As soon as I read "never done that before". Lie lie lie. Its the old catch phrase.
 
be positive said:
If the seller runs a "rescue" is it possible that this pony has had problems in the past and was rescued, not every rescuer is acting in the best interests of the ponies they take on.

What do you know about her history had they owned her and used her for their children that have outgrown her, did you see a child ride her when you went to try her?
Click to expand...

^^ very good point. See if they can get history....post a new thread and pic on here if they will give you permission....see if anyone knows the pony.
 
This pony wasn't one of the rescues, it was the owners private horse but she was selling due to being pregnant and no time, they have a good rep as a decent rescue down here and get support from alot of people but yet don't seem to want to help ??? As the girls so young she thinks she loves the pony and is understandably upset I'm even suggest giving back or selling, but I've been in this game a long time now , I know when something's downright evil and dangerous, and this pony is! If it was a few quirks I'd say persevere I'm not one to give up on something but honestly she is unbelievably horrible x
 
If it was mine I would demand they take it bank no ifs no buts! The seller owned her 4 years and previous to that she was owned by other families with kids done local shows etc x
 
Was the pony in regular work when it was tried out? if it wasn't then and it is now in regular working then it could be in pain from saddle, bit etc or have an underlying problem.

Could still be a mixture of moving yards, hormones etc....is the new environment very different? from quiet field to busy yard fro example?
 
No it wasn't in regular work but technically not in regular ŵórk now as girl broke ankle, plus she was being ridden bareback so couldn't of been ill fitting saddle etc. she has come from a semi busy yard to quiet field x
 
What's happening to the other animals (assuming horses too?) if she is pregnant? Depending on how the sale was done, the BHS might be able to offer some help as to what to do.
 
Troyseph said:
No it wasn't in regular work but technically not in regular ŵórk now as girl broke ankle, plus she was being ridden bareback so couldn't of been ill fitting saddle etc. she has come from a semi busy yard to quiet field x
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Blimey...hope the lady responds soon then..what do the girls parents want to do? Are they looking to you for advice?
 
Sort of. I've said I feel best interest to send back or sell, and find something else suited, but the girl is very upset and now they are contemplating moving said pony to a field on its own somewhere although I don't know how that wil help as no one to hack with, stuck with a evil pony ?! X
 
Shysmum could be could be.. But doesn't show any signs of anger when tacked up or ridden.
Nugget, she has friends helping with rescues x
 
Tbh, I would get the pony vet checked asap, and certainly before she's ridden again. And teeth too. If there is something wrong, then you have some answers, and can go from there.

Definitely get your vet onboard before doing anything else. :)
 
So the girl was riding this pony bareback with access to a steep hill on the third time she had ridden it? Not a very safety conscious family then? I certainly wouldn't have allowed that to happen and it does make me wonder what other novicey things have been happening.
It sounds as if you know this pony locally, so what was it like when other people owned it? Did you see it out and about?
I would get the pony vet-checked by a vet who knows horses before making any decisions, other than to not ride it for the present.
 
Sounds like it could be pain or hormone related! My mare who is 13 ( had her since she was 4), suddenly started acting strangely a few months back and kicked our other mare while being led together and then tied up near each other. They had led/ tied up by each other for last two years so very strange! She was also being quite difficult to ride. I had her checked by mc Timoney chiropractor and it was found that her pelvis was misaligned and poll was also out. She is now back to her normal calm self. I have also started giving her a supplement for stroppy mares just in case! I did do some research on the Internet and did think it might be a tumour on her ovaries causing the problems so was going to get vet to check that out if mc Timoney didn't solve problem.
 
It may have been a private sale with no come back legally but if the previous owner is running an equine rescue and had owned this mare for 4 years you would expect more concern for the horse even if she does not really feel any responsibility towards the people involved.
At the very least she could offer some help and come out to visit, there may well be a physical reason for this behaviour which seems extreme if the pony has never been difficult in the past.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
So the girl was riding this pony bareback with access to a steep hill on the third time she had ridden it? Not a very safety conscious family then? I certainly wouldn't have allowed that to happen and it does make me wonder what other novicey things have been happening.
Click to expand...

^^ This.

Was the pony vetted?

When was it last checked by a farrier, vet and/or dentist?

I do hope if the pony is sold on that the current owners are scrupulously honest with potential buyers.
 
I'm thinking serious pain issue, I read a post recently re: kissing spine... It was in veterinary forum I think, it was about people riding horses with kissing spine bareback because it's more comfy, perhaps the horse reacted bad under saddle and previous owner thought it was just the fit? But equally not all rescuers are soft bunny huggers, doesn't
Sound like a serttling issue to me, I'd send back, but it sounds like the behaviour is physical in origin and the Animal is dangerous but probably not malicious
 
Ponies can be the work of the devil, and if the little mare is in season it could explain a lot.

I'm assuming the pony was vetted, and nothing obvious was thrown up - but it would be worth having a vet give her the once over etc.

Tack fitted correctly? Although this wouldn't explain her aggressive behaviour in the field. However, and again I'm assuming, I'm sure you didn't just chuck her in a field full of new horses and left to 'get on with it', and that proper and gradual introductions were made???

Did you ask the specific question of how she got on with other horses in the field??
 
Before selling on or PTS I think it'd be betterr to go down the professionals route, vet and looking for a well reputed schooling yard. Hormone levels would be well worth a look as the last month hours of daylight change very fast and this drives horse hormone levels.

A schooling yard (with solid reputation) offers experience over countless horses and ponies, also a way forward not risking children. It is costly but so are most problems with horses and PTS shouldn't be a first resort just as passing the problem on shouldn't be the first resort.
 
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