New pony problems - is it too early to give up?!

Will the old owner come out to you and see if they can help you? I think they need to be aware that you aren't happy with the pony but give them the option of coming to ride the pony and giving some tips - but be clear that if the issues aren't ironed out quickly you would like to return the horse as it is not suitable for you.

The only horse I've had that was tricky when it arrived was still tricky a year later, the others have all behaved well enough from day one and I buy four to twelve year olds. Bucking people off isn't acceptable so see if your instructor and the old owner can spot a reason for it that you can sort, but if not, I think try and send it back quick.
 
There are plenty of safe sane first ponies out there and somehow I don't think they've all (if any) had lobotomies. Poor OP, fancy not realising that she had to be prepared to use her child as a crash test dummy to let it be the making of her!

If all checks out (tack ok etc) and the pony's too sharp for the child it was bought for then at what point do you decide to give in - when someone's injured? What shame is it in admitting that it's the wrong pony? There are plenty of kids out there that have been over horsed and scared to death as a result when it could have been very different for them.
 
We have first ponies in the riding school as they are ideal for children to learn to ride on. We expect theses ponies, if described as a first pony, to arrive, settle in for the day, be assessed by a staff member on the lunge then under Saddle on the second day and if as described be used on lessons on the third. A first pony should not Buck or bolt. Totally unacceptable.
 
I would expect a pony sold as a first pony not to behave like that.

A first pony should have enough experience to be able to go to a new place and be able to cope well enough to be safe for a child to get on within a day or too.

However like others have said avoid rides where you have to come back the way you came and also trying to hack out in company the first few times is normally recommended.

Had the previous owners had the pony for long? If so the pony might have got institutionalised and not be coping with change well. Sometimes they get attached to other ponies when they first move to a new yard for security and also having to cope with new owners as well.
 
Echo bravo- again I agree, many top riders rode difficult ponies at a young age, difference is they'd been riding long before they got the difficult ponies, so they weren't first ponies.
And my 7 yr olds pony is a rising 5yr old who is not at all quiet, & acts her age as you'd expect. Also she cost £10 as a foal, so doesn't fit your description. Difference is that daughter was riding before she was walking & its not her first pony, neither would I describe or sell it as a first pony.
 
I agree with those saying a first pony should have manners from the day it arrives. Do we give them 2 years to settle in at a show I think not. Every time all of us compete at whatever we do we expect basic manners without the horse having plenty of time to settle in.
I perhaps would not expect a pony for an experienced rider not to settle in straight away as mainly be sharper but a child's first pony absolutely.
We have had our pony for 2 weeks not my daughters first and speedyish pony and they just went and done a dressage competition placing with a well mannered pony. Pony is 6 daughter 8. My child's safety is my priority and I will not put up with a sharp, stupid fresh, bucking, rearing, bolting pony for a second. Even with the perfect first pony there is a risk it's horse riding but at least with a well mannered one you know the risk is reduced greatly.
 
I've stood and watched children with naughty ponies, for some they have the determination to carry on and sometimes get the pony round, but so often the pony wins and the child ends up dispirited,disappionted and losing interest.
I could never afford to buy made ponies for my children when they were young but fortuately for them I had the time and knowledge to spend on them and their ponies, but the ponies how ever unschooled were never ungenuine and went on to be 'made' ponies that were 'made' by my children and the hours trailing on foot by me behind them. An ideal but not everyone has the time and the knowledge.
I bought a 'made' pony from a friend, someone else had done the hardwork and from day one you could do anything with him and take him anywhere. His job in life is now 'make' children and no he has not had a lobotomy he adjusts his pace and outline to the rider experience what ever their size but will put in a spook if he thinks( or you think) you can ride.
Not every child that rides aspires to be a top rider, most of us learn to swim but not many of use compete or expect to be world beaters. Most children just want to have fun on their ponies and their parents just want them to be safe.
I would like to also say that a good childrens pony even in todays market if its not aged has got to be worth £1500-2500 depending on size and if you've spent less expect ifs, buts and be prepared to put in the work.
 
I'd be tempted to have it's back checked over, just in case it's done something travelling to you, or gone a over t in the field in the last two weeks.

If something like that is not the problem, then it probably isn't first pony material.
 
I don't think anyone's having a go, certainly not at the op anyway. She posted a problem, gave insufficient information to get any useful answers and despite several polite requests, hasn't "padded out" the question.
 
I think the OP is allowed to step away from the computer for the evening. Having read some of the miserable unsupportive comments on here, I wouldn't blame her if she didn't come back
 
Op,

It is quite plausable that the pony was very well behaved in its previous home. It is only 7 while not a baby baby is still quite young for a first pony. They can be very green at this age although it doesnt sound like this one is. It is an age where they can pick up bad habits quickly

I would definatly avoid riding up and down the road. I nearly always do circular rides with my horses and vary it regularly.

Riding and turning round really encourages napping which it sounds like your pony has started to do. They very very qucikly work out that they have to turn around to go home and want to turn earlier and earlier and get keener and keener to get home.

you may have unwittingly caused this problem (I am not saying you have, the pony could have been mis sold)

I would take the pony out on the lead rein even if it means a lot of walking for you. And stick to circular routes for a while see if his behaviour improves
 
I agree that it would be beneficial to vary the route, ponies learn quickly and if he knows that he just goes up the road and turns for home then if he's a bit unsure of himself / his new environment or if he's just being cheeky and testing you out (as most horses do for new owners), he can quickly start to take advantage.
It could be that he's nervous of going out alone as he doesn't really know you yet and he's in a place that's completely new to him (therefore wants to return home where he knows its "safe"), is it possible for another (well behaved) pony to accompany you along the road to give him confidence?
Being 7 he is still quite young and may be full of beans due to the grass and the light workload he currently has, is he on any hard feed or has his routine changed much since his last home?
Would it be possible for the old owners to come down and ride him, if they're close enough then I think this may really help. Hope he settles soon, 2 weeks isn't a long time for a horse to settle to new people in a new place, so try to stay positive, and be firm but fair with him. x
 
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Echo Bravo said:
Lord it's like taking a 4 year old child to school on their first day and expect them to understand all the rules and abide with them.:(:(:(:(
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Mine did!

As for this poor mum with the errant new pony, if it were for you, I'd say keep it and get help. As it's for your very young child, I would seriously consider asking the seller to take it back. Buy something older, wiser, a proper schoolmaster. Your daughter is far too young to be dealing with all of that.
My first pony was seven, a love in the stable and a little s*** to ride. He bucked, napped, had the dirtiest stop at fences. I fell off him all the time. God knows how I survived (still have a bad back because of him). But this was in the bad old 70s when parents were a bit casual with their kids' safety. We didn't even wear hats! And I was older, 13.
As fun as it sounds in retrospect, I really don't think it's the best way to instil confidence in a child.
 
I too would like to know what sort of yard OP is at and how many horses you've had before? I suspect your main problem with this pony is a lack of exercise. All of ours have been a bit wild the last few weeks and even my normally well behaved horse has been a total wotsit. The turning round on the road and coming home is likely set even the most mild mannered horse off.
I know you say your mum and you ride the pony up and down the lane but maybe some more constructive exercise is needed. I am not a mother but I regularly see the local PC mothers riding and leading their children's ponies or riding them out themselves over some quite long distances.
 
I haven't read all the pages but we had almost the exact same problem with my first pony nearly 60 years ago!!! Simple problem. Pony had been in a riding school with plenty of slow work and restricted feed.......pony arrived at our place, turned out into a 3 acre paddock and had limited exercise under saddle...!!!! It did take a bit of time for us to understand, lots of walking around the lanes with pony following dad!!! We should have restricted the grazing, but didn't know enough to do this!!! A track system around the outside of the paddock and plenty, that is lots and lots of slow walking exercise will work wonders!!! By the way, pony used to nap with me, just gently, at a walk!! Until I lost my temper, lifted my legs away from her sides and booted her one!!!! We had no problems from then on and formed a wonderful partnership!!! All the best of good luck for another wonderful partnership to be made!!
 
Sounds like the poor little guy is genuinely upset at the move.

I know it takes our little cob six months to settle after every move, even when she moves with her horsey friends and us, the other two dont care.

Honestly I think 7 is young for a pony to be described as a first pony. I prefer first ponies to be older, not always the case, I accept.

Agree with checking out tack. Also cheeky question here, how heavy are you, you say he bucked when you got on. Combination of heavier than he is used to adult rider and tack that doesn't fit quite right could explain it.

Another vote for never turning for home unless you know it doesn't bother your horse, not something to try on the first few rides.

I would also never try to get a new horse to ride past its field entrance while traffic was about. Far better to chicken out and get off until the road is clear. Even experienced older horses might object to that.

Even if you have nowhere to school, get an instructor out to work with you. If you explain the circumstances many would still help.

And there is nothing wrong with taking him for some walks, stop for a bit of grass, have a chat etc etc. It helps you bond with him and he gets used to his new home in non threatening circumstances.
 
I might be reading your post wrongly, but you say he's fine when lead but that when you or your mum rode him (presumably without a foot soldier) he was terrible. Is he perhaps more used to being led around by an adult with a child on board so that he's always had someone to follow and that he gets panicky when he's in the front?
 
PeterNatt said:
I always allow 2 full years for a new horse to settle down.
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Are you kidding me!? Mine are expected to settle almost straight away after a move. I don't do 'time to settle in' with my ponies and personally feel you get more problems if you don't just crack straight on!

If the OP gives the pony TWO YEARS shes going to have a child who loses all confidence and probably eats dirt on a constant basis. She brought a childrens pony, not an ex racer. The behavior being displayed is unacceptable for ANY horse given any amount of time, I would be sending it straight back to the owner.
 
2 weeks?
i would expect a pony to move in, and be doing the job it was bought for immediately.

TBH OP, you need to be a bit firmer with the little monkey, and be in charge.
Hack out, but dont turn in the road to come home..try and do a circuit..if a circuit takes a extra hour, the so beit.
the pony needs to get a grip on who is Alpha..and ATM it seems its the pony
 
IMO this is not a 1st pony, having said that I would not have bought a pony yet until you could use a field or a menage to ride in for your daughter to get to know the pony and be confident before taking it on the road. I take it that it is a small pony - how heavy are you and your mother - it sounds as if you may be too heavy for it and it has learned how to get out of an uncomfortable situation and be naughty and will do this until it is sorted out. Not the pony's fault I'm afraid. You need to ride it in a safe environment and get to know it - sounds as if you need to get help.
 
I asked this question earlier. Is the pony on its own? OP has not been back to answer as far as I can see. But this kind of behaviour problem is indicative of a frightened and unsettled animal, not naughtiness. I am surprised at some of the lack of compassion shown for the pony by some of the responents. The pony was lovely when the OP tried it. This is its true nature (unless it was doped!).
 
Sorry - not read all the posts - OP did you have pony vetted? Is it worth getting the blood checked? If all checks out ok and assuming saddle teeth etc all ok, I would maybe consider moving to a yard where there is a school and someone experienced around -he could still be the perfect pony but sounds like he needs a firm hand till he gets to know you and knows that he can't mess around with you. My first pony many years ago napped like mad with me and my sister- somedays used to walk halfway round the school and then bolt back to the gate and refuse to move from it! Luckily a very firm YO/RI took charge and less than a year later my sister was winning all local WHP classes on her! Good luck with the pony!
 
Get to the point said:
This happened to me. A mixture of an ill fitted saddle and unfamiliar surroundings were the culprits. Do. Not. Give. Up.
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I know this was a while ago but thanks for your comment! We bought a new saddle, moved to a more suitable and safe field and the pony is fab! He still has his issues..new ones everyday infact lol....but we didn't give up on him!:D
 
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