Pony bite my daughter

[Luci07]

but a little unfair to jump on board. You must remember that the written word may come across in a different manner from that which was intended!

Years ago my neighbour did the same and bought a 4 year old exmoor. Well bred and put together but proved to be quite a handful. Pony was backed but neighbour could never let it near her daughter. Pony ended up being swapped for a very very elderly and ugly dun pony from a local riding school. Pony blossomed into a very smart sec b and I have fond memories of watching the small child dragging said pony up the drive (under supervision!). Pony was very "merrylegs" though in that it would put up with anything from the small child and quite happily buck off the older brothers who knew it all. Pony;s name was also elongated to Evansy b**ger which, as we had a part time gardener called Mr Evans, got us into a lot of trouble!

 

[Ibblebibble]

I think you have hit the nail on the head when you say the pony was bullied in his last field.

I read a really good article a while ago which explained that when ponies are the bottom of the pecking order in a field, they will often try to be above something else, even if it is a human. They described it as 'misplaced play activity' which makes sense - they get bitten in the field, so in turn they bite a little person. He is testing to see if he can be above your daughter. So not evil, but equally not acceptable.

As others have said, be firm and let him know it's not acceptable, without frightening him.

interesting as my daughters first pony was kept in a large barn with about 10 other ponies at the riding school we bought him from,looking back now he seemed to be quite low down in the pecking order and when we first had him he was fine with me and OH but would try and shove the kids around and even managed to kick my daughter through the fence in the first week we had him, she was about 4 then, she wasn't hurt and actually doesn't remember it now so no lasting damage done.
one of her ponies now we've had since he was 5 months old, he is not comfortable with having people both sides of him, too much for his brain to cope with lol

 

[Nic]

Why an unbroken 4 year old for such a young child? Why not a been there done that 15 year old for her to grow confidence with?

Because there is not an unending supply of ready made 15yo ponies in the world. Someone somewhere has to do the work to get them from being babies to schoolmasters.

OP: lesson learned, pony is unsettled & could use some 1 on 1 time to get used to you ( and vice versa) without a wee person complicating things for now.

 

[Dancing Queen]

let he who is without sin cast the first stone!

Its done - its happened no point beating yourself up about it and there are some people who like to be very judgemental. No one is perfect and you have learnt a hard lesson - one which will no be repeated.

You need to ensure daughter hasnt lost any confidence around him, like others have said he could have been ticklish, or it could have been meant nastily. I would allow daughter to carry on grooming him, but stand by his head to prevent him turning to get her. Watch him and his ears - take care around the backend.

I hope that a good relationship is struck up and you all go on to have fun together.

 

[Brandy]

I agree with posters who have said they wouldn;t have bought such a young pony for such a young child. Saying that, she already has a pony and you have the time and experience to bring the new one on and teach him manners etc.

Also agree that I wouldn't have had a small child anywhere near the pony in the first few days, let alone on the other side, but as others have said, lesson learnt hopefully.

Some young ponies can be angels once they have been taught and I hope yours turns out to be such a pony, and your daughter makes the transition well.

I would, in the meantime, spend time by yourself with the pony, and gradually introduce your daughter. If pony shows no further signs biting, then I would carefully allow her to groom, while keeping close by. You don;t know the pony yet and I would wait a good while before alowing her to actually handle him.

Hope it all works out.