Hardest decision, think might have to have healthy pony PTS :(

Everyones got a story of how they had X checked and all appeared fine, then they got a second opinion and it turns out that it wasn't fine after all and horse suffered with a Y.

So I would definitely (before you end this ponies life) check everything again. Also, why not also get a professional out (such as Michael Peace) and get their opinion on the matter, as they deal with these problems day in and day out and might be able to hit the nail on the head.

Personally for me, anything is worth a go.



x
 
Sorry, come in on the end and not sure if this has been suggested, but could you not get him loaned out as an unridable companion, if he has manners on the ground but just bolts under saddle? just an idea.
 
I am not going to insult you by suggesting every avenue you have been down - eg - teeth, back a million times...blah blah blah...

You are being very sensible in this. You can't risk the pony going elsewhere as at some point someone COULD try to ride him again....

A hard choice, but I feel the right one.

Chin up! You have done your best, sometimes nature just takes over and defeats us....
 
Yeah, I liked the driving suggestion too :-D

It's not like driving horses have to be super-safe or anything...

Anyway, eye problem was just a suggestion which you have no doubt already looked into. Even if a problem was discovered, it wouldn't give you a solution, just the possibility of working around it.

Anyway, I wish you all the best, PTS may be the best option, but I feel for you.
 
spidge said:
Could the pony possibly be suitable for carriage driving, more so if used in tandem?
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To the fatuous all knowing people who have derided this, you may have misunderstood the punctuation and the phrasing. It was put as a question, not a suggestion. If the answer is no, then a simple no would have sufficed.
 
Splidge. Thanks for that. I'm not in the habit of deriding anyone. I was using humour to make a serious point - in case anyone reading the thread suddenly thought "What a great idea, I'll break my serial bolter to harness!"

Oh, and I'm not a "fatuous, all-knowing" person either. That's an oxymoron. I think what you meant was "fatuous, but with an awareness of her own omniscience". Hope that helps :D
 
hi, my sister bought a pony from a dealer.she is approx 12 hands.after a few weeks she started to bolt,including twice at least at the pony club,the club asked her not to bring her back.a few people including myself said to get rid of her as she was dangerous.my mum advised to start training her with a treat,sweet etc.asking her to stop with a certain command,ie woa, whilst mounted and then give a reward.this could also be done whilst on the lunge.this little mare learned this very quickly.my sister has now owned her for approx 4 years,in this time my neice won best individual at the scottish horse of year show with her for her age group.she is also now used for pony trecking carrying all levels of children and behaves immpecably.i wish you all the best.
 
Bolting is about as dangerous at it gets. Put a child into that equation, and YOU could end up in a huge regretable mess.
Don't risk it. Don't even think about risking it. Either pony goes to heaven or lives out in a field as a companion as long as companion home realise how dangerous it is and is not attempted to ride the pony.
If you have the pony now, can you not make the decison or does the 'owner' want to be involved?
If the pony is on loan to you, are you not responsible for its welfare, and therefore have the right to choose what happens to the pony? (in the same sense that if it broke its leg, you would get it pts without getting owners concent first?)
 
lavery834 said:
hi, my sister bought a pony from a dealer.she is approx 12 hands.after a few weeks she started to bolt,including twice at least at the pony club,the club asked her not to bring her back.a few people including myself said to get rid of her as she was dangerous.my mum advised to start training her with a treat,sweet etc.asking her to stop with a certain command,ie woa, whilst mounted and then give a reward.this could also be done whilst on the lunge.this little mare learned this very quickly.my sister has now owned her for approx 4 years,in this time my neice won best individual at the scottish horse of year show with her for her age group.she is also now used for pony trecking carrying all levels of children and behaves immpecably.i wish you all the best.
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To be honest, the pony you describe above doesn't sound like a proper 'bolter', more a pony taking the mickey and tanking off, which can be cured as you described above with sensible schooling. A true 'bolter', however, just runs and runs in a blind panic with no thought of safety for itself, let alone it's rider.
 
I personally think the last thing this pony needs is a "ballsy rider". In this situation I would admit defeat and look for someone else to re-school this pony. Take it back to basics and start again.
I have bought many horses/ponies as un-ridable and through time, patience and knowledge they have come round. For some of them it might take 6 months to a year of groundwork before I even think of getting on them.
I also re-habilitate dogs that are due to be pts due to having owners that for whatever reason couldn't cope.
I agree with the lady that suggested you call around and try to find a place that you trust that might take this pony on. Alternately there are charities out there that take companion horses.
 
Yes, but those welfare organisations are currently overflowing with healthy horses without behavioural problems that they are struggling to rehome.

I think that's why that doesn't feature in the OP's list of options, sad as it is.
 
The pony is nervous on the ground and wont be caught in the field,and therefore is hard to work with.

If I said he would jump a jump three times, then duck out at the fourth for no reason like he had never seen it before and run off - I dont really know what to say other than it is a tough one?
 
This doesn't sound like a novice, numpty home with a rebellious pony taking advantage of the situation.

It sounds like a deep seated problem with the pony - possibly a tumour, possibly a behavioural thing.

Either way, it's a situation that can't continue. I have known a few bolters - one small pony flat out bolted in panic at high pitched noises (think high pitched child screaming) - it was sacked from the riding school immediately the problem was realised and sold to a very knowledgable home where they knew his problem & could cope.

Another larger horse was a little more unpredictable the owners tried a few things, but he was PTS after bolting across a road and killing a motorcyclist.

Bolting is THE most dangerous thing a horse can do. If you can't find the cause it's safer and kinder to PTS.
 
When I worked in a tack shop and it was quiet I used to read the equi-ads. There was a lady who used (and who may still) to write articles for it who did a lot of work with horses that were dangerous. Unfortunately her name completely slips my mind right now, but if the owners are willing I'm sure people on here could help you find someone who may be able to help.

But at the same time, there's always the underlying worry the pony might do it again with a small child, given it's height. You would be responsible in suggesting the owners pts. It's a difficult decision, but may be the best for all concerned :(
 
I'd be giving it back to the owners tbh....their responsabilty at the end of the day and this decision of all shouldn't be forced onto your shoulders. If I couldn't keep it myself as an ornament, then it would be on a trailer back to it's owners.
 
People cannot sell good, well behaved animals at the moment, the market is flooded with horses and ponies. This is not the time for animals with problems to be moved on, at all IMO. There is only one answer to this, pts as soon as possible.
 
without wishing to sound rude, as I don't know you or the child that was riding the pony, what level of rider would you put yourselves at? Would the child be able to stay balanced when the pony gets nervous? would you say you were big on the pony or the right sized? The reason for asking is that we have had a few like this and we have managed to work through it with them. What we found was happening was that the horse/pony would worry about something, go to bolt ( and yes, proper bolting) and the rider would loose their balance, which would panic the pony more, the rider would then fall off and the pony would be terrified casuing a vicious circle.
In fairness, I don't think anyone on a forum should be advising PTS or otherwise without seeing the pony, getting full history ect.
 
charlie76 said:
In fairness, I don't think anyone on a forum should be advising PTS or otherwise without seeing the pony, getting full history ect.
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Hmm see I kindof agree with this for a lot of things, but bolting is one of those few things that 1) is hard to school away 2) is often unpredictable and 3) is flipping dangerous, adult or child on board.

If the pony's future as an unridden companion can't be reasonably guaranteed, I too, would be looking at PTS.
 
charlie76 said:
without wishing to sound rude, as I don't know you or the child that was riding the pony, what level of rider would you put yourselves at? Would the child be able to stay balanced when the pony gets nervous? would you say you were big on the pony or the right sized? The reason for asking is that we have had a few like this and we have managed to work through it with them. What we found was happening was that the horse/pony would worry about something, go to bolt ( and yes, proper bolting) and the rider would loose their balance, which would panic the pony more, the rider would then fall off and the pony would be terrified casuing a vicious circle.
In fairness, I don't think anyone on a forum should be advising PTS or otherwise without seeing the pony, getting full history ect.
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Child is ten, confident and balanced enough to do lateral work including changes etc and jump a 1m plus course etc and is not a panicker - she threw the reins to him when he ran off and sat still, then tried kicking him forward half way round, then eventually stopped by grabbing the bit ring and steering him into a bush.
 
By any chance has he had a brain scan? A friends horse did this and he actually had a brain tumor which was causing it, such a shame :(

If he is absolutly fine physcially have you thought about trying to build trust with the pony or turning away for a year and re backing?

I'm not into the parelli rubbish but I think that building a trusting relationship with a horse really helps most problems especially if he is bolting because he is scared.
 
My big girl is a 'bolter' when out alone, she hasnt (so far) bolted when schooling, but I dont trust her at all out of an arena, she also hasnt bolted when out with another horse, but has spun and gone to run. I bought her as a pity project, with a view to drive, she is perfect in the long reins and harrows well, but I would never ever ever put her in the shafts for fear of what she could do - having been in a carriage with a bolting horse in front, on a road, it is the least pleasent way to pass the time I can think of! No way would I advocate putting the pony in question in harness.
I wouldnt push my oppinion on anyone, but OP, if he is bad to catch, nervy to handle and talented but dangerous to ride, it may be the kindest thing for the pony to put him to sleep.
Wishing you all the best with your hard decision. x
 
Please dont think i am been rude but is it possible for you to send the pony away to a small adult for a few weeks and see if they can sort the pony out? The adult will be stronger then your child and sadly ponies cotton on very quick to what they can get away with. Where abouts are you? also what size and age is this pony?
 
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