Grumpy Pony?

[SarabiTheHedgehog]

There's a pony I am going to be hopefully part loaning soon, the only thing is he can be incredibly grumpy. When ridden he is fine, however he sometimes turns his hindquarters into the middle and tried to kick my instructor. That's what we call a 'Monty Moment.' He does them at least once every lesson. In the stable he will nip and try to do the same thing, swing his hindquarters around and kick. Although with me he has never, ever done such a thing. Something I have noticed is that he hates being stroked or touched, no one even dares put a rug on him. Instead, I just talk to him gently and do some trick training with him. Could this be a result of abuse? I'm just wondering if there is any way to overcome this, he is okay with me in the field, comes trotting straight up. My friend says he 'loves' me because he doesn't try and kick me aha!

He is ridden by very strong riders, they whip and kick him, which is unnecessary. All I do is a little nudge with my heel and he's off! Could this be why he seems to favour me? x

Does anyone else have the same problem, if so, why? x

Resolved

 

[be positive]

Is he a riding school pony? it sounds to me as if he is in pain or at least serious discomfort and that the people riding and handling him use violence to deal with him rather than looking for the reason behind his aggression, which in a way is a form of abuse, you are not really going to be in a position to make much difference, he may need a vet to look at him, a dentist to do his teeth, a saddler to check his saddle fits ok.
He probably responds well to you because you are gentle with him, it is a tricky one as in my view by paying to loan him you are allowing the owner to continue to make money out of what sounds like a very unhappy pony, that doesn't sit well with me but I do appreciate you are young and want to enjoy sharing a pony you have become fond of.

None of mine are grumpy unless they are unwell or injured in some way when they may show a different side to them, it is through experience you get to know when they try and tell you something, if the owner does not listen to subtle signs they pony will become more and more grumpy in it's efforts to get someone to listen.