ru-fi-do
Well-Known Member
I've come home from the stables feeling really down today so sorry if the post ends up long.
I took on a project pony last December, he was very nervous and quite poor condition. I gave him the winter and start of spring to gain condition and trust before working him, when we started to bring him into work it appeared he wouldn't let anyone mount him he wold just shoot round in a circle although he never took the reins out of your hands or bolted, he was just very sharp, his teeth back and saddle were all fine. I got a local horsemanship man out that was recommended to me and he did some work with him and was able to mount him after an hours groundwork. Since then he has been fine to mount, he even suprised me last week, he hadn't had any work done to him for 4 weeks due to me having swine flu and then going on holiday, but still let me get on him with no problems at all, he only has a halter on too. He doesn't understand aids at all, when asked to walk on he does a turn on the forehand, a friend has been walking at the side of him with me on and he seems to be getting the hang of it. BUT my biggest problem is I can't catch him, I spent 2 hours following him round the field this morning and he just walks circles around whatever horses are out, if there are no horses out he will walk himself through the gate into the pathway and will let me catch him there fine
But just not in the field ( I could catch him fine through winter). In the end today we had to get the horses in just so he would follow, which isn't ideal.
Once he is in he is fine. I just feel like I've really hit a brick wall with him, he has a lovely temperament and has obviously had a real beating at some point, he has scars on his face but he just can't seem to trust.
I'm wondering wether I would be better off looking for a companion home for him but I'm worried about finding the right home, I would hate for him to be passed from pillar to post and feel awful about even having to think about finding him a home but I can't afford to keep putting money into him and getting no enjoyment from it and plus my partner has just been put on short time, I hope that doesn't sound selfish.
I really don't know what to do and I hope the post makes sense, well done for getting this far. Any thoughts welcome or advise on finding him a home.
I took on a project pony last December, he was very nervous and quite poor condition. I gave him the winter and start of spring to gain condition and trust before working him, when we started to bring him into work it appeared he wouldn't let anyone mount him he wold just shoot round in a circle although he never took the reins out of your hands or bolted, he was just very sharp, his teeth back and saddle were all fine. I got a local horsemanship man out that was recommended to me and he did some work with him and was able to mount him after an hours groundwork. Since then he has been fine to mount, he even suprised me last week, he hadn't had any work done to him for 4 weeks due to me having swine flu and then going on holiday, but still let me get on him with no problems at all, he only has a halter on too. He doesn't understand aids at all, when asked to walk on he does a turn on the forehand, a friend has been walking at the side of him with me on and he seems to be getting the hang of it. BUT my biggest problem is I can't catch him, I spent 2 hours following him round the field this morning and he just walks circles around whatever horses are out, if there are no horses out he will walk himself through the gate into the pathway and will let me catch him there fine
Once he is in he is fine. I just feel like I've really hit a brick wall with him, he has a lovely temperament and has obviously had a real beating at some point, he has scars on his face but he just can't seem to trust.
I'm wondering wether I would be better off looking for a companion home for him but I'm worried about finding the right home, I would hate for him to be passed from pillar to post and feel awful about even having to think about finding him a home but I can't afford to keep putting money into him and getting no enjoyment from it and plus my partner has just been put on short time, I hope that doesn't sound selfish.
I really don't know what to do and I hope the post makes sense, well done for getting this far. Any thoughts welcome or advise on finding him a home.