Gutted - really disappointing first day with new pony

[DragonSlayer]

Ponies are not machines, they have to have confidence from the rider, I dont think your pony is getting the help he needs. If you cant afford a saddle that fits him, perhaps ballet lessons would be more suitable for your child.

The OP did not say she could not afford to buy, just doesn't want to pay out if the pony is not suitable.

Ballet shoes are not needed quite yet.....

 

[DragonSlayer]

They soon will be! So pony not happy in the saddle it has at the moment, the pony is unsuitable in a saddle that doesnt fit it. For fecks sake tell me how they will ever fecking know if the pony is the saint that they want if they are not prepared to get a saddle that fits the fecker!!! I do so apologise for my small rant.

Do we know the whole story? No.

The owner said it MAYBE the tack. Wrong of the owner to not say anything in the first place. We aren't all saddle fitters, it's hoped that we can mostly see if ours develop a problem, but if the OP is completely unaware, of course she wants to consider all options.

The OP asked for help, not for us 'experts' to look down in disdain because god-forbid she MIGHT not know what she is doing...

 

[NeilM]

The OP did not say she could not afford to buy, just doesn't want to pay out if the pony is not suitable.

Ballet shoes are not needed quite yet.....

My mum used to make me keep my football boots, even after I had grown out of them, as she did not want to have to pay for new ones, because I was so rubbish at football.

Didn't make the blisters on my feet go down any quicker though.

You are all being very understanding of the OP, but please stop and re-read what you are posting.

The saddle does not fit. It is too narrow. Would you ride your horse in a tight saddle? And if you did, how would they go?

Before you answer that, just consider that this is a six year old pony, who has been at a new yard for less than a week.

 

[YasandCrystal]

Riding lessons from a good instructor - quick, before your daughter loses confidence. (from experience)
You could also ask the owner to come and show how to do it, she'll know how far he can be pushed and may be able to tell if it's the saddle or naughtiness.

^^ This

 

[mulledwhine]

How has this turned into a slagging match ??

 

[Echo Bravo]

Yey another sensible answer. Thank you Neilm for once somebody has put the pony first.

 

[Cheryl&Donny]

Personally I would say that a 6 yro is too young for a novice to handle, no matter how sensitive a rider she is. If she is unconfident then a youngster isn't a good choice, as it'll feel her nerves and it'll unsettle him.
But if you're sure he will turn out okay, then I recommend getting a confident rider on him till he settles fully and get someone to come give her lessons on him

 

[dressagelove]

How about going back to basics OP and get your daughter to go old school monty robs style and jump on bareback. Maybe also on the lunge for added support. Just start in walk to begin with, basic transitions etc. Might help her build a relationship with the pony, and eliminates the saddle from the equation for a while...

Merry Crisis never appears to make any helpful comments in any threads they reply to I have noticed...

 

[FionaM12]

Ponies are not machines, they have to have confidence from the rider, I dont think your pony is getting the help he needs. If you cant afford a saddle that fits him, perhaps ballet lessons would be more suitable for your child.

Merry Crisis, you sleigh me!

I used to find many of your posts rude and harsh, but I've come to enjoy them. This one made me chuckle.

I do think what you say in this case is right, but the ballet bit's a bit extreme.

Funny though.

 

[Moomin1]

God I thought she was younger than twelve. Your above post tells me everthing. Never apologise and dont explain. You have had the pony for a fecking day! I shall say no more.

Forgive me for clearly not having the 'knowledge and experience' that you have, but this makes no sense whatsoever to me?!

Merry Crisis you are obnoxious in your manner and clearly one of these people who thinks they were born with all the knowledge and expertise there are to have. There is no harm in offering advice and constructive criticism to help people out, but there is absolutely no need to be rude as you are to people.

 

[Merry Crisis]

Yey another sensible answer. Thank you Neilm for once somebody has put the pony first.

He is a very sensible bloke, EB.

 

[dressagelove]

How has this turned into a slagging match ??

It develops into a slanging match, because as usual someone puts an uncalled for, unnecessary and stupid post which people take offence to!

 

[FionaM12]

It develops into a slanging match, because as usual someone puts an uncalled for, unnecessary and stupid post which people take offence to!

Livens things up a bit though, doesn't it?

 

[DragonSlayer]

My mum used to make me keep my football boots, even after I had grown out of them, as she did not want to have to pay for new ones, because I was so rubbish at football.

Didn't make the blisters on my feet go down any quicker though.

You are all being very understanding of the OP, but please stop and re-read what you are posting.

The saddle does not fit. It is too narrow. Would you ride your horse in a tight saddle? And if you did, how would they go?

Before you answer that, just consider that this is a six year old pony, who has been at a new yard for less than a week.

I have no need to re-read what I am posting, I am very aware of what I say.

The OP has said she has been informed IT MAYBE THE SADDLE as it is too narrow. Don't you think we should be wondering why the owner never got it sorted...? The OP has not said she won't pay, she is getting the owner to come out to see the pony, then I am sure she will explore alternatives such as checking the saddle. If she wasn't bothered, I doubt she would have posted concerns.

There are ways of posting answers to questions, my reply to the one I did....was because as is often the case, people are very quick to jump in and condemn, without knowing the full facts.

IF the OP won't do anything about it, then shame on her, but she asked for other possible problems, and it seems difficult on this forum for some people to give information without condemnation.

 

[Ibblebibble]

we bought my daughter a new pony this year, she's a tiny 10 yr old and rather nervous but totally competant, for the first few rides i had her on a lead rein just to let her get a feel for the pony, to me riding a new pony/horse is rather like getting in a new car, you're not quite sure where all the buttons are and sometimes put the windscreen wipers on instead of the indicators

I would agree with getting the saddle checked , and also perhaps do some inhand walks with pony to get him used to his new home, have you lunged him at all? would it make your daughter feel better if she was on the lunge to start with ( bit more 'grown up' then lead rein ) always seems to give my daughter a bit more confidence

 

[DragonSlayer]

It develops into a slanging match, because as usual someone puts an uncalled for, unnecessary and stupid post which people take offence to!

There is an art to diplomacy, not all people have it....

 

[FionaM12]

Merry Crisis never appears to make any helpful comments in any threads they reply to I have noticed...

I don't agree. She has an abrasive style but often makes very valid points. Just delivered in a somewhat direct fashion.

I've been the recipient of MC's sharp remarks and although I bridled (excuse pun) a bit, I could see the sense in them.

 

[Moomin1]

we bought my daughter a new pony this year, she's a tiny 10 yr old and rather nervous but totally competant, for the first few rides i had her on a lead rein just to let her get a feel for the pony, to me riding a new pony/horse is rather like getting in a new car, you're not quite sure where all the buttons are and sometimes put the windscreen wipers on instead of the indicators

I would agree with getting the saddle checked , and also perhaps do some inhand walks with pony to get him used to his new home, have you lunged him at all? would it make your daughter feel better if she was on the lunge to start with ( bit more 'grown up' then lead rein ) always seems to give my daughter a bit more confidence

Very well put by someone who sounds well adjusted and decent!

 

[Merry Crisis]

Forgive me for clearly not having the 'knowledge and experience' that you have, but this makes no sense whatsoever to me?!

Merry Crisis you are obnoxious in your manner and clearly one of these people who thinks they were born with all the knowledge and expertise there are to have. There is no harm in offering advice and constructive criticism to help people out, but there is absolutely no need to be rude as you are to people.

Moomin1, I might be obnoxious, but you seem to be stupid. I have every right to post an opinion on this forum as the next man.

 

[NeilM]

He is a very sensible bloke, EB.

I can't be that sensible, I started riding at the age of 49...on a six year old, green as grass, New Forest pony

Still ride him as often as possible, and yes, he used to fly buck breaking into a canter, and yes, I used to end up base over apex, a lot.

I'm afraid if people are looking only for sympathy, an open forum is not the place to post.

And I still say that those of you condoning putting a novice on a young pony, in ill fitting tack, are offering appallingly poor and unsafe advise.

 

[smiggy]

It may liven things up a bit but surely detracts from this forum being a useful resource where people can come with genuine concerns and try and get some constructive advice.
whatever one may thing about the pony and the saddle, rude comments about the competency of a child you have never met are completely uncalled for.
The op was given pony and tack and has concerns over whether it is the basic nature,level of schooling of the pony that is a problem or the saddle. Surely that is a reasonably appropriate question to ask before spending a large sum of money on a saddle for a pony that doesn't belong to you and may still end up being unsuitable and have to be returned.
Just to also play devils avocate, no one has actually seen the saddle on the pony. Saddle may in fact be a perfect fit and the "narrowness" may be an excuse on the part of the loaner for the ponies behaviour?
I'm sure the op will get an opinion from a saddle fitter, and some lessons for the child,and hopefully we will get a happy ending without having to resort to ballet !

 

[dressagelove]

I don't agree. She has an abrasive style but often makes very valid points. Just delivered in a somewhat direct fashion.

I've been the recipient of MC's sharp remarks and although I bridled (excuse pun) a bit, I could see the sense in them.

She obviously has experience, and undoubtedly knowledge, but the way she (assuming a she?!) puts them across is indeed sharp and can appear quite nasty. Such is the diversity of people, the world would be boring without it and indeed I can relate to how stupid people can be, and I get frustrated, but I would never be as 'blunt' as MC is

 

[DragonSlayer]

I can't be that sensible, I started riding at the age of 49...on a six year old, green as grass, New Forest pony

Still ride him as often as possible, and yes, he used to fly buck breaking into a canter, and yes, I used to end up base over apex, a lot.

I'm afraid if people are looking only for sympathy, an open forum is not the place to post.

And I still say that those of you condoning putting a novice on a young pony, in ill fitting tack, are offering appallingly poor and unsafe advise.

Who is condoning? People are trying to offer advice.

...but why offer sarcastic comments like the ballet shoes?

Not much help is it?

Something along the lines of '...sounds like it could be the saddle, it would be wise to get that checked out first'....would be a good idea, right? The more people that suggest that, the more the person asking the question could be swayed to that suggestion.

'Being blunt' might be OK in some peoples books, but for someone desperately trying to do their best can be gut-wrenching. 'Shock tactics' are not always the way forward.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Ye Gods! So those of us that don't agree with Moomin, are disgusting etc:- As Merry Crisis has said we all have a right to our own opinions, we may not all agree with some of the posts but they have the right to state what they think.

 

[FionaM12]

I am happy to buy new tack IF i know this is the problem - can'ta fford to spend money on a new saddle for him if he is still so difficult.

Personally I think this is fair. Saddles are very expensive and as he's only on loan, it would seem unreasonable to be expected to spend so much before you've even got through a probationary period! Is there any way the owner could lend you another saddle, or could you borrow one else where? Properly fitted by a fitter, obviously.

 

[be positive]

The OP has taken a pony on loan, it was provided with a saddle that only now, after the problem has arisen, the owner has admitted may be unsuitable.

This is not the fault of the OP she has taken on a pony that the owner has said will be suitable for a nervous child,it is only 6 and likely to still need a lot of education.

The child needs to have lessons to build up confidence but possibly a 6 year old pony is not the right one to do this with as it will need its own confidence to be helped also.
Get the saddle checked, teeth and back would be a good idea as well. Have your instructor in for some help and advice, but be prepared to send the pony back to its owner if it does not settle over a sensible period of time.

 

[FionaM12]

She obviously has experience, and undoubtedly knowledge, but the way she (assuming a she?!) puts them across is indeed sharp and can appear quite nasty. Such is the diversity of people, the world would be boring without it and indeed I can relate to how stupid people can be, and I get frustrated, but I would never be as 'blunt' as MC is

Me neither. Just pointing out she does seem to have quite a lot of knowledge, if not tact and manners.

 

[Moomin1]

I don't agree. She has an abrasive style but often makes very valid points. Just delivered in a somewhat direct fashion.

I've been the recipient of MC's sharp remarks and although I bridled (excuse pun) a bit, I could see the sense in them.

Fiona,

She may make valid points but what use are they when they are delivered in such a nasty and insulting way. Her first comment came across in a snobby way, suggesting that if someone doesn't have the money to buy a new saddle immediately in order to figure out whether that is causing the problem then they shouldn't have a horse!! If she never had the money AGAIN to buy one and she carried on riding it in that saddle, fine. My point is that you'd have to be completely stupid to immediately run out and buy a new saddle without exploring further reasons as to why this pony is behaving the way it is. I think OP is possibly saying that she is worried that this pony has been misadvertised and could be completely unsuitable in it's nature for her daughter - and if that's the case then who the hell would want to fork out for a new saddle?!! My course of action would be to let the owner come down and ride the pony see how it behaves, get a saddle fitter out, find out a bit more about when the pony last had teeth done etc etc, and ask around locally to see how this pony normally behaves.
I agree that most 6 year olds would not be suitable for a NOVICE rider. The OP does not say that she is a novice rider, she says she's competent but has lost confidence after a nasty xc fall. There are many 6year old horses out there that are calmer and more confidence giving than my 10yr old who I would certainly not class as a confidence giver! Age doesn't necessarily mean they are or aren't a confidence giver, it just means that they might not have done as much and may still be a bit green!

 

[FionaM12]

My point is that you'd have to be completely stupid to immediately run out and buy a new saddle without exploring further reasons as to why this pony is behaving the way it is. I think OP is possibly saying that she is worried that this pony has been misadvertised and could be completely unsuitable in it's nature for her daughter - and if that's the case then who the hell would want to fork out for a new saddle?!!

I made that point myself a few posts back.

 

[FionaM12]

Get the saddle checked, teeth and back would be a good idea as well. Have your instructor in for some help and advice, but be prepared to send the pony back to its owner if it does not settle over a sensible period of time.

I think I'd be asking the owner to contribute to the expense of these checks. It sounds like the pony may not be "as described" and is it fair for the OP to fork out lots of money, when she may, as you say, have to send it back?