Gutted - really disappointing first day with new pony

[Moomin1]

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.

You STARTED riding - on a six year old, green as grass pony.

Kettle..pot. And nobody is advising that a novice goes on a young pony with ill fitting tack.....people are just saying to EXPLORE all possibilities before forking out a stupid amount of money when that may not be the issue! Oh and to repeat - the OP did not say her daughter is a novice, she said she is competent but has lost confidence!

Merry Crisis, in what way am I stupid? Elaborate!

 

[Spring Feather]

NeilM most people have advised the OP to get the owner out to ride the pony (and what's the betting the pony will ride perfectly for the owner!). Perhaps the owner has another saddle which would fit the pony better? Odd though if the pony is in the same saddle that it was in when the OP tried it out and everything went well then ... well actually not so odd at all. Personally I think riders who lose their confidence should not be described as competent or good riders, they may have been once upon a time but latterly often end up being more akin to being a novice so they need to be gently nutured to return to their former status, and in this case perhaps the pony is too much for this child at this time.

 

[Pocket_Rocket]

Sorry to hear you are having problems I would firstly get his saddle checked you can't expect him to behave if he's in discomfort. In the mean time I would lunge him yourself first then let your daughter lunge him providing it is safe to do so. This will help your daughter gain a bit of confidence in him and help them build a bond together aswell as letting him get used to his new surroundings. If not then just lunge him yourself.

Then once you do get a saddle that fits correctly I would let your daughter get on him but keep him on the lunge. Again this will help your daughter as she will feel safer and can get used to him not having to worry so much about control and your pony won't have the opportunity to nap for the gate.

When I bought my horse I lunged him a fair bit when I first got him whilst waiting to get a saddle and I feel it definately helped build a bond and for him to trust me. Also it'll give your pony an opportunity to get any bucking out of his system so he SHOULD be better to ride.

Good luck with him don't give up too easily they all behave differently in a new home. If you feel you aren't able to cope with the situation I would get an instructor out and get some hands on help and advice.

 

[NeilM]

Hold on a second.

Can we all please bear in mind that the pony has been on loan for less than a WEEK, and by the sounds of it he has been ridden almost every day.

If he is planting while being led, and then running back to the field he is not necessarily 'taking the piss' as is so often said, it could be that he is expressing his wish not to be ridden again.

I don't know about the rest of you (with obvious exceptions) but my first concern is for the welfare of the pony, the tack and rider come a very distant second in comparison.

 

[Moomin1]

How low can you actually go to call a 12 year old girl you have never met a fool and slag her riding skills off?!! Bully

 

[Bikerchickone]

Had similar problems with my daughter's pony, had saddler out, bought new saddle still had same problems, because the pony had been ridden by previous owner's children in badly fitting saddle the pony's back was very sore. We had a qualified equine osteopath come out and treat the pony several times and the problem was resolved. Pony still needed to be seen every three months after though because of the damage done. I'd suggest getting an osteopath out as well as the saddler. A good osteo will be able to tell you if the horse is suffering because of the saddle as well as the saddler can and may even be able to fix a problem not caused by the saddle too. My osteo if absolutely fantastic and I rely on her more than I ever do the vets!

 

[Spring Feather]

It does slightly worry me that the person who has sold/loaned this pony to the OP might read all this bullshit. The most perfect pony is only as good as the jockey that rides it. Fools make the most perfect pony look unmanageable.

Maybe your tongue is sharp but I very much agree with you.

 

[NeilM]

Personally I think riders who lose their confidence should not be described as competent or good riders, they may have been once upon a time but latterly often end up being more akin to being a novice so they need to be gently nutured to return to their former status, and in this case perhaps the pony is too much for this child at this time.

Well said, I could not agree more.

 

[DragonSlayer]

Had similar problems with my daughter's pony, had saddler out, bought new saddle still had same problems, because the pony had been ridden by previous owner's children in badly fitting saddle the pony's back was very sore. We had a qualified equine osteopath come out and treat the pony several times and the problem was resolved. Pony still needed to be seen every three months after though because of the damage done. I'd suggest getting an osteopath out as well as the saddler. A good osteo will be able to tell you if the horse is suffering because of the saddle as well as the saddler can and may even be able to fix a problem not caused by the saddle too. My osteo if absolutely fantastic and I rely on her more than I ever do the vets!

Good advice. A good osteo is worth their weight in gold! Often as you say, the damage has been done and even changing the tack might just be the start.

 

[be positive]

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?

Yes I was going to say this, it is often the case that younger ponies are loaned out as they have proved difficult to sell due to age and lack of experience.
Owners sometimes feel that loaning is a way of getting "miles on the clock" when they do not have a young rider to do the PC activities required to get a record with the pony. It could be a really good pony that is suited to a nervous child, and I hope it proves to be, we do not know the whole story in this case from either side, just a report of what happened today.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Moomin1, Bully pot calling kettle black and Merry Crisis is right any fool what every age can make a good horse look bad, but that's not the point lady has only had pony for a week, said daughter very nervous of riding, me if she was my daughter I'd be buying her riding lessons in a group, so she could build her confidence up, and personally I wouldn't be riding out on my own on a pony/horse I didn't know, within a week.

 

[FionaM12]

Personally I think riders who lose their confidence should not be described as competent or good riders, they may have been once upon a time but latterly often end up being more akin to being a novice

Sadly you describe me there. Anyone who sees me ride now would have difficulty believing I was once a decent rider. Many years out of riding, age, unfitness and above all loss of confidence have made me very much a novice.

 

[NeilM]

You STARTED riding - on a six year old, green as grass pony.

Kettle..pot.

Sorry, I don't understand.

I am a full grown adult and had enough confidence not to be 'freaked out' by the occasional fly buck. It has to be said I also had a full time instructor with 40 years experience on tap at all times (my OH).

I have said nothing about the rider, or her confidence, or her ability, because frankly her welfare is her mothers responsibility, not mine. I am actually not that concerned with the original post, other than the issue of tack. I am more concerned with some of the advise given by others.

As for blunt relies; you should meet my OH's instructor (now in her 70's). Merry Crisis is a pussy cat by comparison.

 

[Moomin1]

Moomin1, Bully pot calling kettle black and Merry Crisis is right any fool what every age can make a good horse look bad, but that's not the point lady has only had pony for a week, said daughter very nervous of riding, me if she was my daughter I'd be buying her riding lessons in a group, so she could build her confidence up, and personally I wouldn't be riding out on my own on a pony/horse I didn't know, within a week.

I'm a bully because I dare to stand up to someone who is rude and who many people think so? OK...

 

[Merry Crisis]

NeilM most people have advised the OP to get the owner out to ride the pony (and what's the betting the pony will ride perfectly for the owner!). Perhaps the owner has another saddle which would fit the pony better? Odd though if the pony is in the same saddle that it was in when the OP tried it out and everything went well then ... well actually not so odd at all. Personally I think riders who lose their confidence should not be described as competent or good riders, they may have been once upon a time but latterly often end up being more akin to being a novice so they need to be gently nutured to return to their former status, and in this case perhaps the pony is too much for this child at this time.

I am now so agreeing with you, a nervous rider is certainly NOT competant, ponies/horses pick up on the insecurity of a rider very quickly. Yes the pony is not daft and I would look at the rider before I looked much further. Having said that a well fitting saddle does help.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Moomin1 and your not??

 

[Merry Crisis]

I'm a bully because I dare to stand up to someone who is rude and who many people think so? OK...

I am not rude, I just speak my mind. I am usually right aswell!

 

[Echo Bravo]

DOH!!!! Did I not say in my first reply that the pony maybe picking up the nerves from the rider and got shot down by several people, there goes my 40 odd years experience, Merry Crisis let us both bow out on this post, before we say something that will get us banned

 

[FionaM12]

Something which has been playing on my mind:

If the saddle was provided by the owner as part of the deal, doesn't it seem a bit strange to later say it's too narrow for the pony?

Would you loan out your pony in a saddle which you knew was too narrow?

 

[Merry Crisis]

DOH!!!! Did I not say in my first reply that the pony maybe picking up the nerves from the rider and got shot down by several people, there goes my 40 odd years experience, Merry Crisis let us both bow out on this post, before we say something that will get us banned

Ok. EB, I think we should!!!

 

[Echo Bravo]

Could be pony not in work for awhile and put on weight? just a thought

 

[Merry Crisis]

Could be pony not in work for awhile and put on weight? just a thought

Thought we were going to bow out!

 

[Moomin1]

Echo Bravo,

if you read back to my first post after you said that it could be nerves and that she shouldn't hack alone, you may find that I fully agreed with you, so who shot you down?!!!

 

[Moomin1]

Also I was merely commenting that Merry Crisis was rude in her response and that there is no need for it - there are diplomatic ways to put your point across without being hurtful. When someone dishes out they should expect to take back which is why I made the point that I think some of Merry Crisis' responses were obnoxious.

I fully agree that a nervous novice should not necessarily be put on a green 6year old. But we don't know the full facts or what the girl's riding is! There could be a million and one reasons for what is happening - and my simple guess is that it's purely a new match of horse and rider - and a little bit of nerves thrown in that is the problem. It may be the saddle, it may not. These are not things which are insurmountable or things which mean the girl shouldn't have the pony! Given time, lessons and effort no doubt they may end up a great team!

 

[Merry Crisis]

Also I was merely commenting that Merry Crisis was rude in her response and that there is no need for it - there are diplomatic ways to put your point across without being hurtful. When someone dishes out they should expect to take back which is why I made the point that I think some of Merry Crisis' responses were obnoxious.

I fully agree that a nervous novice should not necessarily be put on a green 6year old. But we don't know the full facts or what the girl's riding is! There could be a million and one reasons for what is happening - and my simple guess is that it's purely a new match of horse and rider - and a little bit of nerves thrown in that is the problem. It may be the saddle, it may not. These are not things which are insurmountable or things which mean the girl shouldn't have the pony! Given time, lessons and effort no doubt they may end up a great team!

Oh Moomin, get over yourself!

 

[Moomin1]

No I'm ok thanks Merry Crisis!

Oh, and I'm still waiting to find out in what way I'm stupid?!!

Strikes me there are people on here that are thick as thieves!!

 

[FionaM12]

I am not rude, I just speak my mind. I am usually right aswell!

Modest too.

 

[Paddy Irish]

Also I was merely commenting that Merry Crisis was rude in her response and that there is no need for it - there are diplomatic ways to put your point across without being hurtful. When someone dishes out they should expect to take back which is why I made the point that I think some of Merry Crisis' responses were obnoxious.

I fully agree that a nervous novice should not necessarily be put on a green 6year old. But we don't know the full facts or what the girl's riding is! There could be a million and one reasons for what is happening - and my simple guess is that it's purely a new match of horse and rider - and a little bit of nerves thrown in that is the problem. It may be the saddle, it may not. These are not things which are insurmountable or things which mean the girl shouldn't have the pony! Given time, lessons and effort no doubt they may end up a great team!

Although the pony is only 6 (and lets face it some 6yr olds have done everything , some a lot lot less and age is not a measure of experience either way ) I think the OP stated that the pony was leased to her as a perfect first pony for a nervous rider , so i can understand her disapointment.
OP i would go with the most helpful points of saddle check - instructor and lessons - hey it's too soon to call time on this , just take one day at a time.

 

[Moomin1]

Although the pony is only 6 (and lets face it some 6yr olds have done everything , some a lot lot less and age is not a measure of experience either way ) I think the OP stated that the pony was leased to her as a perfect first pony for a nervous rider , so i can understand her disapointment.
OP i would go with the most helpful points of saddle check - instructor and lessons - hey it's too soon to call time on this , just take one day at a time.

Well said!!!

 

[FionaM12]

Strikes me there are people on here that are thick as thieves!!

I'm not sure what that means? There are people here who (in a virtual sense) have got to know each other quite well, and some who do in "real life". I don't know that that matters does it?