Disaster visit to try out new pony!

We went to try a new pony a week ago - I had rung, chatted lots and emailed to find out as much info as I could regarding the safety and suitability of the pony for a young child. was absolutely assured the pony was 100% bombproof and would suit any child.
So we went to see it - watched it ridden etc first as always and then put my child on - walking was fine both reins and we managed some halt transitions. So decided it would be good to try some trot - As soon as the pony went into trot it beagn to get faster - I decided at this point that it would not be the pony for us and so told my child to go back to walk - As she asked for walk and to slow down it did the complete opposite and went up into canter - to start with it was slow but my child could not stop - She asked it to come back and I used my voice to try to slow it back - It proceeded to get faster and faster to the point of being dangerous - it really would not stop - took off round the arena with my 7yr old on board -
At this point I realised this was not going to have a grea ending and just wanted her to fall off asap to stop the situation!
At this point I asked the owners to do something to help - they had said nothing up to this point - not even a shocked reaction at what was going on! They still didn't really do anything - no talking to the pony or helping to corner it to stop it - nothing!

Eventually pony veered towards the fence and my daughter fell off - pony continued to canter off until the owners caught it.

I was shocked as to how unconcerned they were at what had happened and as soon as I calmed my child we left very quickly - since then I have heard nothing from them - even just to check my child was ok-she had some very obvious grazes and bruises and of course very shaken.

I would hate this to happen to any other child who went to see it - so felt compelled to write something -

It was a black pony in very Eastern England so please please beware if you go to see any! I am also emailing the owners to point out my concerns as the ad and conversations made this sound like a perfect pony and it obviously was not - I think, by the lack of reaction from them this is not he first time pony had done this! I could be wrong but.....

I still have a very shaken child but we will I am sure find our perfect pony eventually!

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Ouch, hope she is OK.

Were you walking next to the pony? Might be an idea to walk alongside until you are sure the brakes work in trot as well as walk before you allow her to ride on her own.

TBH there isn't really anything you can do to stop a pony on the run apart from yell at the child to sit up and hang on, its horrible that they weren't bothered at all though.
 
sounds almost like what hapened when we tried a pony at a dealers in the east midlands area. Was assured it was 100% bombproof. They said they would have their 9 yr old daughter ride it for me when I arrived.
Got there and the pony was in. Tail freshly washed etc, fine.. They then said their 9yo had 'disappeared' out with friends so would get their pre schooler to ride it on the LR (Was a lr pony anyway). Saw them walk, asked them to trot and woman said their child was too scared of trotting (which I stupidly believed). My child got on, walked, asked for trot and pony decided it was bronko time. My child went out the front door. Owner attempted to act shocked "oh! it's not done that before, maybe it tripped". The owner had told me it had been stuck in all week due to boggy fields, yet the other girl then told me it'd had to have it's tail washed ythat morning as it'd been out in the field 24/7 for the last few weeks.

I also witnessed another girl coming to try a 'first pony' (that they had advertised alongside the LR pony). They had an older girl bring it out and ride it first... it was walking behind the barn where the prospective buyers couldnt see, on it's hind legs! They STILL harped on about what a great forst pony it was.

I've also been to see first ponies which have bolted with their riders, one that was almost a cripple, and one that was a two year old... (advertised as an 8 year old)

I don't 'do' buying ponies.

I do know of a treasure of a first pony for sale, 12.2hh, fab bloodlines...
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I was selling a small pony who was a bit on the lively side and i was totally honest with everyone who enquired about her as i really didn't want any child to get hurt. Hope your daughters ok and that it hasn't put her off.
 
Glad your daughter is ok .

Thats the thing with me , I never take anything that anyone says at face value when it comes to buying a pony , I basically try the pony as if I had never seen or heard anything about it . Its not that I dont believe people .....Well I dont lol .

Dont be too naive when it comes to viewing ponies thats all I can say
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Good luck on finding a pony for your daughter x
 
When you go to look at a pony advrtised as a bombproof kids pony... Never believe what you are told, only believe what you see, and even then keep your wits about you. Have a look at the pony, does it look like it has just been hoyked out of the field, or does it look like it has just been ridden hard for an hour?

Tell them before you come that you want to see it ridden by its usual rider. Get them to ride it in the school and do everything they claim its capable of. You will be able to judge the standard and style of its usual rider.

Then see it ridden in a field.... this is when the truth often emerges.

Then, if they say it is good hacking alone, or in heavy trafic etc... see them do this!

See the child handle the pony, lead it, load it, groom it, pick up its feet.

Even if it takes a while, so be it. It is a lot of money to spend and the safety of your child is at stake.

When/if you come to have your child ride it, put the pony on a lunge.

All of this might take more than one visit.

If the seller can not or will not do the above... walk away!

One of my childhood friends was killed trying a pony.
 
My friend had the opposite in that a buyer came to try her pony and it was a disaster. This pony has never been allowed to canter as it is for ickle people! Friend is a bit of a worrier but they are her children so that is allowed in my book!! So buyer comes with the idea that this pony is for a 5 year old. Perfect! But she brings a 14 year old "expert" to try her out! 14 year old wants to canter and jump! 14 year old announces that pony has sweet itch! No Pony has rubbed its mane in one bit on the post and rail of the starvation paddock! 14 year old says 5 year old will get bored because the pony doesnt canter and jump! Add to that the riding ability of 14 year old....or lack of it....

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[ QUOTE ]
When you go to look at a pony advrtised as a bombproof kids pony... Never believe what you are told, only believe what you see, and even then keep your wits about you. Have a look at the pony, does it look like it has just been hoyked out of the field, or does it look like it has just been ridden hard for an hour?

Tell them before you come that you want to see it ridden by its usual rider. Get them to ride it in the school and do everything they claim its capable of. You will be able to judge the standard and style of its usual rider.

Then see it ridden in a field.... this is when the truth often emerges.

Then, if they say it is good hacking alone, or in heavy trafic etc... see them do this!

See the child handle the pony, lead it, load it, groom it, pick up its feet.

Even if it takes a while, so be it. It is a lot of money to spend and the safety of your child is at stake.

When/if you come to have your child ride it, put the pony on a lunge.

All of this might take more than one visit.

If the seller can not or will not do the above... walk away!

One of my childhood friends was killed trying a pony.

[/ QUOTE ]

Echo all this.

I do all this even when looking for a horse for me or Oh.

People tell lies when selling horses or ponies.
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Sad but true)
 
Do you know a small lightweight adult who can help out? I'm tiny and when my daughter was small and on ponies I used to try them and insist they stayed in walk and trot. If the pony is all spruced up ready for you ask to come back and let your child catch it up from the field and groom it herself. I used to leave our littleuns out until people arrived and explain why. Their trial run may have taken longer but at least they knew whether or not the pony had a chance of being suitable.

Always go back a second time before the final decision.
 
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