New pony and first time owner

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Bambii72

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Hi everyone,

I bought a pony six days ago, and things aren’t going quite as planned. When I went to view her, she used to put her ears back and pull faces when being saddled, but didn’t do anything else — she just seemed a bit grumpy about it.

Now that she’s home, she’s started kicking out when I do up the girth. When I tried her before buying, she was walking, trotting, cantering, and jumping nicely in the school, and cantered happily in an open field. But when I lunged her recently, she just wouldn’t canter at all, which is a big change from how she was a week ago.

I’m not sure if she’s just settling in and testing the boundaries, or if it could be pain-related. The only other change is that she’s now on haylage, whereas she was previously on hay.

Has anyone experienced something similar, or have any advice on whether this sounds more like a settling-in issue or something physical that needs checking?

Thanks in advance
 
Is the horse from a dealer or a private seller? I would also ask was the horse vetted?

In addition, some horses don't do well on haylage. I've had to change mine over due to a shortage of hay but one can only go half and half. 6 days is a short time for this change in diet especially if you just simply changed instead of adding in haylage gradually.
 
Hi so when I got her the yard I’m at said it used hay but it’s actually haylage so she had no choice but to switch straight over. I’m in the process of switching her back to hay very slowly as she also has runny poos. Yes she has all new tack. It was a private sale and I’ve spoken to the previous owners who is really shocked to hear this as she was really good for them. Yes she has been lunged by my friend (who is very experienced) and she would walk and trot fine but just would not canter. And no I stupidly didn’t get a vetting done. She was mainly used for hacking so I hand walked her down the road and she was perfect. She’s a 17 year old cob
 
It could be so many things but the fact that the pony was girthy before you bought her suggests to me that something physical is going on. Something that in her previous home and routine she was "sucking up" to a certain extent, but now in a new home, new routine with a new owner and different feed, has now escalated and she's telling you clearly that something is wrong.

I'd definitely speak to the seller to get their opinion and advice but also your vet to check her out. It could be ulcers, back pain, hocks, neck, who knows. You need a professional to examine her and give you a plan. Good luck, hopefully it will be something that is easily resolved and then you can get on with getting to know your new pony and enjoying your time together.
 
You say she has runny poo’s? How runny? That would be something I’d want checking. And it may just be the haylage but could be worms or many other things. I’d get the vet to give her a once over. Can’t hurt. I wouldn’t ride her until she’s been seen. Hand walk if it’s safe to do so without the saddle.
 
You say that she was girthy to saddle up on the viewing, I wonder if she has ulcers? and the sudden change onto haylage has aggravated them. Some grades of haylage can be a bit acidic on their tummies.
Have you tried feeding her a scoop of chaff before working her to help provide a protective mat on her tummy to catch the acid splash? The happy hoof would do for this ok.
 
Two of the mares I've had have been "girthy". Neither had ulcers but both had been broodmares and only broken in as a second career. I wonder too if your pony actually understands she is supposed to canter when your friend lunged her, if she's mainly hacked she may not. Will the previous owner come out and see what they think?
 
Well I would start by saying it’s been six days…

Then:
- Did she get run around in the field with her new buddies and is possibly sore?
- What breed is she? Was she in the previous home for a long time and is missing her old people and pony friends?
- How rich is your grass?
- Is she cantering under saddle with you?
 
maya2008 said:
Well I would start by saying it’s been six days…

Then:
- Did she get run around in the field with her new buddies and is possibly sore?
- What breed is she? Was she in the previous home for a long time and is missing her old people and pony friends?
- How rich is your grass?
- Is she cantering under saddle with you?
Click to expand...
She’s a cob. The yard she’s at has no proper winter turn out but she’s been in a turnout paddock. She’s a cob. She was there about 6 months
 
Ok so she’s a 17 year old cob from a private home who have owned her for some time? You’ve bought her new tack - did you have a saddle fitter out? Where did the new tack come from - is it a reputable brand? Are you sure the bridle fits correctly and the bit is comfortable?
She’s moved from a private yard with plenty of turn out to one with very limited amounts?
Could she be just totally fed up as well as being uncomfortable in her new tack and strange surroundings???
 
gallopingby said:
Ok so she’s a 17 year old cob from a private home who have owned her for some time? You’ve bought her new tack - did you have a saddle fitter out? Where did the new tack come from - is it a reputable brand? Are you sure the bridle fits correctly and the bit is comfortable?
She’s moved from a private yard with plenty of turn out to one with very limited amounts?
Could she be just totally fed up as well as being uncomfortable in her new tack and strange surroundings???
Click to expand...
Yes quite possibly. It’s a secondhand wintec saddle. I have a saddle fitter booked to come out in a couple of weeks.
 
Why did l think it would be a secondhand wintec!!! Wintecs tend not to fit cobs although they may be ok for some. You really need a properly qualified saddle fitter who hopefully will have a range of suitable second hand saddles. The thorowgood T4 cob saddle sometimes works out ok. Do make sure you use a saddle fitter who is experienced with cobs and maybe wait until you’ve had the saddle checked before riding her. You can do lots just walking out in hand.
 
Have you ridden her before OP.

So in the last week she has had a new home, change of owner, change of forage, minimal turnout and new tack? No wonder she is in a grumpy mood.

You need to find her somewhere with better turnout and spend low of time doing groundwork. You also need a vet check (I’d be thinking ulcers in girthy) but at 17 she could well be arthritic too. Has she had her teeth done recently? They could be causing her pain.

Get her a vet check and give her chance to settle. Lots of grooming and groundwork too.

I hate wintecs personally. They are so hard and banana shaped so not great for cobs. A livery on my farm had one in her cob and it literally rocks like a seesaw and comes up a good 3 inches at the back!
 
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