Pony threatening to bite and kick daughter

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DottEE

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We recently moved to a lovely house that has a field and stables at the back. Once we were settled we moved daughters pony home with us so we could spend more time with her, and so that my daughter could be more involved in her day to day care.

However, since getting her home, she has been really nasty towards us, especially my daughter and has bitten her a few times and threatened to kick her too.

Daughter now getting nervous around pony so I have been catching her, bringing her in etc until she settles in and goes back to being her usual lovely self.

She has only been there a week, how long should we give her to settle in? I don't want my daughter to completely lose her confidence.
 
Is this the pony who was very overweight and now in better condition?

Is the pony kept on its own? How old is it?

Sorry for the questions, but if the pony is kept alone then you need a companion so it can interact with others.

It could be bored; it could be the grass at your new house is too rich; it could be that now it's much slimmer and fitter its true character is coming out.

Very difficult to give an opinion without knowing all the facts. I think you said in previous post that your daughter has an instructor - probably best to get her/his advice in the first instance as they will know pony/circumstances/daughter.
 
No but she never really paid attention to the horses over the fence before anyway. Like I said, I don't think that's the problem.

Maybe it's the grass like NicNac said?
 
Even though she didn't seem to interact with others before, their presence makes a big difference. She has no one to be a look out when she rests and she alone is responsible for being alert to all unfamilar stimuli.
 
Even if she didn't pay attention to the other horses, she would have been aware of their presence and quite probably more confident. For a horse to be completely alone, I'm sure she is quite probably more cautious. I think company would make the world of difference.
Hard to say without more info.
 
If its a mare then time of year? Mine has gotten a bit fractious lately (my geldings putting her in her place though ;) ) and been more grumpy, could just be that. Not all horses are into company. I know my gelding doesn't really care either way and he can be a $h!t in company anyways.

Get daughter to be firm with her when she starts this either that or make sure you are there and reprimand the pony when she goes to bite or kick. I don't tolerate that behaviour regardless of circumstances, too dangerous.
 
Black Beastie said:
If its a mare then time of year? Mine has gotten a bit fractious lately (my geldings putting her in her place though ;) ) and been more grumpy, could just be that. Not all horses are into company. I know my gelding doesn't really care either way and he can be a $h!t in company anyways.

Get daughter to be firm with her when she starts this either that or make sure you are there and reprimand the pony when she goes to bite or kick. I don't tolerate that behaviour regardless of circumstances, too dangerous.
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This ^^ Our mare will starve herself if in company as she is bottom of the pecking order :rolleyes: However she has buddies over the fence and she does keep an eye on them so perhaps it's a big change and pony is feeling all over the place
 
The horse def needs a friend - no horse should be kept entirely alone. They are a herd animal at the end of the day.

Your daughter needs to start learning about bodylanguage and how to read the pony and pre empt the bad behaviour and off set it with her own - exactly like horses do with each other.
 
They are herd animals, she definitely needs some company, even if its just a goat. Even if she wasn't bothered about the other horses in the last place, she was reassured because they were there.

How long have you had the pony? have much experience around horses do you have yourself?
 
DottEE said:
She isn't a poor pony! She is loved and cared for and is the most pampered thing ever!

Shall I get her a friend then?
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I'm sure she is, and its lovely for your daughter to have her at home, but a companion would be the kindest thing you could give her. Have you thought about getting a safe hack so you and your daughter could ride out together ?
 
DottEE said:
She isn't a poor pony! She is loved and cared for and is the most pampered thing ever!

Shall I get her a friend then?
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Personally I would not keep a pony alone. They do get lonely with no other equine company. Could you not consider a loan from WHW or suchlike? It looks like your pony is treating your daughter like another pony and you can't blame him for that; it's natural instinct.

My WB was on individual turnout and he was absolutely craving the company of another horse in his paddock. He was just so changed once I turned my youngster out with him. It isn't natural for them to be alone.
 
DotEE, I would also attribute her change of behaviour to the fact that she is now stabled alone. It's very rare for a horse/pony to not mind being alone. Even if she didn't have a buddy at her last yard, that doesn't mean that she wouldn't have made friends if she was turned out in a herd.
 
Yes maybe I will get myself a horse so we can go out together. She is our first pony and has become part of the family! I suppose it would be quite nice to have two.
 
Brilliant. There's something so special about riding out with your daughter. My daughter's and I used to have some wonderful rides.
Now how about getting your husband ....:D
 
What if she isn't upset because of lack of company? Then I would have just bought another horse for no reason and still have a pony that my daughter won't go near?
 
I couldn't give two hoots if the pony is on its own, in season, just suffering PMT or in a new environment it has absolutely no right to bite or threaten anyone.

If it is allowed to get away with this sort of behaviour then it can be settled for forty years and be running with a herd and still take advantage of a small child.

Bad and potentially dangerous manners need jumping on immediately.
 
My sister has a hunter that I might be able to borrow, but it might not like being in a field, it is used to being stabled all the time.
 
DottEE said:
What if she isn't upset because of lack of company? Then I would have just bought another horse for no reason and still have a pony that my daughter won't go near?
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I will probably get shot down in flames for saying what most others are probably thinking but are you experienced enough to keep a pony at home without the advice and supervision that a livery yard/ riding school can offer?

Its very much the exception than the norm for a horse or pony to be fine kept in solitary confinement because they are herd animals and can become very stressed with no company, even if that company was 'ignored' when they were in a multi horse enviroment the subtle signs from a horses point of view would have been the safety and knowledge that another horse was close by rather than them grooming each other and 'blatently' being friends.
 
Is it possible to take your pony back to the previous yard for a while ? It will test if the move has affected her behaviour or if it is a coincidence and due to another issue.
 
I agree with others about her being alone . There is a huge difference between being able to see other horses for security etc and being entirely alone. There are some horses that really hate others but they are rare and mostly have a reason for it. Otherwise I think it is essential for any horse and anyone who says they can't afford another etc needs to either find other options such as going on a yard or having a livery/field sharer themselves.

See it as a fun thing, I have a companion on loan for my horse and she is a darling little pony! There are so many sad little waifs that could do with a home at the mo!

Horses do not tolerate aggressive behaviour from other horses and deal with it more effectively and fairly than any human can, I have experienced two horses (owned by others) previously kept alone that acted like this and completely changed with company.
 
If the pony continues to be difficult, the addition of a companion will still be as valid as company is pretty essential for the well being of the pony, so it won't be for nothing.

Other issues you may need to look at are, how experienced and confident are you and your daughter ? Even the best natured horse will try out the pecking order without consistent, firm but fair leadership.

As the pony becomes fitter and with spring grass coming in, she will have more energy and be bouncier. She may need to be kept busier. More work, less time to think up mischief.

Routine helps to settle a pony in a new home and keep feed minimal, as I'm sure you are already. Low sugar, high fibre etc etc.
 
Thanks Antw23uk but I think we can look after a small pony!

No can't take it back, we had a falling out with the yard manager when we left so we are not on speaking terms at the moment.
 
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