New home - settling in issues

[Nikkimac23]

We have just brought home my daughters first pony
She has ridden/lessons/ loan for several years and I had ponies in my teens but we still feel quite green so just seeking advice

she is rising 5 cob mare and was sold to us with no vices said to be good as gold in every way farrier etc
My daughter rode her in the arena and a short hack when we viewed her and she was perfect

she’s been with us a week and has been pretty good no problem on the couple of hacks out we have had other than a little bit of napping mostly when going up the lane from the yard - I suspect she’s mostly been hacked in company as was from a livery yard

my main issue is she don’t pick up her front feet! With some consistency and perseverance she’s picking up her hinds but didn’t right refusing her front - old owner reports she was a little like this previously but has been fine with them
The other thing is she’s not keen on being tied up when brought in to groom tack etc but stands good as hols for this when held

do you think this is just her age and settling in to her new environment any thoughts or tips welcome
Tia x

 

[Barton Bounty]

She is just a baby still, its all just practise with a young horse, try lifting her leg up with lots of praise and a little treat and she will soon get the hang of it, same with tying up, lots of praise , leave her and then go back tell her shes a good girl and repeat. As for the napping, it’s probably just unusual surroundings she will get better, make sure your daughter stays confident ?

 

[Highmileagecob]

Cobs have a good sense of humour and you may find she is leaning all her weight on the leg you are trying to lift, whilst watching you struggle with ears pricked and a cheeky grin! It sometimes helps if you ask an assistant to have her step back, and as she takes the weight off the leg, lift it for as long as you feel safe. Lots of praise, but no treats! We had the exact same problem with our cob. If you did manage to lift a front leg he would sink to his knees - took a few days for him to realise that he wouldn't fall over.

 

[Winters100]

The thing with young horses is that they can be unpredictable, and also at times test you. She is still in need of educating, so my advice would be to get a trainer and work closely with them. A youngster as a first horse is a huge challenge, and it is essential that she is not allowed to develop bad habits.

 

[Pmf27]

My loan pony is a similar age (a little older) than yours and she was also an absolute pain for letting me pick up her feet at first!

She'd have me dancing all around the stable trying to catch her, as she'd just walk away every time I attempted to pick up her feet - or plant them when I got hold of her.

Now, six months in, she's absolutely fine. I put it down to her not knowing me and it being a trust thing, so it could be that you just need to give it time - me and pony have no issues at all now, she picks her feet up every time and is as good as gold.

 

[ihatework]

You have bought a 4yo so you will need to be prepared to be very consistent in her ongoing training.

 

[Quigleyandme]

How are you asking? Are you running your hand firmly down her leg until you get to her pastern and saying “up” or something similar and lowering her foot to the ground rather than just dropping it? Are you making sure she is standing square before you ask? Young horses need to learn to organise themselves. I actually had a horse that would only pick up his feet in a certain order - front left, front right, back right, back left - any variation and he would plant so you could try being consistent that way too. There’s probably a plethora of videos on the subject on YouTube as it’s not an uncommon issue.

 

[LaurenBay]

I'd be looking at getting a good instructor to help you both on the ground and ridden. A 4 YO is still only a baby so this is a crucial time in her life.

 

[Landcruiser]

We have just brought home my daughters first pony
She has ridden/lessons/ loan for several years and I had ponies in my teens but we still feel quite green so just seeking advice

she is rising 5 cob mare and was sold to us with no vices said to be good as gold in every way farrier etc
My daughter rode her in the arena and a short hack when we viewed her and she was perfect

she’s been with us a week and has been pretty good no problem on the couple of hacks out we have had other than a little bit of napping mostly when going up the lane from the yard - I suspect she’s mostly been hacked in company as was from a livery yard

my main issue is she don’t pick up her front feet! With some consistency and perseverance she’s picking up her hinds but didn’t right refusing her front - old owner reports she was a little like this previously but has been fine with them
The other thing is she’s not keen on being tied up when brought in to groom tack etc but stands good as hols for this when held

do you think this is just her age and settling in to her new environment any thoughts or tips welcome
Tia x

Congratulations on your new pony. How old is your daughter?

When you say brought home, do you mean to your home and if so does she have company? If not, you need some for her urgently.

With regards to tying, Idolo ties (google them) and a long rope (at least 10 ft) are a game changer. I bought a pack of 6 - I have them everywhere, and on my trailer too.

Feet. Do NOT give treats, unless you are very experienced, have impeccable timing, and are doing clicker training. Otherwise (and even then) you are likely setting yourself up for a nippy bullying horse. I have owned 2 horses with big problems lifting feet. The best tool I have fund is a slim rope looped round the fetlock. With fronts you can pull the leg out forwards first, once it's up you can get it with your hand and bend back as normal. Key is to hand on if you can, even if horse mucks about, until horse relaxes, even for a second, then put foot down...and repeat, daily, twice a day, more. IME you can ditch the rope as soon as horse gets the idea. My youngster has gone from trying to kick my block off, dropping down, or half rearing, to nicely lifting her feet in turn as I run my hand down her legs. You need to make sure with a youngster that she's standing square and knows what you are doing, running the hands down and than lifting and putting down kindly and calmly.

 

[Nikkimac23]

Congratulations on your new pony. How old is your daughter?

When you say brought home, do you mean to your home and if so does she have company? If not, you need some for her urgently.

With regards to tying, Idolo ties (google them) and a long rope (at least 10 ft) are a game changer. I bought a pack of 6 - I have them everywhere, and on my trailer too.

Feet. Do NOT give treats, unless you are very experienced, have impeccable timing, and are doing clicker training. Otherwise (and even then) you are likely setting yourself up for a nippy bullying horse. I have owned 2 horses with big problems lifting feet. The best tool I have fund is a slim rope looped round the fetlock. With fronts you can pull the leg out forwards first, once it's up you can get it with your hand and bend back as normal. Key is to hand on if you can, even if horse mucks about, until horse relaxes, even for a second, then put foot down...and repeat, daily, twice a day, more. IME you can ditch the rope as soon as horse gets the idea. My youngster has gone from trying to kick my block off, dropping down, or half rearing, to nicely lifting her feet in turn as I run my hand down her legs. You need to make sure with a youngster that she's standing square and knows what you are doing, running the hands down and than lifting and putting down kindly and calmly.

Hi thank you for your advice

my daughter nearly 15 and yes the pony has company she’s on livery with 3 others

we have cracked the back feet no problem but still struggling with her fronts it’s almost like she feels unbalanced im currently standing at her far side to help support her as ky daughter picks up her other foot for some support but she really feels as though she just doesn’t feel steady

 

[Arzada]

Hi thank you for your advice

my daughter nearly 15 and yes the pony has company she’s on livery with 3 others

we have cracked the back feet no problem but still struggling with her fronts it’s almost like she feels unbalanced im currently standing at her far side to help support her as ky daughter picks up her other foot for some support but she really feels as though she just doesn’t feel steady

Setting a horse up with the diagonal hind further back than the hind on the same side as the being-picked-up-foot generally gives a more stable position. When she gives her foot to you just rest it lightly in your hand keeping it near the ground and then gently lower your hand giving her foot back to her. As she becomes more confident you'll be able to lift her foot higher. While she gains confidence you can clean her foot with it quite low to the ground.

 

[Wishfilly]

Rising 5, so not 5 until next year? Really, she is just a baby, and she may well both be confused and testing the boundaries. Has she moved yards/homes before? If not, that is obviously a big shock, and may well explain the nappiness etc. She will also likely be changing shape, and will continue to do so as she matures, so it's important to get things like saddle fit checked regularly.

In terms of the front feet thing, it could be a bit of a balance issue, so she is less keen to do it. Others have given you good advice about this, but there will be a reason she's not keen to do it, and I think it's important to be sympathetic.

Do you have experienced help available e.g. via an instructor/yard owner? She is only young and it's important to set her up well for life now.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Standing a young horse near a wall usually gives them confidence that they won't fall over if they puck up their feet. A technique I was taught by a very wise very experienced farrier who started his career with farming horses, which we have used effectively with every young/unbalanced horse since.

 

[PotofEarlGrey]

Standing a young horse near a wall usually gives them confidence that they won't fall over if they puck up their feet. A technique I was taught by a very wise very experienced farrier who started his career with farming horses, which we have used effectively with every young/unbalanced horse since.

What a great technique!