Another naughty childs pony

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mustardsmum

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Hello everyone

We have recently taken on loan a 13hh New Forest pony, for my children to hack and do a bit of pony club on. She is 22 years old, and could be described as a 15hh on 11hh legs.... When we went to try her, she was very well behaved, forward going but nothing nasty. However, she has started being quite nappy on the road outside of home and will put her head up and basically run through the bit back to the field. She does not gallop off, or even really trot – she knows she doesn't have to because the kids can’t stop her. She came in a flash, with snaffle and daisy rein but on the advice of our instructor we put her into a kimblewick (with flash and daisy rein in place). I would add, she has had teeth done, back checked and new saddle fitted.


However, today she still got away from my son, and went between our parked car and the bank. Unfortunately, she slipped and though my son stayed on, he was really frightened (understandably). She would have continued had I not managed to grab her. My son jumped off and refused to get back on, so I did and my word, she is strong! She tried to do the same with me, but I managed (with difficulty) to turn her in several tight circles, and then I rode her up the road. Once we were going, she was absolutely perfectly well behaved and light in the hand. My instructor who was riding my five year old, suggested we should separate to see what happened, and the minute she lost sight of the other horse, she did the same thing again, trying to tank of up the bank with me. My instructor also rode her back outside the house and the pony did the same thing again, and she was shocked at just how strong the pony was.

Both my instructor and I think the pony should go back to its owners (who will happily take her back), but I just wondered whether anyone might have a suggestion (different bit combination etc) that might help. Instructor suggests a last ditch attempt with three ring gag and running martingale but I don't know. The sad thing is, in every other way this pony is perfect. She is absolutely trustworthy once out hacking, stands at the side of main roads quietly. My daughter is heartbroken, but I cannot stand by and watch then falling off. Whilst I can get on her (ok and look a bit silly, being 5ft 4 and she being 13hh) it is no good if they can’t hold her. I also worry that at the first pony club rally, she was strong and I did wonder then if my daughter was going to hold her. I think maybe I am answering my own question here – maybe I need confirmation that I am doing the right thing to let her go. Sadly the kids and I have had some lovely hacks together, but I just don’t know if we can overcome the small child vs. strong pony scenario

Thanks for any help.
 
Oh dear- no real help but as a mother of a child with a too much really pony I can very definitely sympathise. I have to say given the option I'd love to be able to return ours in a way! However he's not on loan and so we are persevering with the thought my daughter will be a better rider one day because of it. I think this is a make or break theory and only you know your child. Confidence is easily lost and hard to get back. My daughter has had to give up her dreams of winning rosettes for now in favour of trying to successfully hack! Good luck with whatever you decide
 
Hmmm.... difficult. It sounds as though you've discovered that she doesn't like being by herself?

TBH that is pretty normal in a horse/pony, no?

Problem is obviously that your kids aren't up building her confidence and you don;t want them at risk. Putting ever harsher bits in her mouth and strapping it shut with a flash isn't exactly great either though.

TBH in your situation I'd question whether you really want the kids riding. No pony is going to be 100% 100% of the time. They'll come off. And probably get scared. Probably a few times.

Can you do some work with her alone in hand with a supportive instructor (i.e. someone who will train her and you not just add more stuff)?

Or get a small older/more confident child to school?

There may be other options too.

But if none will work for you then I'd send back to owners before kids get hurt/put off and you ruin her mouth.
 
Tickles said:
Hmmm.... difficult. It sounds as though you've discovered that she doesn't like being by herself?

TBH that is pretty normal in a horse/pony, no?

Problem is obviously that your kids aren't up building her confidence and you don;t want them at risk. Putting ever harsher bits in her mouth and strapping it shut with a flash isn't exactly great either though.

TBH in your situation I'd question whether you really want the kids riding. No pony is going to be 100% 100% of the time. They'll come off. And probably get scared. Probably a few times.

Can you do some work with her alone in hand with a supportive instructor (i.e. someone who will train her and you not just add more stuff)?

Or get a small older/more confident child to school?

There may be other options too.

But if none will work for you then I'd send back to owners before kids get hurt/put off and you ruin her mouth.
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A kid's pony needs to be well-behaved with her charges. No ifs or buts. There are lots out there, so I'd send this one back and find one who suits your son :)

I think if it was an older jockey (9+) I'd be saying stick it out. But your little boy's just so young, he needs these years to be fun and easy and to be able to to camp and kick on and play silly games...
 
Lots of responses from the mothers of children so I'll be the one to share my opinion from the other side haha my fist pony was. 13.2 welsh pony who was an ex show jumper and without doubt at times grew devil horns when I was riding... I was only seven at the time and was bolted with and everything.. On numerous occasions we contemplated selling her.. But because of her living nature in the stable etc we stuck with it staying on lead rein for two years! Even though I was more than capable of riding alone the pony was far to strong for me to cope. I lost my confidence on numerous occasions but without a doubt I wouldn't be the rider I am now without her... They are the true teaching ponies!! I grew in strength because of her and we ended up as champion at riding clubs and cross country machines! I would Definately consider everything before getting rid as they are really very good ponies for teaching kids what really happens when riding hahaha
 
I'd ride her some more your self, at your height you will be fine and just see if you can ride her through it. You say you haven't had her long so it's not that uncommon for a horse to go a bit nappy in a new home. If she's suitable in every other way I think she might be worth the effort even if it means a few weeks not hacking with your son.
 
Please don't think I'm being rude, I'm trying to phrase it so it doesn't come across that way as I don't intend to be. But if a child is a good enough rider to be using kimblewicks, gags, running martingales etc they should be up to dealing with napping. (putting my personal dislike of flashes to one side, but those too). And I don't mean that to sound like an assassination of your kids ability at all, there's nothing wrong with them not being ready for a napping tank of a pony. But by the same token, also not ready to be using gadgets. Not just for ponies sake, but for their own progress & confidence. Whilst I'm all for challenging kids, pony sounds too much, imo you should let pony go back to owner & find something more suitable.
 
Send her back to her owner it is very easy to ruin a child's confidence and they need nurturing not frightening.
I have a very naughty pony but I would never let a child handle him I have had him broken to drive so he can be dealt with by adults having said that once he is caught he is a gem and a great pony if a little lazy he is just evil in the field. He loves a fuss and a lot of attention but is king of the field and picks on anyone who enters it unless you send him away confidently he will have a go at you. He has been the same since a foal and to be honest I have thought that I would PTS if I couldn't keep him in spite of him only being 7 as I would hate him to get pushed from pillar to post and maybe even get harsh handling in the hope they would be able to cure his bad behaviour. I love him to bits and it would break my heart but his welfare has to come first. I am not saying I am the only one to manage him but how many people want a small pony that picks kids up by the scruff of the neck and throws them out of the field.
 
Thanks for your replies, and TBH I agree with all!

Tickles, I do accept that my kids will come off - my son made a past time of falling off learning to jump but he always got back on, sometimes after tears, sometimes after laughter ;) But for me it’s because this is on the road as opposed to in the school - it’s more the elements I can’t control i.e some idiot driving their car fast through the village when she decides to turn and go off that could turn this situation into something horrible. I agree, that putting stronger bits is really has made no difference and I am not convinced this will solve anything – hence my question whether anyone has suggestions for anything else. As for being alone, she was kept alone previously, and will actually hack out alone once she has gone past the gate.... but confidence is interesting, I suppose I assume that as she is 22 and a “been there done it” sort, she would be fine. She was a PC pony/hunting pony previously. Her other field mate shouting continually is not helping either. As for schooling, I am prepared to give it a go, but not sure that when the kids get back on she might just revert. At 22 I wonder if re-schooling with change her? I would add, you really could park a small car between her front legs, she is a big pony and I think, she knows it!

poiuytrewq, your comments are a comfort, because unlike you, I do have the option to send her back but I do agree to some extent that sometimes riding things through makes them better riders. I wish you luck with your pony –sometimes not having the option makes things easier. If we had bought her, like you we would have to try and get through this. My daughter managed to get her up the road last week without her turning at all. But today’s nearly slipping under the car was frightening for my son, me and the instructor who has years of experience. There is the option of no pony club/shows for a while until they are big enough to ride our other (nicel behaved but sadly a bit to green at the mo) Forrester. But that might also mean no hacking until I am sure they can get down the road in one piece.

Lolo, thanks for your comments, my daughter is 9 and son is 11 – but he is a wisp of a boy (stands sideways and disappears!!). The five year old is my other young pony! (who has manners to die for!). My kids are just both small, though my daughter has a frightening amount of determination!

naid pollyanna, interesting comments and if I wasn’t a mum I would probably agree – I had a similar “naughty pony”. Just difficult when it’s your own kids!
 
Hi Op,

Out of interest have your children come out of a riding school? The only reason I ask is that there may be a conflict between what the children have been taught and how the pony is used to being ridden? All ponies try it on (mine included).

:)
 
No offence taken, thank you for your comments! I agree, I am not a fan of gadgets, I ride my five year old in a French link, cavesson noseband and nothing else. I think she has demonstrated that a stronger bit is not going to solve this problem, which is almost momentarily before we head of. The sad thing is she never does this other than in the one place just outside our home and being strong at Pony Club. Once we have got going, she is an angel. She canters behind beautifully and the kids have no problem stopping her. She goes past trains, tractors and will ride past a field of horses galloping round without so much as a second look. I think that's what makes it so hard :(
 
Nope, they have been taught by a friend who is an instructor and we have our own ponies. The last loan pony we had for several years, and sadly had to be retired this summer, hence the new pony.
 
Having read your reply, I think I know why. If pony was previously kept alone, but now has company that explains the napping. Pony is probably chuffed to bits at having friends again & is determined not to leave them again, hence the napping. Can you take fieldmate out with her for a week or so & see if the napping stops? I rather think once she realises she isn't getting left alone again she'll be fine. Especially as you say she's fab in other ways.
 
She has been with us since September, so not long. She is kept with a 24 year old TBXwelsh mare and they adore each other (not helpful), and our five year old who she hacks with. She was an orphan foal, and I know her full history. I am thinking of phoning her original owner (who is a PC DC) and who had her from a foal before my friend bought her for her daughter. So really, she had a good start and hence the reason I though she would be suitable for my kids.
 
The_angel_littlelegs: I think I can guarantee it would stop ;) Problem is, when she did go out with this mare, she is glued to her side! Unfortunately, our old mare has COPD and is being rested at the mo, so she has to go out with the youngster.
 
If the problem is only getting her out of the yard then can you take her out inhand, or longreining, for a few walks so she knows that she will come back to her friends. It might help with the seperation problems, it helped my horse and he will know hack out alone.
 
Fair enough, reminds me somewhat of daughters pony at first, so close to my oldie 24/7 I'm suprised she wasn't trod on. If you know the cause, rather than it being just a pony that has learnt it can haul small kids about, I'd probably give her another chance. Would your kids allow you to lead pony till you are past ponies danger spot? (or get them to walk on foot both for saving confidence dents & if they don't want to be seen in public on lr!)
 
Leading is an option, kids won't worry about that. My daughter will (I think) do anything if she can keep the pony. long reining is something I had not thought of as well.

Of now to have a sleepless night worrying about what to do! Thanks for everyone's replies :)
 
Hi,

It took my fella a good eight months to settle in his new home. He was kept in a quiet field with a four others then he was moved to a busy riding school/livery with fifty odd horses. He still has some settling to do - he's not seen a full year here yet.

As OP's have said perhaps it's just a case of taking it slowly over winter getting her settled - getting to know her new human companions - hopefully come the spring she'll settle and slow down.

:)
 
Sorry but i would send her back no qestion asked child comes first she messed about on the road thats a huge no no for child pony at 22 she knows all the trick of the trade if i was a mother she would be gone. sorry
 
Hi All

Thanks to everyone's comment on this thread, thought I would update you all on how we are getting along!

Decided that as pony is so lovely in so many other respects, that I would give her a bit more time - being mindful of how she can behave and always making sure that just outside the house I have someone handy in case she decides to have a moment of turning (in a slow but strong walk...) back to the field. However, so far (touches wood!) she has not. Have ridden her myself (much to the amusement of everyone I know...) and have taken the kimblewick off, put her in a french link fulmer and also taken off the flash. Put a running martingale - to stop the head going up, and put the daisy rein to one side unless she starts putting her head down and overall she seems much more comfortable. I have also schooled her, and so far, she has not napped at home since. Spoke to her first owner too, who confirmed she had a stubborn streak but nothing nasty and was sure she just needed reminding of her manners. So far, my daughter has had a number of lovely rides, and I am posting a link to youtube showing her in the school, if anyone is interested and wants to comment :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPx5qa5iJto

She shows a bit of the head going down and pulling after one of the jumps, but my daughter is learning to pull her up and be bossy back! I would add, when I rode her in the fulmer - I could stop her easily on one rein without her pulling. We will carry on with me schooling her regularly and hopefully she will settle and have lots of fun with Poppy.

Thanks again for all your comments, difficult with ponies and kids, want them to be safe and have fun at the end of the dat. However, I decided that after twelve weeks, it was unfair to write her off and there are many more positives than negatives.

Happy New Year to you all!
:)
 
mustardsmum said:
Hello everyone

We have recently taken on loan a 13hh New Forest pony, for my children to hack and do a bit of pony club on. She is 22 years old, and could be described as a 15hh on 11hh legs.... When we went to try her, she was very well behaved, forward going but nothing nasty. However, she has started being quite nappy on the road outside of home and will put her head up and basically run through the bit back to the field. She does not gallop off, or even really trot – she knows she doesn't have to because the kids can’t stop her. She came in a flash, with snaffle and daisy rein but on the advice of our instructor we put her into a kimblewick (with flash and daisy rein in place). I would add, she has had teeth done, back checked and new saddle fitted.


However, today she still got away from my son, and went between our parked car and the bank. Unfortunately, she slipped and though my son stayed on, he was really frightened (understandably). She would have continued had I not managed to grab her. My son jumped off and refused to get back on, so I did and my word, she is strong! She tried to do the same with me, but I managed (with difficulty) to turn her in several tight circles, and then I rode her up the road. Once we were going, she was absolutely perfectly well behaved and light in the hand. My instructor who was riding my five year old, suggested we should separate to see what happened, and the minute she lost sight of the other horse, she did the same thing again, trying to tank of up the bank with me. My instructor also rode her back outside the house and the pony did the same thing again, and she was shocked at just how strong the pony was.

Both my instructor and I think the pony should go back to its owners (who will happily take her back), but I just wondered whether anyone might have a suggestion (different bit combination etc) that might help. Instructor suggests a last ditch attempt with three ring gag and running martingale but I don't know. The sad thing is, in every other way this pony is perfect. She is absolutely trustworthy once out hacking, stands at the side of main roads quietly. My daughter is heartbroken, but I cannot stand by and watch then falling off. Whilst I can get on her (ok and look a bit silly, being 5ft 4 and she being 13hh) it is no good if they can’t hold her. I also worry that at the first pony club rally, she was strong and I did wonder then if my daughter was going to hold her. I think maybe I am answering my own question here – maybe I need confirmation that I am doing the right thing to let her go. Sadly the kids and I have had some lovely hacks together, but I just don’t know if we can overcome the small child vs. strong pony scenario

Thanks for any help.
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It's very hard but I think your children's safety has to come first. If I were you I'd be inclined to take the instructor's advice.
 
Well done.

Sometimes it just takes a little time for new ponies to settle in.

We had similar issues (our pony used to tank off as soon as it got into an open field!)

We persevered and pony is lovely.

My daughter was 8 when we got him as a first pony and her riding is so much better now (shes 10) because she had to cope with him. It probably took a good 6 months before I could trust him not to do anything silly with her. It took time and patience. My daughter had loads of fun with him as soon as he knew that she was boss!

We have just sold him to a friend who's daughter is 6 so he can work his magic again for another child and although he doesn't tank off anymore he started to test the child's ability to keep him in line.
 
Long rein her on her own past her issue points until they aren't an issue...
then you ride her past them alone until they aren't an issue..... once she knows she can't get away with it with you she might not bother trying it on with the kids.....
but if in doubt don't risk it. :) Hope it works out well......
 
The_angel_littlelegs said:
Please don't think I'm being rude, I'm trying to phrase it so it doesn't come across that way as I don't intend to be. But if a child is a good enough rider to be using kimblewicks, gags, running martingales etc they should be up to dealing with napping. (putting my personal dislike of flashes to one side, but those too). And I don't mean that to sound like an assassination of your kids ability at all, there's nothing wrong with them not being ready for a napping tank of a pony. But by the same token, also not ready to be using gadgets. Not just for ponies sake, but for their own progress & confidence. Whilst I'm all for challenging kids, pony sounds too much, imo you should let pony go back to owner & find something more suitable.
Click to expand...

This, exactly.

ETA - didn't see the update, nice to hear you're getting along better with the pony now & hope it works out for you :)
 
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