Pony rearing in new home?

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Horses24-7

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Hi all

I put my daughters first pony on loan as I felt he would enjoy giving another child a good start like he did her my little girl :)

He's always been 100% more like a dog really :rolleyes:

He went to his new home in the morning and They rode him in the afternoon (I wouldn't have done this, but he was apparently unfazed and settled) they took him for a wander round and he reared!!! :eek:

He has never ever done this, but they carried in and he was fine being lead round the farm etc.

They following day they turned him out in his paddock and got him back in, again really settled and happy they went to tack him up and he was rearing when they were trying to get the saddle on?

They have got him a new cub type saddle (he's a mini shettie) so have thought it could be this? I'm going to pop over with his old saddle and see if that helps? But i feel awful as he's been a fantastic pony with us and I would hate someone to think i have deceived them.

If he's still the same with his old saddle what could Be wrong? Could they have just done too much too soon? And get them to give him a week or so to settle into his new environment? (which is very different) I did initially think this but his behaviour sounds like he's chilled out?

Help!!!!
 
He'll be feeling very insecure in his new place. New surroundings, new people, new tack, nothing as it was the day before...what does anyone expect of him?

As you say, it probably wasn't a good idea to ride him the first day. He's not a machine. The new folk should have given him a fortnight, at least, to settle, and should have worked away quietly with him to help him make the transition.

You need to find out the circumstances under which he took to rearing,and how these people handle him when he does, so that this can be addressed in a manner which will save him being spoiled by this. If the pony is not being helped to feel secure in his new surroundings he will behave accordingly.
 
I did think this but they said he seems his normal laid back self? Maybe he's not and it's that they don't know him yet to know his normal self, if that makes sense?

Hopefully once ive seen him I will be able to judge what's the matter with him.

I think if there's nothing obvious they just need to give him time, if they dont want to I will just have him back- that's not a problem, It would be such a shame though as it's a lovely home.
 
AengusOg said:
He'll be feeling very insecure in his new place. New surroundings, new people, new tack, nothing as it was the day before...what does anyone expect of him?

As you say, it probably wasn't a good idea to ride him the first day. He's not a machine. The new folk should have given him a fortnight, at least, to settle, and should have worked away quietly with him to help him make the transition.

You need to find out the circumstances under which he took to rearing,and how these people handle him when he does, so that this can be addressed in a manner which will save him being spoiled by this. If the pony is not being helped to feel secure in his new surroundings he will behave accordingly.
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this ... we have a fab pony, but when she first came to us, and when she gets stressed out, (she has a vet phobia for eg) she rears, just ask them to give the pony a little time to settle
 
Think you need to go and watch what they do as well as offer the saddle
It may be something really simple like hair trapped when girthing up
Pulling him forward on bit which catches his teeth

Go quickly before the rear becomes a habit.
 
If you took a pony to a show, wouldn't you expect him/her to behave there, even though it is by definition a new environment? I don't think people riding a new pony immediately is an unreasonable activity, nor should it be an "explanation" for it rearing. A new rider/tack could be, though.
 
Having been sent many rearers to sort out - this 'problem' is a cry for help.

You have a choice - do as you are and put usual saddle on, but watch the child ride him - what is the child doing to cause the rearing?

or.....

if they are insensitive/uncaring enough to ride the pony on his first day in a new environment - what else are they doing wrong/ being selfish about. For me, just the fact they are unkind enough to ride on the first day would be enough for me to have him straight home and find a new loaner. xx
 
Ill-sitting saddle or strong bit and insensitive hands are the two things that come to mind with a pony that has started rearing. In this case it sounds like it's the saddle but I would get a vet to check out the damage done before putting on the old saddle again.
 
Thanks for the ideas! Been to see him and he seems very settled in his stable and very settled in the field. A bit looky when being turned out to his paddock, but there's loads of diggers and building work going on that he has to practically walk through to get to his field.

Watched him tacked up and there was no problem, he was dead calm. I led him round and he was fine?

She did say that the saddle was moving side to side a bit,which I think could have easily unnerved him if he's got a beginner rider wobbling everywhere.

I have left her his saddle I used and I think she just needs to give him time to settle. It's a working farm and there's loads going on. I think he feels safe in the field and in his stable. And that he just needs to get used to the outside environment and being surrounded by cattle/sheep etc and not other horses. I think he just needs to realise it's his new home and get in a routine.

She's happy to give it more time and keep me up to date
 
Cortez said:
If you took a pony to a show, wouldn't you expect him/her to behave there, even though it is by definition a new environment? I don't think people riding a new pony immediately is an unreasonable activity, nor should it be an "explanation" for it rearing. A new rider/tack could be, though.
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Totally agree with this.
 
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