Annoying mishap with newbie, where to go from here?

[milliepops]

Gawd scats, make sure you give yourself a chance to recover before kicking yourself too hard.. sounds like you've been through the mill.

 

[amandaco2]

start over..? feed her in the arena as well as work her in there, let it be as normal as leading to the field or being in the stable. same with tacking up, then being mounted then walking out etc.

 

[scats]

Just an update on the pony situation. Had a few really good sessions with her until last night when I rode her in some light breezy weather. She came out the barn and did he most ridiculous drop spook at a car coming onto the yard. I ignored her and took her in the manège, lead her around in hand first and she was fine. Got on, walked around, she was nervous at certain parts of the manège but not too bad. But then went into trot and she was awful. Leaping out of her skin everytime any surface his the kickboards, diving to the side at apparently nothing, refusing to go at the bottom end and running sidewards. I stayed as calm as possible, nearly came off 3 times she was that quick with her spooks, I sat it out for 45 minutes before deciding this really wasn't my idea of fun. Rather than improving, she got progressively worse. If I ignored the spooks, she continued doing them. If I rode through the spooks, she continued doing them. She was suddenly spooking a things she had been passed several times. It actually got completely ridiculous.

Eventually I settled for a walk around and then came in.
Decision made. This pony is not for me.

I have advertised her very honestly and hope I can find someone who doesn't mind working with something a bit sharp.

 

[tallyho!]

Life's too short. Good decision, well made.

 

[Pigeon]

Thanks all- I'm sort of bouncing between all 3 at the moment. I do believe I can overcome this with the pony given time, I've sorted out much worse, but I do wonder whether it will fester in the back of my mind for a long time to come and make me never truly trust her.

I do have someone who has offered to come out, she specialises in schooling nervy types and I have known her for over 20 years. She's more than happy to get on and give me an idea as to what she thinks, so I'm tempted to give that a whirl as I've just had surgery today so am likely out of action for a few days anyway.

Dad is very much of a 'move her on' mindset. Mums slightly more of a bunny hugger and would have me collect every single waif and stray if she could, but even she realises that I've had such awful luck with horses that I at least deserve to feel happy on whatever I'm riding.

Pony is a sweetie and, last night despite me being a bit worried, there were some actually stunning moments underneath me. Don't get me wrong, they were fleeting moments, but exciting none the less. She really could be very, very smart.

As for the loud noise thing, is there an app that I can download with noises on for when I start doing a bit of work on this?

If the Diva would walk a bit faster, I would hack her and lead the new one out around our farm a bit. But it would be like tying a Ferrari to a milk float (that's no disrespect to my diva, she is entirely perfect, but doesn't rush anywhere!)

I think it's a rare horse that wouldn't do the same under the circumstances. And she didn't really do anything wrong - it wasn't like she took the opportunity to buck you off or anything like that. She's probably unsettled by the move and it was bad timing with the gun incident. I would give her a month to settle in (you could just work her in hand in the mean time) and then re-evaluate.

 

[Pigeon]

Just saw your reply!! She'll hopefully find a gung ho teenager or something like that x

 

[GirlFriday]

Agree with both the above posts.

Really pleased you've made this decision. It doesn't sound (at all) like a unpleasant pony but also doesn't sound like you're (at all) well-matched at the moment. There might be times in your life when you would be but you aren't right now.

I hope you find someone lovely to bring her on and, although honesty is great, maybe get someone (more experienced than me) on her to help you word the ad to show her good points and that, whilst a little spooky (at entirely understandable things), she isn't in any way nasty or 'difficult' personality wise. She won't need a crazy stunt rider or anything just someone a little more confident than you are now but still kind.

 

[scats]

Agree with both the above posts.

Really pleased you've made this decision. It doesn't sound (at all) like a unpleasant pony but also doesn't sound like you're (at all) well-matched at the moment. There might be times in your life when you would be but you aren't right now.

I hope you find someone lovely to bring her on and, although honesty is great, maybe get someone (more experienced than me) on her to help you word the ad to show her good points and that, whilst a little spooky (at entirely understandable things), she isn't in any way nasty or 'difficult' personality wise. She won't need a crazy stunt rider or anything just someone a little more confident than you are now but still kind.

Yep, she's not at all dangerous I don't think. I don't have any concerns about bucking, bolting, rearing etc. I've advertised honestly, but hopefully in a way that doesn't make her sound awful, as she really isn't. I just want a nice home for her.

Me five years ago and I wouldn't have batted an eyelid. So if anyone knows anyone looking for a lovely little pony for not much money, send them my way.

 

[scats]

She went to her new home today. I will miss her as she was a lovely little pony, but just not for me right now.