New pony, first time buyer...help !!!

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billie56

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Hi, i wonder if anyone on here can advise me ??
I bought my daughter a 4 year old dartmoor gelding, my daughter is 14yrs old and i thought after a few years of riding she was ready.
Anyway we went to see the pony and he was sweet, seemed to ride well and would standand let you mess around with him.
He was good as gold, so we bought him.
We have had him 4 days and he has been a nightmare at the stables we have him at, wont go in the stable is biting and rearing up at people, escaping through electric fences, he wont be tied up and goes mad...The owners of the stable have told us he has to leave if he wont be stabled, they found him hard to handle...so me as mere novice am at my wits end.
I have been in touch with the previous owner, asking that she takes him back as he is too dangerous for my daughter on her own ( i work so dont have time ), but she has refused to take him, but is willing to help with some training...
Any ideas would be gratefully accepted..:confused:
 
That's so not what you want with a first pony :(

So many questions spring to mind:
First, what were his living circumstances prior to you buying him?
He may never have been stabled and is freaking out at it.
It sounds as though it's not just you finding the situation traumatic but also the pony.
I have to say a 4 year old is way too young as a first pony, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
The pony needs time to settle, and to be handled by someone experienced initially.
Do you have any horsey mates that can help?
Perhaps moving him to a yard with the right type of help available will be a good thing.

Was this a private sale or from a dealer? What does your receipt say?
Are you sure the pony is 4, and did you get them vetted prior to purchase?

More information would be helpful for people to best advise :)
 
You need experianced help fast do you know anyone who would help you?
Some horses and ponies react badly to moving homes I have seen two extreme cases of this both settled in time.
What do you know about the ponies history?
Did he come from a dealer ? in which case you have more chance of returning it
A four yo as I am sure you have worked out now is rarely a good idea for a first pony .
You need experianced advice quickly from someone on the ground who can see the pony and the behaviour and you need to be prepared to pay for that help .
 
My advice would be to take whatever help the old owner offers with regard training. Find out exactly what they mean first though - do they mean train themselves, or offer to pay for training? If they mean train themselves - get an experienced instructor to watch these people 'train' your pony on the first occassion and get an opinion as to whether they are really the best people to do so.

I'm afraid to say you have been (IMO) naive in buying your daughter a young pony after just a few years of riding and when you are novices yourselves as you say. Please don't get me wrong - this is not being nasty - it's spoken from experience. I had a horrible experience as a child with a pony in similar circumstances and it is very common.

I do hope you get things sorted - keep us posted!
 
You must be feeling desperate, not much consolation but most of us have done it! What type of pony is he? Is he a native type - bet he's a welshie, or a show pony? Sounds daft but have you looked into his eyes - is he bewildered or defiant? Did the seller breed him? There is so much you need to know. This could be another in a long line of frightening changes for him particularly if he was off the hills as a yearling and it could be just too much for him to cope with. Patience is always the answer, patience and consistency. If you don't feel up to it get him re homed before someone gets hurt. I wish you well.
 
firstly... anyone browsing this post as they are thinking of getting something
PLEASE learn from this...

if it makes you feel any better, when i first started out freelance most of my business came from people who had got themselves into this same situation

so, for now, we won't go into what you SHOULD have done...

it sounds like the yard insists on the pony being stabled much of the time...
as a general rule a first pony should live out (so he uses up a lot of his energy naturally),
on as close to fresh air as possible - no hard feed, no pony nuts (until your child has got a LOT more experience)
so if you can find a yard where he can live out, at least til the winter, that might solve some of the problems
BUT do not stick him in a friend's field - you need to be with experienced back up for at least the next 12 months- so find a good yard

if he was vetted (which i doubt) then the vet should have taken and stored a blood sample. get this analysed ASAP to check for evidence he was drugged- if he was they have to take him back whether they are a dealer or not - vet will back you up

help with training, ummmmm
if they know what they are doing, they'd already have done it!!!
i suspect this training will come with a significant price tag... don't go back to them, get someone local with a good track record instead, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY for this

if they are a dealer, and you can prove that (not easy) then you can force them to take it back IF YOU CAN SHOW GOOD REASON

i'm guessing it was sold 'as seen' in which case its caveat emptor.

i did succeed in getting a dealer to take a client's horse back once as the passport was for a totally different horse and we threatened them with DEFRA,
but they were very lucky the dealer made that mistake

even if the horse has an injury you would have to get a vet prepared to testify that the injury occured pre-purchase (unlikely)

so, realistically you are left with 2 options:

cut your losses, stick him through a sale OR sell him to a local producer as a project horse - expect to lose money

OR bite the bullet and pay someone who actually knows what they're doing to assess him, and then give you a quote for sorting him out

oh, and you'll need to pay for some lessons ongoing too
and look into whether anyone is offering stable management courses locally

DO LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH!!!!
 
I wouldn't get too down initially, I have seen these sorts of issues so many times.
Firslty, is the pony stabled much, and are you feeding it? Doyou use haylage?
I would ask the people to come out and see the pony, and see how they get on with it as a first point. I would also look to keep it somewhere it could live out, and to be honest it doesn't sound like they have been very supportive anyway, so aren't the best people to be with when you are new to this.
The pony was fine when you viewed it, so it may be that the move has really upset him, I take it they are local if they are willing to help with training? It may be worth moving to their yard on a short term basis if it was possible, as this would help you get used to the pony in an enviroment he knows.
You are not the first, and won't be the last, but I do think the last poster is being overly negative, 4 days is no time at all.
 
poor you:( a common mistake but really not suitable in your circumstances...... other may disagree but I suggest you cut your losses, see if you can return the pony to seller, even for a lesser price,ask the YO to take it on a sell for you or go to a reputable dealer and ask them to take the pony as part exchange and make sure you get something much more suitable. Older, more miles on the clock, proven record, full vetting, receipt and paperwork to go along with sale and stating some sort of return period and terms (read carefully ;) ). Yes you will lose money - easier in the long run to write this off and save yourself a whole heap of heartache,misery and ultimately risk.
 
zaminda said:
I wouldn't get too down initially, I have seen these sorts of issues so many times.
Firslty, is the pony stabled much, and are you feeding it? Doyou use haylage?
I would ask the people to come out and see the pony, and see how they get on with it as a first point. I would also look to keep it somewhere it could live out, and to be honest it doesn't sound like they have been very supportive anyway, so aren't the best people to be with when you are new to this.
The pony was fine when you viewed it, so it may be that the move has really upset him, I take it they are local if they are willing to help with training? It may be worth moving to their yard on a short term basis if it was possible, as this would help you get used to the pony in an enviroment he knows.
You are not the first, and won't be the last, but I do think the last poster is being overly negative, 4 days is no time at all.
Click to expand...

I'm with Zaminda - the pony's a baby and moving yards is a big deal for horses. For a baby pony, moving yards, changing routine and having new people handling him, his behaviour doesn't sound unexpected.

I've owned by 4 year old gelding since he was 8 months old and even he had a bout of screaming and rearing when we moved yards last year.

Take the previous owners up on their offer - chances are the pony will settle in the presence of people he knows. And if they're local, liverying at their yard wouldn't be a bad thing as the pony will be in an environment he's happy with while you get to know him, and the previous owners will be able to advise on any handling challenges.

Please don't ship him off to a sale or dealer - it would be a slippery slope for a scared young pony.

Good luck :)
 
I would be expecting a lot more help/assistance/support from the YO so would be thinking about finding a far more suitable yard with year round turnout and secure fencing!

The pony is young and is trying it on quite frankly so you need some help with training him. Quite frankly, ponies can be little shits if you allow them to be, so you need to set some ground rules and stick to them - just like a child.

Personally, I would suggest you move the pony to a more suitable yard - even if it is for 6 months. One that has good secure fencing, plenty of turnout, a school to ride in, safe hacking, knowledgeable people who will give advice and hands on help to train both the pony and you - yes you do need training. Ask at a local riding school or on here for something suitable near to you.

Dont fall out with the YO - just tell her that you need to move but if it all works out you might be back in a few months.

Best of luck. 4 days is NOTHING in horse ownership - give the pony a chance and never give up at the first hurdle!
 
Definitely get help - but not from the previous owners. I'd say if they cared that much, they'd take him back?

A young horse needs time to settle in and confident handling. He is probably very unsettled by the move.

Give it a few months with help - and if things don't change, cut your losses and find him a mire experienced home, and your daughter an older pony.

I bought a 4 yr old 2 months ago, from a family who had bought h for their 12 yr old daughter. It didn't work out at all for them, and both the pony and family were vey unhappy. 2 months on they have an older gelding that they are having lots of fun with , and I have
a fab pony who is so different, settled and happy with me. I have been riding a long time, and it took me 2 months of starting from
the beginning riding wise, and working my way through all the other important things - new shoes, teeth done, saddle done etc.

The right partnership is so important, and sometimes you have to accept that the two of you don't click.
 
Morning :)

What a nightmare, both for you and your daughter!

Although it might not be of any consolation, many, many horses and ponies can react badly to changing yards, and it can take a long time to settle down; so know you aren't alone in this!

From what you write, the freaking out etc sounds like a fear reaction. You don't say if you saw the pony stabled at the place where you bought him from, but have a think... was he stabled, or was he brought off grass; if he was stabled are the stables similar (inside/outside; light and airy or dark and pokey; are the stable doors of the same size etc.

Did you see him tied up at the old place? Where was he tied to (wall, fence etc). you say he doesn't tie, but is he frantically trying to get away; testing to see how far he can pull back or just a bit fidgety, moving around and being nosey as to what is going on round about.

I would expect a 4yo in a brand new place to be very fidgety, especially if he is being tied to a wall where he can't see anything going on round about.

Do you have access to any competent horsey people, perhaps from the riding school where your daughter had lessons? To me it sounds that the pony needs some calm, confident handling to make him feel a bit more secure.

Good luck :)
 
From what you've said I think you need to find a yard with experienced help on hand & full turnout. Poor thing sounds a nervous wreck & if your daughter is now scared it will only make it worse. You need somewhere where help is always at hand.
Don't take advice from whichever instructor you took with you to view the pony, they're obviously clueless to have recommended a 4yr old for a novice child with no experienced back up. Perhaps if you put exact location up people on here could recommend somewhere.
 
What an awful time for you in what should be one of the happiest moments of your lives. Having had many youngsters, all of them natives I understand where you are with this one and the feeling of being completely out of your depth. He is acting in a typical way where his anxieties are making him feel like a round peg in a square hole, then possibly through no fault of your own, your stress is fuelling this.
Firstly he needs more time to settle in, its very early days. You and your daughter need to be spending every spare minute with him. The more time spent the sooner the trust will build up.
Get a pressure halter (something like a dually), learn how to use it properly and start leading him teaching him the basic manners.
However he reacts to any situation keep yourself extremely calm, body language, voice and heart rate.
Don't feed him anything accept the most basic feed, no chaff, molasses, heating cereal. Just hay/grass, he's a native he needs nothing else at this point.
I agree that you need expert help, find someone you can trust that has experience with youngsters. He has the potential to be a super pony.
I hope it works out for you and if you do perservere you may well look back in a couple of years and say 'in hindsight this pony taught us more than we could of imagined'
Where in the country are you ??
 
Wow i am blown away with all the replies, thankyou everyone....
The good news is that i had a good chat with my daughter and we both agreed that he is staying with us.
Spoke to the YO who is willing to help us, or point us in the right direction.
We went to see him this morning and managed to bribe him into the stable with a few nuts and a haynet ( the last stable he was in, he jumped !) I think he hit his head as he came over, so this may have put him off.
He seems to be pals with another horse and in this new stable he could see him...
I took a tough stance with him, left him in the stable for a while and watched, he settled down after about 15 mins of dancing around.

We have even had him out and wait for it...tied up !! While i brushed him, he tried to bully me, but i bullied him back, seems to have done the trick, almost bust my nose in the proceed :)
I will be popping back here to read posts, seems like there are a lot of people who care enough to share their experience and wisdom...
Ps the poor little chap must be teething too, as he has lost a baby tooth today..
 
OK, well done you for calming down and realising that 4 days is NOTHING in the scale of things where horse ownership is concerned. May I say straight off the bat that I thing buying a 4 year old for a 14 year old (with non-horsey connections, by the sound of things, no offence) was foolish. But... nil desperandum; with some calm handling, a lot of time and rational thought/patience you may be able to turn things around for both your daughter and the pony. BUT, you will need experienced, dare I say it PROFESSIONAL, help. Otherwise you may be eligable to join my new club - the "Overhorsed Club".
 
Hi Billie56. :D

I'm glad to read that your YO will help you, support from someone experienced will really help both you and your daughter with your young pony.

Training youngstock is very rewarding but it can be quite a rollercoaster, so accept that you will have 'blips' along the way and don't let them upset you. :)

I would treat your pony as if he isn't used to being stabled (especially as he had a scary experiance) and try to make the stable a nice place for him. Bring him in and feed him in there. Slowly increase the time that he spends in it.

With tying up, if he pulls back on the rope and it goes tight, ask him to walk on a step so that the rope goes loose again. He will soon learn to do this himself, rather than panicing when the rope goes tight.

The main thing is to stay calm around him. Quickly prase good behaviour (say 'good boy' and rub his neck), and quickly correct bad behaviour. The correction that is needed depends on what he is doing wrong. EG if he's pulling on the leadrope whan he's tied up, ask him to walk on a step as mentioned above. If he's pushng into you when you are leading him, ask him to move over/away from you. If he nips you (I'm not saying that he will ;) ) then I find that yelling 'OI!' is very effective, especially if you are normally quiet and gentle with your tone of voice. Once you have corrected a 'bad' behaviour, move on and forget it, infact carry on as if it never happened. This can be hard, especially if he frightened you, but it is actually quite important.

I was told that you have three seconds to correct or praise any behaviour. After that time has passed, the horse will not associate the correction/praise with the behaviour that he did.

I like to put an extra long leadrope (9 - 10ft) on the headcollar and wear gloves when I lead my youngsters about. Although he is four, he does sound unsettled and anything that makes it easier and safer, is always good. ;)

As others have said - even old, normally placid horses can be very upset by a change of yard and ownership.


ETA
Definitely get help - but not from the previous owners. I'd say if they cared that much, they'd take him back?
Click to expand...

I don't agree. If they are willing to help and you want their help, then this is a good offer as he knows them. They may not be in a position to have him back (maybe they had to sell due to financial issues?)
 
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OP - I am so glad you are feeling brighter. Its so hard to watch a distressed pony and it sounds like the YO were not very supportive. I am surprised they didnt say anything to you like 'dont buy a youngster'??

I think I would be thinking of moving yards? Anyway, I really really hope this all works out, you obviously have the very best of intentions and unfortunatley the experienced people around you have not helped you at all.

How did he get into a situation to jump....how dangerous...if is was this stressed he should have been taken out of the stable or a weave bar/ bar of sorts should have put put across the top. I would be feeling very let down by the YO's at this point. If they insist on stabling they should have discussed whether he has been stabled before you got him....they should be hekping you and not piling on the pressure.

Really hope he settles, I still cannot get my youngster to stay in the stable for long, had him 6 weeks but he is not used to stables and we have a busy yard. I knew this would be a problem and discussed it before he came to the yard...either way my YO is experienced has had other horses who did not settle well, she just does what needs to be done...like leaving them out 24/7 until they are more confident. She has never added to my worry, just been supportive.

I feel for you and I hope it all works out for you...be aware of how many people will be making unhelpful comments while you try to work through this...because believe me there will be a few! If you need moral support then come on this forum and hopefully you will get mostly supportive replies!!
 
the best bit of advice i got (ive had horses before but still class myself as a novice) was ''never let the pony win a battle'' basically if she wont go in the stable, do not stop trying until she is in, if she naps to the gate, make her go past it 100 times over
every battle is progress, even if it is a pain in the ass at the time:o
PS we like pics on here ;)
 
Glad everything seems to be calming down and good luck with the pony, I just wanted to say how surprised I am at the amount of people saying, ooh you shouldn't have bought a youngster. Once it has been said two or three times I wouldn't have thought it worth repeating?:confused:
If the pony has a nice nature and is just nervous, then I think you are doing the right thing with giving it a lot more time and handling. When it comes to bring the pony on you can might want to get some help in.
 
So glad to read that more encouraging post and that your YO is going to help you .
Spend as much time as you can with him I know you said you are stretched for time but it will pay you back if you do.
Keep us all posted have fun and enjoy it both of you.
 
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