Companion pony dilema - what would you do

Magicmillbrook

Magicmillbrook

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I have 4 equines, 1 ridden, 1 semi retired, 1 old non ridden companion and a loan companions companion (dont ask). Loan companion is an escapologist (can jump a 5 bar gate), wasnt told this when I took her on but she has 'history'. I have managed this for the 2 years we have had her. This year we have moved and are on v limited grazing as a half has been reseeded. So for now we now have a winter trash paddock (bare already) and some treat grazing for dry days. We have enough hay and haylage in to be able to substitute all their forage.

Loan pony has discovered she can jump out of trash paddock and get into the barn and area were stables are currently being built, also has been grazing the lawn. Not realy an option to improve the fencing here until the stables are installed (hopefully just before christmas). Its only a matter of time before she realises she can jump from our lawn over the horse hating neighbours 3ft fence (wont let us change it) and get onto 3 acres of manicured lawn (I kid you not), and then possibly onto the road. Last night I didnt get to sleep until 3am because I was convinced I could hear her in the garde etc - you now how paranoid you get at night - I cant go on like that.

We dont realy have such a need for a companions companion now as my semi retired mare doesnt go out much with the ridden mare - 1 hour per week max, we used to go out to shows and long all day rides. Also we have moved from free draining land where we manged on 3 acres with all 4 living out 24/7 to clay soil which is a nightmare already.

Dilema - do I ;

1 Send companion pony back to welfare charity - feel guilty because they are full to capacity and i am rather fond of this pony - we dont realy need her and dont have the land.

2 As above but see if they can exchange her for a smaller non escapologist

3 Keep loan pony and put her in the 'treat' paddock - very high P&R fencing, she cant escape - not ideal because she is already overweight and it meant the others wont benefit from a treat.

Your thoughts greatfully received - sorry if I dont post back until this evening, I am posting in my lunch break.
 
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How about a ring of electric fencing about 3 or 4 feet inside the p&r? Not enough for her to fit a 'bounce' in, but wider than she could manage at that height. If she can jump p&r with a 3ft spread then get her a jockey!
 
glosgirl said:
How about a ring of electric fencing about 3 or 4 feet inside the p&r? Not enough for her to fit a 'bounce' in, but wider than she could manage at that height. If she can jump p&r with a 3ft spread then get her a jockey!
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Have tried this - it sometimes works but if she doesnt go over she will push through. The lure of food is greater than her fear of shock. She can jump - holy cow can she jump. She is supposed to be a non ridden companion due to issues with her hocks. Problem is i dont think she likes being a companion only! Dilemas dilemas.

Have parked the lorry in front of the the barn opening - lets see if the bugger will jump that - or perhaps she will get the keys and go through the cab - wouldnt put it past her the minx.
 
glosgirl said:
How about a ring of electric fencing about 3 or 4 feet inside the p&r? Not enough for her to fit a 'bounce' in, but wider than she could manage at that height. If she can jump p&r with a 3ft spread then get her a jockey!
Click to expand...

I was going to say that!

I bet your neighbours let you put a higher fence up when she visits them! Could you add chicken wire to the top of the existing fence - they could still see through it, but it would put horsey off!

You could put her in the treat field with a muzzle on perhaps. We had a lamanitic pony out on great grazing this summer with a muzzle on, and had no problems with laminitus...
 
I'd send her back, you were not told the truth about her, or they didn't know about her trick but she is causing you a big problem. At least you have the option to return her and know she would be safe, it's not as if you have to try to sell or loan her and at the moment there is always the chance she could hurt herself with her gymnastics.

It would be a nice thought to take on another rescue pony but do you really need one?

Could you offer to sponsor her at back the charity for a while to help with their finances?
 
Know how you feel lying awake thinking you can hear clippety clop as the little beggars escape!!!! I personally shut escapists in at night rather than risk them getting into our yard then heading off thru the garden and possibly hopping onto neighbouring fields if they can shove the gate open an inch!!! Have even had them cut thru stables to door connecting with house and merrily waltz thru back kitchen and open back door and away!!! Trouble is once these little so and sos have done it once they will always repeat partic if a bit peckish!!!! You say you have a barn ?? I would at least make a pen in there to put her in at night. alternatively i find that many will not go near a fence if it has the addition of electric fence once they know it is live!! Although I had one big Irish boy who would jump anything however high and electrified or not none of our ponies have ever been that competent. It may be worth running one strand along top of fence (just to trip her up!!!) and another in front of fence just to get her to investigate and discover it is on.
Alternatively i have found that all my escapees stick to the same bit of fence to jump or the same gate to open. If this is the case simply reinforce or elecrify her fav place although if she is clever she will soon discover another.

Hope you can tell we have vast experience of these little sods but dont get rid of her as it adds to the character . too many unwanted ponies at the moment try and find a way to keep her.
 
Don't feel guilty - send her back asap! They will have the fencing and means to deal with the problem and you won't be laying in bed awake every night worrying.

The equine charities might be choc-a-block, but the larger ones have millions in the bank, which I am guessing you don't :) If you don't believe me, look up their reserves on the Charities Commission website. It is quite staggering.

If it's a smaller charity and it is struggling, then by all means offer to have a smaller one in exchange. Otherwise just give her back and don't feel bad about it at all - you have done quite a bit already.
 
Years ago I knew a JA pony which would jump anything to get where she wanted to go. She was kept in the field in a headcollar attached by a thick chain to a tyre filled with cement. It allowed her to move around freely, & potentially trot, though it was too heavy to drag far. She couldn't have jumped tho. Not sure now whether I think it was a terrible idea or a great one, thought the pony was worth an absolute fortune so presumably some thought went onto the idea.
 
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