How do I rehome this NF pony?

[Lady La La]

Pony was bought from a (disgraceful) riding school by two novice parents for their novice daughter.
Pony was bought as an unbacked 3 year old with the promise that she would be absolutely suitable for novice 8 year old once backed, they would just have to take it slow. They paid well over the odds for her, and kept her on full livery at the RS.
R.S has no turn out, 3 yr old was stabled all day and all night, going out for occasional walks in hand up the lane each week. It was sent away and backed, then came back and little girl has sat on it in walk and trot a few times on the LR.
Pony scared little girl big time and now her and her parents are scared stiff of it.
I took the phonecall from them last week and pony is now in my field, far too small for me to do anything with and my mare is bulling her something cronic.

So... How do I go about selling it on? The owners understand they are going to lose out on their money, its just a fact they will have to get over - their little un could have a lovely pony for little hacks and the like, its not fair on any of them, or the pony.

I thought about advertising her as backed at 3, and now turned away (it's 4 now)
so she's being 'sold from field' of whatever the hell you call it when the pony being sold cant be tried? IMO she needs some down time in the field and then re starting once she's mentally ready. She needs to go to someone experienced and not another novice... So do I even have a hope in hell of finding her a decent home for these people?

 

[Suzie86]

i bought basically exactly that last summer for £250 - a little nf gelding just turned 5 from a horrendous "rescue centre"/ equally horrendous "riding school". He had been "backed" but not properly, chucked the kiddies off and sold as unrideable!

Now although he is quirky and has some issues (plus is basically scared of everything) he is a brilliant little pony. Now I'm trying to sell him

So I guess yes, but for about that sort of price. Can I ask how much they paid for it?

 

[Lady La La]

They paid £2000 for it unbacked (!!!) and then paid for it to be backed.
The pony hasnt done anything wrong under saddle, its just a usual unpredictable youngster... that became a little more unpredictable than normal due to being stabled 24/7. Poor thing

 

[Sparkles]

2000 for a New Forest, unbacked??! Are they out of their mind? I hope they understand they'll be lucky to get 600-900 tops for it

I would just sell it how it is, or put a bit of work into it with a small return to you, if you can to get it riding lightly again [Newfies are tough little things, I'm sure you'd be fine on it for 2 weeks just to get it going possibly?] Say 2 weeks work into it for 250 out of the sale or something?

 

[Lady La La]

2000 for a New Forest, unbacked??! Are they out of their mind? I hope they understand they'll be lucky to get 600-900 tops for it

I would just sell it how it is, or put a bit of work into it with a small return to you, if you can to get it riding lightly again [Newfies are tough little things, I'm sure you'd be fine on it for 2 weeks just to get it going possibly?] Say 2 weeks work into it for 250 out of the sale or something?

Im not bothered at all about getting any money out of them, the poor people have lost thousands on what they have spent on full livery (pony in stable... skipped out once a day and fed) for the pony itself, and having it backed. I feel so desperatly sorry for them and the little child.

I cant get on it as I'll squash it, I could long rein it etc till the cows come home, but that little girl wont be getting back on board. The pony miserable at mine, my mare is bullying her awfully, so I've had to stable her durin the day and turn her out at night with my shetland. I tried fencing the field off so she was on her own in one half but she kept stressing and jumping out.

 

[scarymare]

The most important thing for the family will be to 'stop the meter running'. If they have been paying full livery then losing the £2000 will be a small price to pay plus there is the safety factor. There must be a redress here with trading standards - the pony was not sold honestly. Poor pony though - hope you can find it a good home. I don't think you'll get anything for it unfortunately. There is seems to be loads of good safe ponies out there and everyone is passing them down to others until much older. Best of luck and well done for agreeing to help them.

 

[Lady La La]

Do you think they have a case for trading standards or something similar?
I have been advised to advertise her as unbacked, so that the buyer is aware the pony needs starting from scratch. I thought about advertising her for £500, if she's well bred someone might want her?
Does that sound reasonable?

 

[smellsofhorse]

Try a charity, they may take her in or get you in contact with experinced people who are looking for a pony.

The money isnt inportant but finding a good home is.
Its good the the owners realise this.

 

[Sparkles]

500 seems very reasonable. I would advertise her as backed and just be completely honest about her to anyone. For that price, they're paying for what they get.