Holding deposit on a pony

[mariew]

I think it's pretty off that she won't give you anything back when the pony ruined the sale. I'd push a bit. Surely it can't be a a lightening bolt of the blue unless they haven't owned it for very long.

 

[SO1]

I think it depends if she lost viewings over the three days which could have resulted in a sale without a second viewing.

I wonder if the behaviour was different if the pony might have the start of laminitis and not feeling comfortable especially if a small native out on grass for few days with lots of sugar due to rain.

If she had lots of requests for viewings that she lost out on then yes keep the deposit. If nobody wanted to view in those 3 days then give deposit back.

 

[Merry neddy man]

HRH has the pony been sold? have a horsey friend ring and enquire, if it's sold press for your deposit back, how assertive have you been with her regarding the return of your deposit with the pony not being suitable for a novice rider. Have you been back for a 3rd viewing to try the pony again ( preferably un announced) ?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I can sort of see the seller's point of view. Asking for a pony to be taken off the market is a commitment to buy. It secures the sale. Why would sellers do that unless they had some protection. Many poepoe want 2nd viewings and take the risk that the horse goes in the meantime, so a deposit pending a 2nd viewing is hugely risky. If you know you want the pony, buy it. If you aren't sure, view again and hope the pony does not sell in the meantime.

You were in that grey area of thinking that you were definitely buying and so securing the sale. But then backing out.

If the pony really was awful on the 2nd viewing then as a goodwill gesture seller should refund (I'd be mortified!) But there may be a difference of opinion on that. Ponies are sentient and have good days and bad days. You are not descrining dangerous behaviour but more 'oh do I have to' behaviour that may reflect a change of management since the 'sale'.

Personally I'd view again and make discreet enquiries locally about the ponies temperament.

I definitely would NOT be slagging off seller and pony locally as recommended upthread. I think this really is just an unfortunate sitution not one in which anywone has really done anything terrily wrong or dishonest.

 

[honetpot]

She was visibly embarrassed and said she was getting cross with him as he'd never behaved that way before. It was all a bit awkward for everyone. My Mum was expecting to see the perfect pony I'd told her about, I was mortified at what I was seeing having got her to travel 100 miles to come and see him, and the seller was embarrassed the pony would not go into trot without her chasing after him and she had to drag him round trying too. He was napping to other ponies and would randomly just plant feet and do nothing. A very uncomfortable situation. More difficult is that she is extremely local to me and our paths are likely to cross in the future.

We have had a lot of fresh sugary, grass, and even the sanest of ponies can get silly, but I wonder if it has a touch of laminitis.
Our old boy got naughty and never showed any lameness, but the farrier could see the inflammation. He came back off loan and we couldn't understand why he was so naughty, even bucking. A friend was desperate for a pony, she had known him for years, so was happy to take him as he was, and put him on a diet, he went back to his normal self.
From experience, I wouldn't try and buy the perfect pony, none of them are. I always look where and how it is kept, how much work has it had, and what are they feeding it, should be nothing. For a first pony I would want to see a pony taken straight out of the field, tacked up and ridden by a child, who can easily trot it away from the gate, and walk it back slowly. Avoid anything that has been ridden a lot, unless a school holiday.
If you leave it a few weeks there will probably more to chose from.