Help need - new pony kicking

[Fluffy20]

Bought 11 year old section a gelding last week. Tried him twice and was good to ride and handle, my daughter (8 yrs old) caught and brought him in from the field, brushed him and then tacked him up herself. He was a little fidgety but no aggression. He was advertised as a child’s pony, done pony parties, handled by a 5 yr old. We’ve had him 4 days and he has been difficult/unsafe to handle since he arrived although is fine ridden. Cow kicking when rugged or girthed. Turns his bum when child approaches with rug or tack, kicked out with both barrels when a competent older child went in to put his head collar on. Help needed! Is this behaviour likely to improve when he settles?

 

[AmyMay]

Have you spoken to the sellers about his behaviour?

 

[Fluffy20]

Have you spoken to the sellers about his behaviour?

Not yet wanted to see if he would settle

 

[AmyMay]

Not yet wanted to see if he would settle

I’d certainly make that your first port of call.

 

[Upthecreek]

Obviously the move will have unsettled him, but I would not expect the behaviour of a pony that age to change that drastically. If he was sold to you as being good to handle by children I wouldn’t hesitate in going back to the seller very quickly and explaining what has happened.

Turning his arse and kicking out with both barrels is pretty extreme and very dangerous. How does he behave with adults?

Is this behaviour happening when pony is in a stable? Did you see him handled in a stable when you viewed him?

 

[Fluffy20]

He’s doing it both in and out of the stable - tied up or held. We did see him handled in the stable and was fine if a bit fidgety. Seems much better with adults, tries it on with the same behaviour but soon behaves after being reprimanded with a smack on the neck or raised voice

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The first time I went to catch our first horse, he turned his back end to me and bunny-hopped at me (tbf, you could hardly call it a kick). I jumped back and as it happened caught him with the rope halter across his bum. He never did it again. He was absolutely perfect as a first horse, well-mannered and knew his job inside out but needed to know who was in charge.

 

[SusieT]

He's unhappy-question is is it new home or has he always been like that?
If fidgety at trial probably easily stressed- maybe not a good buy for children
I would only have adults handling and children as accessories/riders atm.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

He’s doing it both in and out of the stable - tied up or held. We did see him handled in the stable and was fine if a bit fidgety. Seems much better with adults, tries it on with the same behaviour but soon behaves after being reprimanded with a smack on the neck or raised voice

I would make it a rule that only adults handle him for now. The behaviour might just be because he is unsettled by the move.

 

[Shay]

Ponies often learn to try it on with kids. If he can make you (or the child) move their feet - or even better move away from him - he has won. He is probably just doing what all ponies do. I used to call it the "new pony horrors" and it catches new owners out time after time - even when they have experience of it. He wants to know who is boss - is it you or is it him? Are you a good leader he can be safe with? or not? He's lost his "herd" and his safety net. He needs to know where the boundaries are now.

He needs to be reminded of his manners - but not in a nasty or agressive way. Horses communicate through body language. Echo pearlsinger - only adults to handle for a while. Confident body language. No "faffing" which will unsettle him more. The odd reprimand if he needs it - but correctly timed and appropriate to the offence.

If you didn't have him vetted do get the vet to check he isn't in pain. Get the saddler out to check his saddle still fits with a different rider. Allthough it probably isn't pain its wise to rule that out at an early stage before any poor behaviour escalates to being ridden.

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

It may be that previous owners didn’t see this behaviour as very risky- ponies are sometimes treated like small dogs are ie allowed to get away with what they may see as ‘cheeky’ behaviour, whereas with a large horse manners are implemented from the start. Or they did discourage it and so pony learnt not to try it with them, and is testing you/your child. Using appropriate ‘telling off’ eg using a stern ‘no’, or standing your ground without putting yourself in danger and using confident/dominant body language may help. In the meantime only allow an adult to handle/tack up.
But this will only help if it’s not a pain issue or the pony may be cold backed. Definitely discuss with previous owner. Good luck! X