New pony worries

[ester]

Send it back, even if it is unsettled this is not first pony behaviour it may well improve but it might also react the same in future unsettling environments. You don't want a pony where this is it's reaction to stress.

 

[ester]

Please send the pony back now.
Your first responsibility is to make sure your daughter doesn't get badly hurt. She will soon stop worrying about this pony when she has one that she can run up to and hug, take in a fancy dress parade etc - that is what a first pony should be able to cope with.
This dealer shouldn't be well-regarded . No way they should have sold a pony with thrush to begin with, let alone sold this as a first pony. It wasn't as described .

I am presuming you didn't get the pony vetted before purchase?
Start looking again and do get a vetting, (which will include whether the temperament is suitable for your proposed use, as well as picking up health issues).

OP says was vetted

 

[Goldie's mum]

OP says was vetted

Wow! Sorry, missed that bit. I'm shocked they missed the thrush!

 

[Equi]

Not all ponies have the temperament to be a good first kids pony. To save more heartache down the line send this pony back and get one more suitable.

 

[maya2008]

Not every pony settles in every environment. It might just be that your yard isn’t the place for this pony. I’ve seen that twice - an angelic Welsh A of ours who reacted badly to one new home while staying her sweet self in the next one we tried, and one that ended up here stressed and upset despite 3 months to settle and a decent home - who then reverted to the pony they had been told she was when at our yard.

If you paid the right price for a safe kids’ pony that doesn’t need an age to settle and will be perfect from the beginning, then you haven’t got that. So send pony back.

If you paid a lot less because of the ridden issues, then, all things considered, pony is just behaving on the ground in a way that matches behaviour under saddle. You’ve got a pony who needs time and experienced handling. Is that really what you and your daughter need?

 

[Goldie's mum]

@MaisyEric What was the pony's behaviour like at the vetting? Was she relaxed when the vet picked her feet up?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Your discussing the serious risk of being hurt while in a stable talking about a child pony. Thats not ok. It wont be worth the effort when the child is terrified and gives up riding, or worse, gets hurt, because like it or not, children new to owning ponies are not the ones who should be working through issues with kicking. And anything that kicks always has that as a go to. So if the pony gets a sore muscle, or is tired that day and cant be bothered with being ridden, the kicking is the go to for it.

This is a pony who when being gently brushed on the neck, is spinning with the intention to kick. Nothing I have ever owned would do that. Its nothing something a child pony should ever do without really extreme provocation.

Agree. I’ve had horses who have taken a while to settle and that’s fine, but no I’d not accept that from a child’s pony.
I could be certain if someone had my little pony he would behave the same as he does here anywhere. That’s what makes him a sweet boy

 

[ester]

Wow! Sorry, missed that bit. I'm shocked they missed the thrush!

Given the proportion of the population I see with it I'm not, I think it's become a bit the norm.

 

[onemoretime]

Hi, I just wanted some advice about our new pony who we collected this week for my daughter.

They've been at a well regarded dealers for a few weeks and been handled, groomed, bathed, hoof picked and ridden by their children, including taken to shows. Passed a 5 stage vetting.

Since being at our livery yard, pony seems very nervy and has done a lot of trying to bite and spinning to kick. She's not happy about anyone near her back end, belly or hoof picking which I understand is about her feeling anxious.

Managed to pick back hooves today after she's tried to kick me the past couple of days and she has bad thrush in the backs.

She tried to spin and kick my daughter while she was calmly grooming her neck. She doesn't give much warning and quickly puts her ears flat back and immediately spins. It doesn't feel like she is a safe pony on the ground at the moment.

We've got very good, knowledgeable grooms and riding instructors supporting.

I have been given a contract with two weeks to return the pony to the dealer. I would feel awful about that though and my daughters worried about where she'll end up.

Any advice appreciated. How long would you keep trying?

Dealers have a habit of lying and being economical with the truth!

 

[Perfectpony07]

I know it’s not what you want to hear, but I would send it back. The odd cheeky nip can be fixed but kicking is a worry & you got to think of the kids safety. It’s so disheartening and I know your kids will be gutted but Itl be worth it when you find the right fit GL x

 

[Caski]

Where has the OP gone?

Hopefully resolved the issue and returned the pony.. what happened to being able to get a hand me down at pony club!