Naughty pony, i'm at my wits end

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:( my daughter's 11.2 welsh mare is so moody. She's been in a restricted paddock for a few weeks so I know she's hungry. She broke out of the paddock today and now I can't catch her. I'm a complete novice when it comes to horses and was landed with the pony after being let down by a family member who said they would look after it! Me and my daughter are desperate to learn.

She lunges well, but when riding she is very unpredicatble, sometimes knaps, hard work to get into trot and bucks when asked to canter and generally unruly.

She lives out all year but when we put her in the stable to groom she kicks off.

Am so close to getting rid of her. Don't know where to turn for help. :mad:
 
Have you had her teeth, back and saddle looked at?

Is there anyone you can ask to help you? an instructor or more experienced person around the yard? I think ground work is also very important. If you're only bringing her in to groom and then ride, I think you need to do someground work to gain her respect and build a bond.

I would definitley ask for help, she probably senses that you're nervous around her. Don't give up just yet.

ETA What is the reason for her being in the restricted paddock?
 
First off I think you should put some soaked and rinsed hay (12 hours, min of one hour soak in fresh water each time) out for her in the paddock to help with her hunger. :) Contact someone off this list or similar for a visit. http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/content/view/47/97/
Try and look at this as a learning curve for you as a novice and perhaps 'stop' and go back to basics with the pony first. There's so much to learn about how to interact with horses as well as caring for them but it's a fab journey.
Good luck. :)
Oh and you don't have to groom her in a stable. :)
 
Hi you really need some help. These crafty ponies know exactly who knows what. She will probably run rings round you until you learn enough to deal with her. I feed my fatties ad lib straw so that they arent miserably hungry. Is there somebody local that can come and help, is she at home? You might be better at a livery yard or riding school for a while so that you can learn how to sort her out. Good luck it can get sorted
 
Hi ,
You havent said how long you have had her for & if she has always been like this

I agree with what has already been said she will realise if you arent confident around her - if you are prepared to put the time in & get some help I am sure she will be fine there are normally advertisements for instructors etc in local tack shops if you do not know anyone. It may be also worth discussing stable management etc to help both of you to feel more confident

- If your daughter is worried about riding her she will also pick up on this - If your daughter is not that confident on her anymore how about another rider ?? there are plently of people that enjoy riding stroppy ponies ! & keep working on the groundwork - when you've caught her !!!
I know it seems very hard @ the moment but I am sure you will be able to get her sorted :)
 
Sarah sum1 said:
Have you had her teeth, back and saddle looked at?

Is there anyone you can ask to help you? an instructor or more experienced person around the yard? I think ground work is also very important. If you're only bringing her in to groom and then ride, I think you need to do someground work to gain her respect and build a bond.

I would definitley ask for help, she probably senses that you're nervous around her. Don't give up just yet.

ETA What is the reason for her being in the restricted paddock?
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Hi, yes she was checked out by the VET in May and no problems found, although vet put her on a diet, hence the resitricted paddock, we do give her soaked hay after she's been rode.

I don't know what you mean by ground work? We lunge her everyday and she responds OK. A girl at the yard has offered to help us but she's been on holiday for a forthnight, back this week.

I'm sure she does sense my discomfort with her. Thanks for your advice.
 
Thanks all for your advice, I think we really do need to get some professional help with her.:o

I feel such a fool when I'm with more experienced people though, but I guess we all have to start somewhere. Think I might have to attend the pony club with my daughter!
 
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maree t said:
Hi you really need some help. These crafty ponies know exactly who knows what. She will probably run rings round you until you learn enough to deal with her. I feed my fatties ad lib straw so that they arent miserably hungry. Is there somebody local that can come and help, is she at home? You might be better at a livery yard or riding school for a while so that you can learn how to sort her out. Good luck it can get sorted
Click to expand...

Thanks, we are at a yard, going to seek some help. :)
 
pansy said:
Hi ,
You havent said how long you have had her for & if she has always been like this

I agree with what has already been said she will realise if you arent confident around her - if you are prepared to put the time in & get some help I am sure she will be fine there are normally advertisements for instructors etc in local tack shops if you do not know anyone. It may be also worth discussing stable management etc to help both of you to feel more confident

- If your daughter is worried about riding her she will also pick up on this - If your daughter is not that confident on her anymore how about another rider ?? there are plently of people that enjoy riding stroppy ponies ! & keep working on the groundwork - when you've caught her !!!
I know it seems very hard @ the moment but I am sure you will be able to get her sorted :)
Click to expand...

We've had her since Feb this year and shes always been the same, going to look for some help. Thanks :)
 
Novice said:
I feel such a fool when I'm with more experienced people though, but I guess we all have to start somewhere.
Click to expand...
So true. None of us know everything and we all have to start somewhere. I felt useless and ashamed when I realized I really had to have help when I had a horse I had no idea how to manage to improve things between us. Best thing I ever did looking back and I was never once made to feel stupid and was so relieved to have some tools, a plan and support. I was very enthused too. I used a lady off the list I posted.
 
amandap said:
So true. None of us know everything and we all have to start somewhere. I felt useless and ashamed when I realized I really had to have help when I had a horse I had no idea how to manage to improve things between us. Best thing I ever did looking back and I was never once made to feel stupid and was so relieved to have some tools, a plan and support. I was very enthused too. I used a lady off the list I posted.
Click to expand...

:) Thanks
 
Don't be afraid to ask for help - everybody has to learn - we have only had ours for the last couple of years & now we have 2!! It is a massive learning curve & we are still learning - I wouldn't of coped without the support of others & I still need it - people dont mind offering help & assistance -
I am sure your YO will be able to help or offer recommend someone who can -Fingers crossed - please keep us updated xx
 
Definately don't attempt to work her when she is hungry. Then you will get the worst of her.Just stick to walk and trot for now with your child. And professional help as others have said. Some ponies will come good with work, but some always stay quirky. Only time will tell.
 
She won't be allowed to go to pony club camp unless she can canter and control the pony, you really will need to get help here even of you have to pay for it, it is not that usual to have to lunge a pony, and if you are not experienced it is likely that she is taking the p### on the lunge anyway.
did you buy her as a first pony, if so get back to vendor.
 
Please don't be put off, sounds as though she is being a typically naughty pony and you just need some help to be boss of her.

Don't every be embarrassed about asking for help - none of us knows all the answers and remember, even those at the top of their game still have coaches and lessons.

If you can get hold of a pony club manual of horsemanship this is something both you and your daughter can read and learn from. Mine is so old its falling apart but has been a valuable tool.

Good luck.

:)
 
I was you 6 years ago! Lost count of the number of times we stood in the yard, me with our trusty pony club manual and my daughter following as I read things out :) We were lucky and were adopted by a knowledgeable mum on our yard. 6 years on we are still learning and on our 4th pony (why do kids grow!). Pony Club were fab, dismounted sessions can be attended by parents as well as children and you learn loads.

Dont give up, just ask loads of questions.

Good luck and keep us updated.
 
You need to be firm, but fair and CONSISTENT with these ponies. They are craftier than a waggon load of monkies!!

Certainly soaking the hay until most of the goodness is leached out of it will stop the hunger pangs but you still need to sort out her attitude!

Good luck.
 
MrsD123 said:
She won't be allowed to go to pony club camp unless she can canter and control the pony, you really will need to get help here even of you have to pay for it, it is not that usual to have to lunge a pony, and if you are not experienced it is likely that she is taking the p### on the lunge anyway.
did you buy her as a first pony, if so get back to vendor.
Click to expand...

Don't Pony Clubs allow lead rein now? I spent many hours running miles alongside our little chaps). I would have thought with the lack of riding schools around PC would be even more accommodating for the real novice rider.
 
Double_choc_lab said:
Don't Pony Clubs allow lead rein now? I spent many hours running miles alongside our little chaps). I would have thought with the lack of riding schools around PC would be even more accommodating for the real novice rider.
Click to expand...

Ours certainly does & my neice's branch also. Pony Club can be a terrific help & you will meet other parents some of whom will also have been "non horsey".

Our branch has special lead rein lessons & two of the rides at junior camp were on lead reins.
 
Yes she can go pc on lead rein, think mrsD was talking about camp. I was in your situation with our 1st pony (11.2hh section a who was a sod!!) This was 10 years ago now & pc was the answer for us, got so much help & advice, & still do! Good luck xx
 
Our pony club do 3 different camps for the different ages, including a day "camp" for the leadreins:)
Also worth asking if any of the other children on your yard would like to ride your pony, parents informed of course, my 12 year old loves riding the naughties !!
 
I don't think we are quite at the going to camp stage yet, but joining the local PC will do you no end of good, and put you in touch with some good local instructors. Your local yard/tack shop should be able to point you to a nearby one, or else go onto the pony club website and use their find a branch feature.

For the moment, perhaps bring the pony into the stable for four hours a night, and leave it with a slice of soaked hay to pick at. Get it to realise that it doesn't only come into be groomed and messed with - that the stable can be quite a nice place. To some extent, ignore a lot of the tantrums/protesting you may get at first. Let it become part of the routine.

Try and find someone experienced that could come and ride the pony for you. Thats what we did with my son's first pony, who was also a bolshy welsh dragon too. These little ponies come on so much if they have a lightweight experienced rider on now and again - otherwise they think they can push everyone about. These types are lovely ponies, and great fun once you iron out the early problems, but they can be 12h in height and 17h of attitude! Also try and find an instructor who can help your daughter (hopefully someone from PC).

With our 12h, I did a lot on the lunge, but theres no point in you lungeing her if you don't really know what you're asking. These busy ponies need things to keep them busy, or they look for evasions. We used to lunge ours over fences and handy pony obstacles etc, but if you're not a confident and experienced lunger this could lead to more problems - and would be better just done with the pony on a leadrope.

NEVER be afraid to ask A good instructor/yard owner should be happy to help and should never make you feel stupid. If they do, ignore them and find someone with better manners! Good luck. We all have loads to learn, no matter how long we've been in the game...x
 
Honey08 said:
I don't think we are quite at the going to camp stage yet, but joining the local PC will do you no end of good, and put you in touch with some good local instructors. Your local yard/tack shop should be able to point you to a nearby one, or else go onto the pony club website and use their find a branch feature.

For the moment, perhaps bring the pony into the stable for four hours a night, and leave it with a slice of soaked hay to pick at. Get it to realise that it doesn't only come into be groomed and messed with - that the stable can be quite a nice place. To some extent, ignore a lot of the tantrums/protesting you may get at first. Let it become part of the routine.

Try and find someone experienced that could come and ride the pony for you. Thats what we did with my son's first pony, who was also a bolshy welsh dragon too. These little ponies come on so much if they have a lightweight experienced rider on now and again - otherwise they think they can push everyone about. These types are lovely ponies, and great fun once you iron out the early problems, but they can be 12h in height and 17h of attitude! Also try and find an instructor who can help your daughter (hopefully someone from PC).

With our 12h, I did a lot on the lunge, but theres no point in you lungeing her if you don't really know what you're asking. These busy ponies need things to keep them busy, or they look for evasions. We used to lunge ours over fences and handy pony obstacles etc, but if you're not a confident and experienced lunger this could lead to more problems - and would be better just done with the pony on a leadrope.

NEVER be afraid to ask A good instructor/yard owner should be happy to help and should never make you feel stupid. If they do, ignore them and find someone with better manners! Good luck. We all have loads to learn, no matter how long we've been in the game...x
Click to expand...

Very good advice:)
Just to add I wasn't saying to do pony club camp, I was answering another post that said pony club camp was for experienced riders only.

Might be worth asking any local riding schools about stable management lesson for parents as well, ours do these.
Best of luck ,you'll be fine.
 
MrsD123 said:
She won't be allowed to go to pony club camp unless she can canter and control the pony, you really will need to get help here even of you have to pay for it, it is not that usual to have to lunge a pony, and if you are not experienced it is likely that she is taking the p### on the lunge anyway.
did you buy her as a first pony, if so get back to vendor.
Click to expand...

Totally and utterly DISagree! I have taught for a few diff PC and the kids are all different abilities and the instructor teaches what is infront of them.

If she is under the age of 12 she would be in a junior ride where they range from not being able to rise to the trot to jumping. Some on the lead rein, some off and all sorts in between.

I would recommend going on the BHS register of intructors and ringin around chatting to the ones in your area and gauge which one would suit you the best. Another idea would be ring your PC and ask for recommendation of instructors and get one that is also involved in your PC.

Good luck! :)
 
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