Nappy pony - what to do?

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Sharonr

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My new ponio arrived on Friday so gave her day to settle a bit then rode with my friend on Sunday and Monday and she was a wee dream.

However, took her out on her own tonight and she whinnied and half reared for some of the time and jogged all the way home.

What should I do? Be strong with her or sit quiet?

Felt myself getting uptight cos I bought her as a confidence giver!!!
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oh no don't be disheartened.

first of all she may just take some time to settle, some take longer than others.

it sounds as if you are perfectly competent, so definately don't lose the confidence :-)

don't give up on hacking alone, but perhaps try for a short distance at first increasing it over time?

I hope it goes well, keeps us updated
hugs
jo
 
If you only got her on Friday she hasn't really had a chance to settle down yet, I would give her a few more days off and then go out in company a few times, other wise you might end up getting nervous of her and if you brought her as a confidence giver, you dont want that.
The best thing you can do when they are like that is ride them through it quietly if they are genuinely worried but if she's just playing up get a bit hard on her but don't get hard yet, give her a chance
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Good luck
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i'd try to ride her out with someone else for a few more times, even if it's just someone on foot or on a bike... this can be good because the horse has company, but is getting over its 'herd instinct'. sitting quietly but being calmly firm if necessary is always the way forward. if you feel yourself getting uptight, remember to breathe calmly, sing a little song, chatter away to her in a soothing voice... this can be really effective.
very best of luck!
 
Aww shucks, thanx everyone!

Felt all upset tonight cos felt like I'd bought the wrong horse. Must admit that I was shouting at her when I was getting uptight which I think was making her worse.

On last part of jog home, I kept asking her to halt and patting her and telling her she was really good then asking her to walk forward and she did seem better and more relaxed then so think it is all my fault really and making her more nervous.

I've not really given her a good chance to settle in her new home yet so must be patient!!
 
Ellie jogs on the way home from a hack once she can see the yard. So I tend to turn her away and go back the way we came and keep doing this til she thinks hang on I better behave
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and we walk back into the yard sensibly
 
It is very, very early days with her. Horses take a long time to settle in to a new home, they have left their horsey friends, their routine and their familiar surroundings. Give her plenty of time and be patient.
 
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