pony took off and my daughter has compound fracture

The OP here is a mother who watched her snall daughter have a frightening fall and a painful injury followed by surgery. There are some really horrible responses and a really nasty edge to it. Why be like this?
 
mle22 said:
The OP here is a mother who watched her snall daughter have a frightening fall and a painful injury followed by surgery. There are some really horrible responses and a really nasty edge to it. Why be like this?
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Becuz they can be, and think it's clever as they clearly think they are EXPERTS because one has a certificate saying he/she is an expert, and another has had a pony since he/she was born, and many others have had oh so many lessons and clincs and other wonderous things....

Too easy to label TROLL....any excuse for a bitch and an argument.

Take things at face value UNTIL you have been bitten on the ass.

To the OP, ask a real life professional, not a bunch of forum wannabes!
 
millreef said:
I think that there are many, many, very sweet people on this forum, there are also a few who like to cause perturbation and agitation. If Ponymom is genuine then she should ignore my posts and take the advice of those who think she is genuine. I do not however. I've been bitten more than once by TROLL's on this forum. Some of their comments were inhumane and deeply offensive so I have very little patience for them I'm afraid.

As for Ponymoms comments;
1 -She was attending one to one lessons with him with a qualified instructor after 3 years of riding weekly at a riding school.Her instructor had said he was a little green but was surprised at him taking off like that. Any riding instructor worth their salt would have the pony in an enclosed area and would have dealt with a bolting pony in a professional manner - AND certainly not have let a Parent go chasing after the thing with a flippin crop.
2. If some of the posters on the forum had their way horse riding would be reserved for the privileged 'horsey' few!It must be wonderful to be perfect and to get it right every time!
Any Wally can own a horse or pony - that's the problem dear. This forum is for those who love horses and like to find advice or give it. Read some of the posts on here about the state of ponies which have ended up in sales and their fate after this is the knackers yard - why? Because anyone can have one and they often do!
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I dont think the kid was having a lesson at the time just riding her pony, so maybe go easy a tad?

OP. dont be hard on yourself, many a great rider has come from the devil pony, where do you think thelwells got there reps from.

even an older pony can bolt, if anything the older pony will be the devil hidden under the cute eyelashes as the buggers know every trick in the book.

if anything the pony proberly needs harder work, maybe see if you can find a rider for it, or even send it off for some schooling.
 
I remember when i was a kid, id had a couple of lessons - my mum let me go and ride one of my friends ponys with her and her friends, we rode on roads - no hat, went galloping - id never learnt, just held on for dear life while "my" pony followed the others.
Times have changed, we are very h and s aware, sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad.
To the op please dont feel guilty - sounds like your daughter has been very unlucky and i do hope she is better soon.
I would agree though if you do keep this pony get a good instructor in and follow her reccomendations - my daughter is having lessons and is dying to hack out with her yard mates - ive said when the instructor says she is ready she can and i do trust our instructor to give us an informed decision.
Good luck and thoughts to you and your daughter x
 
I know - RIP little lion :( Amazing what used to happen in the 70's.

I don't see whats wrong with riding in the garden? If you have land at home then if its beside the house maybe it is just called the garden :confused: I used to work for Lord and Lady X as a nanny when I was 17. The walled garden was where the kids rode as it was enclosed and a nice size for schooling. It was called the garden. What is wrong with that? :confused:
 
There is one huge question going on in my mind.Did this pony have the saddle correctly fitted by a professional? The going over a jump and then bolting sounds like it is quite possibly a pain reaction and the saddle not fitting properly would be the first thing I would suggest be checked.
OP please don't be put off or offended by the minority of posters on here who think you are a troll.Sadly the school holidays tend to bring them out in droves and I can understand why alot of members on here tend to jump to conclusions. In reality none of us know you,your childs ability or the pony so it is difficult for anyone to give advice.
 
Does the pony have company? Sometimes horses can act like this when they are afraid and alone. Agree with the above post re saddle check too.
 
I brought my own children up with ponies and the amount of times I have watched them being tanked off with - with heart in mouth!

I very clearly remember, on many occassions, screaming at the top of my voice "PULL ON ONE REIN" ;)

IE, to circle the pony and regain some control. Only once have I stepped in and physically stopped a pony as the situation arose.

I am so sorry your daughter has suffered an injury and I really do count my lucky stars that neither of my kids came to any great harm.

As to what to do next - check out the pony club website or join if you haven't already - a good, safe child's pony will always go via word of mouth with a waiting list behind it but lots are advertised on there. Pony Club Mums are very proud of their children's ponies and their reputation is very important to them ;) There are plenty out there if you have the right contacts.

BTW: I learnt to ride on a little bugger of a pony, he tanked off, shed me under branches, dumped me in patches of stinging nettles, jumped 3ft at home but refused three times at the first fence every single time at a show, etc etc - but he certainly taught me determination ;)
 
When you are buying a pony for a child you are the adult and you have to take resposibilty for that animal. A child has very little idea of the dangers involved and the consquences and for a child to presuade you to buy something unsuitable I am afraid you are....
The first pony is always the most important as a good pony can build a childs confidence, help them get their balance and most of all have fun.
A first pony may not come cheap, may have to begged from another family or older owner. It come with history tales of what it done, who learned to ride on it and sometimes battered tack that has been much used.
It is usually long in the tooth and may have several lumps and bumps and will tolerate stupidity of the parent and child but knows really it has the upper hand and will occasionally point this out.
Our family has been very fortuate in owning two such ponies purchased for moderate money which have taught and looked after numerous children,one of which is now 24 and still doing his job and I always have a que of people wanting to be his next family.
I do not think I would let him go to a family who lets a small child wave a crop/whip around him.
I hope you have learnt from this experience, my daughter broke her arm twice after falls from her safe saint and it took nearly 5 years for her to be fully confident again.
 
honetpot said:
When you are buying a pony for a child you are the adult and you have to take resposibilty for that animal. A child has very little idea of the dangers involved and the consquences and for a child to presuade you to buy something unsuitable I am afraid you are....
The first pony is always the most important as a good pony can build a childs confidence, help them get their balance and most of all have fun.
A first pony may not come cheap, may have to begged from another family or older owner. It come with history tales of what it done, who learned to ride on it and sometimes battered tack that has been much used.
It is usually long in the tooth and may have several lumps and bumps and will tolerate stupidity of the parent and child but knows really it has the upper hand and will occasionally point this out.
Our family has been very fortuate in owning two such ponies purchased for moderate money which have taught and looked after numerous children,one of which is now 24 and still doing his job and I always have a que of people wanting to be his next family.
I do not think I would let him go to a family who lets a small child wave a crop/whip around him.
I hope you have learnt from this experience, my daughter broke her arm twice after falls from her safe saint and it took nearly 5 years for her to be fully confident again.
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omg how rude are you! If i saw my horse tanking off with my daughter im sure i would try to do what ever to stop him in the heat of the moment!
Stop having a go at this mum - flipping heck is there any need to be so rude and righteous - some people here are just unbelievable!
ps - im sure you nasty posters have scared this mum off for life!
 
honetpot said:
When you are buying a pony for a child you are the adult and you have to take resposibilty for that animal. A child has very little idea of the dangers involved and the consquences and for a child to presuade you to buy something unsuitable I am afraid you are....
The first pony is always the most important as a good pony can build a childs confidence, help them get their balance and most of all have fun.
A first pony may not come cheap, may have to begged from another family or older owner. It come with history tales of what it done, who learned to ride on it and sometimes battered tack that has been much used.
It is usually long in the tooth and may have several lumps and bumps and will tolerate stupidity of the parent and child but knows really it has the upper hand and will occasionally point this out.
Our family has been very fortuate in owning two such ponies purchased for moderate money which have taught and looked after numerous children,one of which is now 24 and still doing his job and I always have a que of people wanting to be his next family.
I do not think I would let him go to a family who lets a small child wave a crop/whip around him.
I hope you have learnt from this experience, my daughter broke her arm twice after falls from her safe saint and it took nearly 5 years for her to be fully confident again.
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" I hope you have learned from your experience"
good god - the womans child has had surgery - how old are you - 12?????
 
Re: the garden comment being a "give away" - we have a small field across from the stables which is called the garden. It is actually a small paddock, not a garden at all, and I think the name came from when my Dad's family lived in the old house. In fact, all our fields have names, and it is the same with neighbouring farms. So "garden" does not always have to mean the front lawn.

Also, my first pony was a green broken 4yo, I was about 8 at the time and I got decked regularly. My folks were not horsey, aside from the working horses that my grandfather had. The pony eventually settled down, but I learned a lot from him!
 
ponymom said:
Thanks for all advice,especially to the first 4 posters who didnt label me!Just because I'm called ponymom doesnt mean I am a naive mother rushing off to buy the first pony I see! How many of those who seem so critical of me have children themselves?Or do you spend all of your time riding horses? If you see your child on an out of control pony coming towards you'll do your utmost to stop him before he gets any further!Any parent would do the same!As for the use of the term crop!In my day we called it a crop!So what!My daughter was wearing a fully approved hat and back protector.The garden I refer to is our land!She was attending one to one lessons with him with a qualified instructor after 3 years of riding weekly at a riding school.Her instructor had said he was a little green but was surprised at him taking off like that.If some of the posters on the forum had their way horse riding would be reserved for the privileged 'horsey' few!It must be wonderful to be perfect and to get it right every time!
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Before you start having a go, understand that there are few 5yo ponies that wont play up with an 8yo novice rider. Spending 3yrs at a riding school accounts for nothing at some schools, no all, but like driving, you dont learn until you are out there. I raised my eyebrows at the fact your daughter is jumping a youngster on hard ground. A body protector is not going to give all round protection if she fell off while jumping. And what damage are you doing to the ponies legs. I went through the exact same thing when my daughter was 5 & she had to wait until she was 8 before I bought her a pony. The pony funny enough was young, but small enough for her to feel in control when off lead rein. Yes despite winging she was not let off the lead rein until I was happy with the pony. I also dont think it is a good idea for an 8yo riding a 5yo to carry a crop. Sorry but one they need to have full control of their balance & understanding of aids so that they do not use it inappropriately. What schooling has the pony had, & how big is it? Is it bolting because it is in pain? My daughter had to endure hours (over time) on the lunge with no stirrups or reins. She had to learn about her own balance & staying in balance with the pony before I even let her over a trotting pole. Falling off though is all part & parcel of riding. I hope you find a more suitable mount, but perhaps you ought to consider a loan.
 
Re the garden comment - I often hack past a place that has paddocks, stables etc but they are all on a slope (albeit slight). They have a huge flat lawn & I always think "what a waste" as it would be a perfect jumping paddock.
 
I hope ur daughter makes a speedy recovery, I've been reading this thread with interest. My daughter learned to ride at 5 yrs old on a 5yr old pony (never on lead rein). The pony had been rescued by a friend at 3 yrs old after being kept in a garden shed for 2 yrs. He was so well behaved you would have thought he was 15!! (Went to RDA at 7) she also had an accident riding another 5yr old though, this was jumping, came out the side door & broke collar bone. Not all young ponies are crazy, but I think maybe you should have had a bit more advice before you bought him. I would maybe send him away for schooling while your daughter recovers & stick to the riding school for a bit longer. I had never had anything to do with horses until my daughter started but was fortunate to have an instructor for a best friend! The only serious accident my girl has had is on her 12yr old JC, where she got his stride wrong & he stumbled over the jump & fell on her breaking her collar bone (other 1 this time!) & crushing her thumb on the opposite hand. She wasnt gutted about having both arms in slings, just that she couldnt ride for 8 weeks!! Kids have accidents, its part of the sport, but please get help with the pony before you just decide to sell him as she might resent you for it. Wish her a speedy recovery xxx
 
:rolleyes: :o

I learnt to ride, as soon as I got my 'proper pony' rather than in RS, aged 4 on a 4YO just broken, riding in our garden. My parents weren't particularly experienced, lots was learnt by trial and error. I fell off so many unsuitable ponies, it was years before I could canter without bouncing straight off. My parents were into inhand native pony showing so they had a few shetland stallions, newly cut section As etc- all of which I fell off ;) We still have the first pony that was got for me to ride, we're both 19 now.
I also smashed my arm, multiple compound fracture needing a fair bit of surgery. I did that vaulting right over the pony getting on bareback. The pony didn't move.

Accidents happen and not everyone has the luxury of a perfect schoolmaster, equipment and riding instructor parents.
 
i'm another that bought a green as grass 6 yr old, who napped like a bitch at the viewing but was otherwise fine, for my two girls fresh out of riding school. They were 11 and 13 at the time. I only had to get on the pony twice to sort the napping out and boy did she teach my girls to ride! we still have her 6 yrs on and although she is a cheeky little bag she will allow anyone on her back from tiny tots to novices to experienced riders and behaves accordingly. I wouldn't swap her for anything.
 
Thanks again to all who posted constructive advice! Wolfie- Yes,in my part of the world the 'garden' is the paddock and could be an acre or forty!All our neighbours have jumps in the 'garden'.
Millreef-I think you misunderstood,the instructor was not present,that lesson is in an enclosed sand arena and last lesson the instructor got an experienced rider to ride him before the lesson in the arena which one poster here suggested..As for the crop,all the kids at my girls riding school use crops/whips and there are spares if you need one!
Cindydog & mlezz-thanks for kind words.My daughter is a very brave and active child and keen to ride again!Evelyn- the pony is a snaffle bit and he seemed to pull his head strongly away from her after the little jump. There was a buck there too before he took off at a gallop.Someone suggested to me he might have got a sting!!The saddle was fitted at a saddlery a week ago and that was the second time he wore it. I thought he had a moody face at the beginning of the ride and was napping a bit.Strange thing is she had been making good progress on him at the sand arena so this took me by surprise. We have him 6 mnths and he took a while to settle(first week he gave me a sharp nip when putting the turn out rug on) and pushy with me & her when feeding him.He's a bit dominant.One other thing, the last owner said he was driving with him too?She's had days on him when he is as good as gold and others where he looks peed off from the outset. He's 11.1 hh but stockyOther than that he's a bit of a pet and If I part with him it is reluctantly and I am really concerned about his future home.
Lastly,to those seeking trolls under the bed/bridge. I am not a troll,I am genuine. Paranoia will destroy you!Have some posters been tinkering with the horse meds!??To the poster who fears selling to someone like me, COME DOWN OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE!
 
5 is ever so young for pony to tick all the boxes you need.

I have just found such a pony for a client (pony is 16) and we said 12+ in our search.

Could you maybe fence off the area your daughter rides in at home to simulate the school? Maybe have the instructor over to teach her there?
 
I hope she has nor been out off riding by all this, just start off with riding lessons and don't buy her any more young ponies.
Sell this one or swap for another, this is a second pony, you need a nice ploddy first pony.
 
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Don't give up on the pony. My kids all learned to ride on our excitable, strong, super fast 13:2. My 8 year old (child no 4) happily zooms around on her at breakneck speed (purely because she hasn't learned how to stop) wheras her older sister is (at last) much more controlled. The only injury any have had is a horrid broken armfrom slipping getting off a trampoline. Accidents happen. I'm glad your daughter hasn't been put off. And I would think she & her pony just need a few lessons. The trouble with 'first' ponies is that children are at that stage for so short a time. Why would any keen child want a push button pony or a pony has to be kicked to get it to move?
 
Ottinmeg said:
i'm another that bought a green as grass 6 yr old, who napped like a bitch at the viewing but was otherwise fine, for my two girls fresh out of riding school. They were 11 and 13 at the time. I only had to get on the pony twice to sort the napping out and boy did she teach my girls to ride! we still have her 6 yrs on and although she is a cheeky little bag she will allow anyone on her back from tiny tots to novices to experienced riders and behaves accordingly. I wouldn't swap her for anything.
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lucky me that pony is mine :D
 
Please don’t sell your poor baby pony unless your daughter really wants you too!!! A fall is a fall they happen to all riders at some point and are an important part of learning to ride, sometimes we get hurt sometimes we don’t. Very often they are the riders fault, I don’t mean to be unkind to your daughter and you but this fall was her fault as she was not able to control the pony, bolting is not exceptable behaviour but it sounds like the horse went fast and straight to begin with so he did not “throw” her off a more experienced rider may have had time to react and regain control of the pony. my advice… 1) Is your young horse uncomfortable for some reason to be bolting? E.g. Have you had his back and teeth checked, is he still growing? Is he capable of jumping in a balanced fashion? Is he running off because he is scared? 2) Could you look at a different bit not necessarily stronger but something that might help her turn him or stop him leaning against her hand? A roller snaffle or fulmer snaffle would be good for a youngster as a sore mouth from leaning on the rider will only make things worse! In my opinion selling a 5 year old pony that you daughter obviously adored will be good for neither of them, just think where the pony might end up if he is being naughty. Invest in plenty more lessons which by the way don’t have to be one to one and for now only jump in a confined space even if it’s a small sectioned paddock so the pony cannot go anywhere unsafe. Should he run off your daughter she can learn to pull him up correctly and safely.
I was lucky enough never to get seriously hurt as a child but I did win the pony club camps “best attitude in camp” trophy for a record 11 falls in 1 week off my first ever pony! My mum was a very non horsey person and followed everyone’s advice carefully picked me a "done it all" older pony who was 13.2hh and 19 years old! He was still too much for me to start as he had done a lot more with previous owner and quickly got bored with little me but after one season we were never out of the ribbons!!! Perseverance wins the day – all the perfect ponies had to start from somewhere! Good Luck
 
ponymom said:
As for the crop,all the kids at my girls riding school use crops/whips and there are spares if you need one!
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Firstly - i don't really think you are a troll and I'm sorry about your daughter. Its really really hard when people make you feel like you are not good enough for sometihnkg but .....
A 5yo pony is going to be responsive anyway,any horse that is not a rs horse will be , let alone a young one.i would know.rs ponies are worked and nagged all day by riders, of course over time the leg would lessen its effect. .And the fact that " everyone else does it" ,does not mean anything. Would you jump off a cliff or drink rat poison , just because it was what everyone at a riding school was doing? :L
 
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