Gutted

claireross

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 December 2006
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333
ccjack.co.uk
Got a pony for my daughter to have on loan, but she is going to have to go back. She is nappy, which we knew, but what originally seemed just to be a little stroppyness turned nasty yesterday.

My friend is riding her whilst she settles in and last night she wouldn't stand still once mounted and starting backing up. My friend gave her a kick to move her forward and she reared vertically and then leapt through the air throwing her on the floor
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. I was convinced she was going to go over backwards with her, it was very scary. My poor daughter was watching and although she is very brave it did scare her.

I'm dreading telling the owner, but I just can't risk my daughters life trying to sort this out. I am experienced with horses and have had my boy from a 3yr old and he has never done anything dangerous. Am I wrong to assume this pony wont come good ?????
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Just feeling really guilty
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It may be to do with the settling period and a new rider perhaps being overly enthusiastic on a sensitive pony, and as with any horse, it may come good, but would you want your daughter to be the one to try to make it happen? If you've lost faith in it then it's better all round to take it back, otherwise you'll have your heart in your mouth every time she's in the saddle.
 
You will probably find with a hell of alot of time and effort the pony would come good, but at the end of the day you have got to think of the safety of your daughter.
Its natural to feel guilty though, but think of how guilty you would feel if, god forbid something went wrong while your daughter was on board!
x
 
Wouldn't fancy riding it, let alone a kid!

When you are young the joy of riding is jumping on a bombproof horse, it doing what you want, when you want, messing about with your friends in safelty, gaining confidence and having FUN!

A "project horse", getting something through a problem or bringing somthing on comes later in life when you are a confident, adult rider looking for a new challenge.
 
It does sound as if it needs a sensitive rider rather than a good kick. I think with gentle riding it would come good but it'd be the kind of horse that could only have one rider. If it was me I'd keep it, but then I like projects. Now that your daughter is scared of it then it will rub off when she tries to ride.

At the end of day, if the horse isn't suitable for what you want then you can send it back, I assume you have a contract with the owner....
 
In my experience you can work through these things but its takes a lot of time and effort.
However, I think once a napper, always a napper to some degree too.
Think you're right in sending her back. Not fun risking your daughter either physically or her riding confidence.
 
What a pity. As said in other posts I'm sure it could be worked through. But as its not your pony, and it would be your daughter you were putting on it, not yourself, I would send it back. Sounds harsh but its not your problem. Good luck.
 
May I suggest you get the pony checked out - back, teeth, saddle.

In my experience a lot of nappiness is pain related as is not standing still to be mounted.
 
Well i've contacted the owner and she was very understanding and the pony is going back next week.

Obvisiouly if this was my pony I would do all the usual checks, but I do believe its the pony being naughty as she can work really nicely once she's finished having her hissy fit.
 
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