Pony advice

a kind of magic

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In our little 'herd' we also own a 13hh 3 1/2 year old unreg new forest pony. He came to me a couple of years ago and is a really lovely little pony and a great character.

As far as I know was taken off the forest as a yearling shortly before going to the sales, however this can't be confirmed as I have written to his breeder to ask about him and she won't reply.

He is with a friend at the moment being slowly broken in but he is a very nervous character. When he was gelded the vet was unbelievably horrible (another story-don't use those vets anymore!!) and I don't think he's ever really recovered, whenever you do something new with him it is a VERY big ask. They are taking things very gently with him because of this so as not to over face him with anything and he is progressing, albeit at a snail pace, but it is making for very good foundations. We hope to have him back again end of July or early August.

My dilemma is, what do with him when he is finally ridden away under saddle! He is really too small for me (long legged 5ft 8, I am losing weight so I should be OK to ride him if needs be weight wise by then though) so although it would be alright to keep him ticking over in the short term I really need to find a longer term solution.

I am VERY flexible with arrangments, somebody could ride him and keep him with our horses, or move him to their yard and treat him as their own and everything in between but I don't particularly want to sell him as I wouldn't want him to end up in the wrong hands due to his nervous nature. The more he is worked, the happier he is but it's not going to be a quick fix. If he went on loan it would be with a suitable loan contract in place.

Has anybody had a similar situation? If needs be he can just stay in our herd as a foal playmate and general companion but he's smashing little pony and could actually be a great little ride or showing pony for someone!

Will dig out some pics of the little chap shortly!
 
I would carry on with ground work and long-reining/lungeing. Could you do some low key in hand showing? you may meet a suitable young jockey,a nd it will all be good grounding for the pony.
 
What about speaking to your local PC branch? See if they have any youngsters looking for a pony - just make sure they know about his disposition. :)
 
I have the same with an ickle pony of mine, luckily I tow my little boy around on her once a week on the lead rein, all other times I long rein, lunge and literally walk miles round the roads on her....I am also 5'8 and have recently had a hysterectomy so can't ride as yet, but when I can I shall jump on her and ride her :)
 
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