Help pls... new pony vetted passed now crook... What do I do.. Long winded but advise

Llewellyn said:
Did you not check the saddle for fit before your son first rode. Surely if its not the one you tried him in alarm bells would ring as ponies rarely have two fitting saddles. Personally I would lunge him in an long outline gently building up some topline no saddle or son. Then get a saddler to either find a saddle and make adjustments or make one from scratch. But if he has no topline don't do it straight away because is shape will change with proper work. We've had a couple with bad backs and just what we have done but I would say avoid pain relief where possible or ppnies will continue to work in a way that will hurt them once there is no relief so build up the wrong muscles. This also happened to me when I hurt my back. Really bugs me how people do to ponies backs what they wouldnt dream of doing to horses.
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I hadn't picked up on the fact that you hadn't got the tack you paid for. I'd go back to the vendor and ask for the tack that you DID pay for. In fact I wouldn't have accepted the dodgy tack in the first place but it's too late for that now. I'd also be telling the vendor that their actions have caused the pony to have a bad back and you'd like a contribution to the vet bill. I don't expect you'll get that but it might mean that you get the correct tack. Failing that I'd at least want the £450 back.
 
WOW.... so many replies n good advise.
thank you so much... update over past few days...

Our vet coming this week, spoke today to Royal Vet College in London about what route to take with vets.. was told 'Buy another pony' SERIOUSLY!!

We love this pony.. gone back to basics.. 4 days off... now gentle lunging for a month n walking out in hand..! NO RIDER!

Believe pony genuine as so so wonderful to handle.. but chiropractor says this has been a long term problem and has been wearing a saddle with previous owners that was def too long as he is a 14.5" to last rib so anything else would of been pressuring over back n kidneys?

Am going to get my vet to 'vet' him... n see what happens then take it from there... still very upset

In reply to one of your replies, no they didn't cry, infact got impression the quicker he was out the way the better! They did reply on facebook saying he looked very shiny... Still sure they aren't dealers.. honestly am sure.. just think pony knocked their daughters confidence as wouldn't jump off lead rein and daughter wants to compete...

We have all winter to make him happy, pain free , n loved...

Thanks again for all your replies.. will keep you updated...

K x x x
 
jacks Mum

Where are you based. Have you thought about using Equine Touch. I have seen some very good results using this method.

You may even find a level 3 student that wants some case studies. Level 3 students are those who are working to their practitioner level

If it is muscle damage and a chiropractor has re-aligned the joints it is a physio or a body worker to stimulate the muscles and help rebuild them correctly
 
Yes if he comes right he will have a home for life.... he's fallen on his feet if all comes good, but as someone said he's an expensive lawnmower if he doesn't..

We're in Suffolk on the coast x
 
Good for you - he deserves a chance and you are doing the decent thing in spite of his previous owners passing their trouble on in a very heartless and irresponsible way. I'm hopeful he makes a full recovery and as lots on here have found, patience, time and good horsemastership often brings amazing results and that you reap the rewards of your belief that he is a superstar. All the best and keep us posted.

As for them, well, they should be ashamed of themselves...
 
Jacks Mum. Without going through all the posts again I may be speaking out of turn. BUT it would appear you have only had the pony a short time. Maybe approx 1 week to 10 days. If so get your own Equine Vet out immediately for a blood test. Drugs do stay in the system for some time. (which is how many competition riders get caught out) You are obviously thinking this pony has either had a painkiller (Bute) or a sedative (make it calm) 10 days to 2 weeks it CAN be detected.
You do not have to have it tested immediately, just get your Vet to store it under the required conditions (normally a fridge) Then tell the previous owners of your problems & explain that you had a blood test done after only a few days as a precaution. The blood can be tested at any time within (argh forgot) but approx say 6 to 12 months. Should you have a case against the attending Vets at time of purchase they personally will have to pay for the blood to be tested (1st defence) but maybe better if you test, & pass on the cost. Either way there is hope ( for the pony also) Not everyone knows the ropes when dealing with these problems, but I think one other poster has said as a Vet "Things can be done" This is why they have Insurance,
Good Luck
 
Goodness I hope this works out - don't bother going after the vets, you wont win. I started to go down a negligence route 2 years ago. Very expensive and my horse pulled through so I dropped it (would have carried on till bankruptcy if he had died). Winter is coming anyway so turn the pony out, get tack that fits and then in the spring send it away for a couple of weeks to be professionally brought back into work. That way you get an opinion on his suitability. Notice you said he was a bit light when you tried him. Ring, ring ring alarm bells I'm afraid.
 
Spoke briefly to vets who vetted him n told they didn;t take blood as requested..... HELP!!
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Why weren't you there for the vetting???

What does the vet report say??

The only come back I'd imagine is a refund for a 5 stage vetting that did not happen.

Sounds like pony will probably right as rain after some treatment.......
 
FRESHMAN said:
Jacks Mum. Without going through all the posts again I may be speaking out of turn. BUT it would appear you have only had the pony a short time. Maybe approx 1 week to 10 days. If so get your own Equine Vet out immediately for a blood test. Drugs do stay in the system for some time. (which is how many competition riders get caught out) You are obviously thinking this pony has either had a painkiller (Bute) or a sedative (make it calm) 10 days to 2 weeks it CAN be detected.
You do not have to have it tested immediately, just get your Vet to store it under the required conditions (normally a fridge) Then tell the previous owners of your problems & explain that you had a blood test done after only a few days as a precaution. The blood can be tested at any time within (argh forgot) but approx say 6 to 12 months. Should you have a case against the attending Vets at time of purchase they personally will have to pay for the blood to be tested (1st defence) but maybe better if you test, & pass on the cost. Either way there is hope ( for the pony also) Not everyone knows the ropes when dealing with these problems, but I think one other poster has said as a Vet "Things can be done" This is why they have Insurance,
Good Luck
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I agree...good advice :-)
 
Wouldn't such a test be invalid though as no way of proving who had adminstered the bute or whatever ....how could you prove that you hadn't give the pony anything since you had owned him ?
 
If he chucked off your son, can't you just send him back as not suitable as a child's pony?
Tell your son the pony is poorly so he can't be ridden. What does the advert say?
 
I am no expert but I do know that it is VERY expensive to get bloods that have been taken tested. You are talking around £230 TO £250. Really not worth it in this case and as someone pointed out it's too late - you could have given bute, so it would prove nothing. It could be the previous rider was lighter and therefore caused pony less pain? Who knows, it's a horrid situation indeed and what few have mentionned is all the emotional upset and attachment. It doesn't matter if you have owned the pony for a few days or a few weeks; it is still an emotional tie and drain. Anyone who loves horses would feel an attachment!!!

Good luck
 
OK do you know which vets the previous owner has used for routine care? have a look on the passport and see which practice has administered the vaccinations. See if you can get your vet to request the records of the pony to see if it has been treated for this problem before. You may be lucky and they be willing to pass information on.

Also have a look at previous owners prior to the ones you bought from. Phone them up and get as much history as possible. At all points be friendly, light hearted, and evasive. Do not let anyone catch on that you are looking towards legal action etc, just you want to help this pony as much as possible (as from your post it seems you do anyhow).

See if you can find anyone in the area that knows the pony, again be friendly ask lots of questions in a more "general" conversation.

TBH this is the kind of thing I routinely do prior to purchasing. It is amazing what you can find out from old yards the horse/pony has been on and trainers etc. Previous owners are also an invaluble source of information!

You need to do as much digging as possible before people put up walls/gather where you may be going with this...then I would look at whether from this information the pony you were sold is "fit for purpose".

Obviously in the meantime it would be good to get the pony healthy and happy. It could be that the problem/injury has occurred whilst with you.
 
WOW.. thanks all so much.. update. said pony is still with us, still a little snot but we're working with him, previous owners were very rude and unhelpful. Pony now being ridden, lead rein only, has saddle that fits.. has seen back man twice and has 'settled' in.. actually we took him to a show, so when he came back hoped he'd suddenly say 'home' and he did, really changed him.. the dury is out for the time being and we've enrolled for pony club with a hope they will grow together.. certainly our son loves him n he loves our son.. thats a good grounding.. thatnks for everyones support.. x
 
I have only just seen this and just wanted to say, well done for doing right by the pony. I hope it all works out for him to be the right pony for your son. And I hope the old owners get their just desserts!
 
may I ask where he came from? Possibly better if you PM me as I am from round there and it sounds a bit suspicious (dont worry I have had nothing to do with selling a pony). Just interested if he came from the local dealers.
 
Well it sounds like you've chosen the right pony for your son - how great to have such a bond so soon! It might be worth seeing an equine soliciter and checking the options first: if it's straight forward enough to get a claim from the vet's indemnity insurance then it might just be worth it. If it's not quick, simple or likely then I'd leave it. However, if it will take time, money and has a low chance of succeeding, I'd be tempted to invest my time and money into getting the little critter better and chalking the whole story up to experience.
 
UPDATE... Bee is now retired.. thats it... having been an angel for few days we went to wander round the block yesterday on the beautiful sunny day ,, tacked up perfect, walked down drive perfect.. got to lane.. very quiet lane and little escort size van pottered to go past at about 15 mph n pony from nowhere stood up n spun infront of van.. if I'd of had a gun I would of SHOT IT THERE AND THEN..!
Anyway for some reason yesterday I called the District Commisioner of the Fitzwilliam, just had gut feeling.. she strangley enough was actually stood next to his old owners when she answered.. anyway she wandered off so she could talk, and I explained situ to her.. she said they were at a rally n would call me back.. She rang at 3pm, after the upset.. Apparently she'd gone to talk to the instructors that had been at mini camp and taught at some of the rallies and one of these ladies is very little.. DC said her words about pony were unrepeatable.. but in polite terms Unpredictable and Dangerous.. They had advised get rid, reckoned he'd been beaten senseless in past and was not safe.
AT LEAST ITS NOT US THATS DONE IT
think DC not amused these people sold pony on like they did...
after many long hours and a totally sleepless night we have decided to get Be into a local retirement centre where they don;t ride or rehome..
We did think we should give them a chance to have him back, instead we will do this, and know he will never be ridden again.. IF we win the lottery he'll stay with us forever as a companion.. WE ARE DEVASTATED THIS WOMAN DID THIS.
I will be taking legal advise on Monday...
However Jack was very brave yesterday and a friend let us go to hers last night and he got straight on her 10.2 shettie.. we borrowed him today for pony club.. he got on great..
Jack and I keep crying, my husband is furious.. gutted!!
 
Jacks Mum having read the whole of this thread this morning I am horrified that anyone could sell a childs pony which is described by DC as dangerous & unpredicable.

You must be reliving your near miss with that van and how your son didnt end up under that van it just dosnt bear thinking about.

You have been amazing in giving this pony every chance and I feel you are entitled to some form of recompense.

I do hope this hasnt put your son off riding and you find the right pony you both richly deserve. Perhaps the DC will know of one for sale or possible loan.

Good luck to you both .
 
Wow, thats quite an outcome. Have you spoken to the previous owner about what you've been told? I'd certainly give her a piece of my mind. To put a kid on it sounds just horrific. Sorry it didnt work out :( Its such a shame there are dishonest people out there.
 
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In light of what you have found out, surely the TS would be very interested in the sellers even after all this time because the pony was known by them to be dangerous and unpredictable, certainly not as he was sold.

Lucky pony for ending up with you.
 
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