PROBLEM PONY!! ADVICE PLEASE

[leanne1988]

Hi All.

I have just bought a 13.2 hh, 12 y.o welsh Mare. She was lovely for a few days but then turned nasty, she has started to bite at every occasion & is very nappy, which is the bigger problem! She is my 1st pony so i do not know what to do!

she will put her foot down, stand her ground and refuse to do pretty much everything i ask of her! -going into her stable, out on a hack, to work and even to go back into her field!!

I tried taking her out for a hack today, she took a few steps then refused to go any further! I tried using all the aids; voice, leg, whip etc. I even got off to try coax her up the road, but she wouldnt budge! I got back on and she started backing up into traffic! so i had to give in and take her back before we caused an accident

I know she deffinatley wasnt spooking at anything ,she just didnt want to work.

I dont know what to do, Ive only had her 10 days and already im losing confidence! I havent bonded at all with her and im really not enjoying horse ownership!!! I knew at 1st it wouldnt all be a bed of roses but I dont want to lose my confidence with horses.

Ive even thought about selling her. But I dont want to give up on her. Please help! I know she probably thinks she alpha horse but i dont know what to do to show her im in charge.

There isnt much u can do when such a big animal refuses to go forward! I am always going to loose the tug-of-war match

Please help, any advice appreciated!

p.s whats it like for you guys when u bring a new horse back? How long did it take for them to settle & for you to bond etc?

Thanks.

 

[MrsMozart]

It can take a good few weeks (or even months) to fully bond with a new ned, and for the ned to settle and feel at home.

Is there an experienced person around who can help you?

The usual recommendation is to get teeth, back and saddle checked.

To get ned listening to you on the ground, you have to make her move her feet. Don't ever walk round her to get to somewhere, walk in a straight line and make her move out of your way. Put her on a lead rope and go for a walk. If she won't move forward, make her move sideways (bring her head right round) - do whatever you need to do to make her move her feet. As soon as she has moved, stop the command and praise. Keep doing it. Eventually she will drop her head and lick her lips/chew: that means she is listening and thinking about it.

If I let my girl boss me around at all, she goes from being a complete sweetie pie to the absolute cow from hell, and at 16.3hh she's too big!

 

[MrsMozart]

Forgot to add: you'll need to do this every day. Horses choose their leader every day, and it sounds like your girl would like to be boss lady.

 

[leanne1988]

Thanks for the advice

I have tried to make her move for me whilst she was in her field but she isnt bothered by me in the slightest, she barred her teeth at me and sent me a side kick. I waved my arms around growing at her and chased her away, she did run off eventually but it hasnt seemed to have helped.

When she refuses to move I've tried to push her to the side to keep her moving but she just continuly backs-back and we end up further and further away from our goal.

 

[MrsMozart]

You have to get sneaky and very, very firm. She sounds pretty dominant, so you have to become more so, without resorting to cruelty. She has to learn to stay out of your space, and to keep her feet to herself.

As to the back-back-back, turn her round so she goes the direction you want, even if she is back to front. I don't know your level of experience and ability, so don't want to say too much. Do you have someone who can help you in RL?

 

[leanne1988]

my sister has been helping me, but no one really experienced.

Its hard not to lose my temper with her, ive been trying really hard with her. I know i must perserve, but its so frustrating.

Please if you have anymore advice please carry on. Do you think i should put the hacking on hold untill i have got it clear that im boss?

 

[madiz123]

I would work with her on the ground to start with, simply things like moving her backwards and forwards - apply pressure and then the second she moves where you want, release. My mare is stubborn as hell and I used to be completely unable to lead her anywhere, but after a lot of perseverance (and a monty roberts headcollar - which helps you be clear about applying/releasing pressure) she will now move WHEN i ask her too!!

 

[leanne1988]

Ok thanks, i will perserve, and look into that headcollar.

What about the napping whilst out? How would you suggest i deal with that?

I have read somewhere that i should just stand still, untill they are restless and then move forward, but cant really do that as she backs up!

 

[MyBoyChe]

Agree wth all MrsM's suggestions but it would help if we knew a bit more about you, where do you keep your pony, do you have lessons with an instructor, do you think the behaviour change may be connected with her being in season. There are so many possible reasons for this change in her, sorry for all the questions but if you could give us a bit more info there are some really knowledgable, helpful folk on here. I had similar issues with a mare I bought last year, I am just a happy hacker, not terribly brave and after persevering for 4 months i decided she was not the horse for me and now have a gelding who I have found is more even tempered. I'm not suggesting that you should do the same but just that there are so many factors which could be causing the problems.

 

[leanne1988]

I keep her at my grandparents farm. She lives out 24/7 but i have a stable for her incase of bad weather and this is where i like to tack her up, groom etc. shes my first pony but i did have an arab X NF on loan a few months before so i am not a complete novice, and have been riding since i was a little girl (now 20) .

I am not having lessons on her, I was hoping to but the yard opposite has just closed down. I thought she may be in season, have been looking for signs but cant really see any that suggest she is in season yet.

I feel like selling her already but need to give her a chance atleast. What problems did you have with yours?

 

[MrsMozart]

Again, it depends your level of experience and ability

There's lots of things I and others could suggest, but if we were to, and you tried and got hurt because it was outside your current abilities...

I would definately recommend that you get the ground work sorted. You need to define the immediate space around you as 'yours', the ned can only come into that space if she is invited, i.e. you are telling her that you're in charge and you'll decide when and if she is allowed to approach. Don't worry, over time, once she has accepted that you are the boss lady, you will be able to relax a bit.

If she is kicking out at you in the field, take a rope and swing it round in the air (like a propellor) - most horses will respect that and back off, though they may do it in a kicky and farty sort of way!

In the stable, make her move back before she gets her feed. Use a schooling whip if necessary: have her move back from the pressure of the stick - remember one little step back and you stop asking; if she moves towards your space again when you don't want her to, use the stick to get her to back up again.

Take her for walks on a long lead rope. Wear a riding hat and gloves. Use a pressure halter - a normal headcollar is more like a pillow, i.e. is comfortable and diffuses commands rather than giving decisive and direct instruction. Have her walk with you. Don't have the rope held tight to her head. When you stop, she must stop. When you back up, she must back up. When you turn left or right, she must also turn. If she goes to one left when you wanted straight, then make her go right; and vice versa. Do lots of changes of direction, get her thinking. Praise her quietly and gently, don't go mad. Keep it low key.

You mustn't let her make you move your feet! She is attuned to reading subtle body language, so you must portray confident and in charge (leave the quaking in your boots for later).

If she does get you to move your feet, make her move her twice as much - direction doesn't matter so long as she moves away from your space.

Also, if she goes to swing her head up and over yours, block her with your arm/stick. Don't hit her in the head/face, just don't let her go over you.

Walk close to her when you're in the stable, that way, if she does kick, she'll just push you away. Either that or walk a good six feet away (out of range). Always take a stick in with your to give you extra body length and height.

 

[MyBoyChe]

Hi, sounds like a lovely set up for you and pony. Will pm you with a bit more info!

 

[MrsMozart]

As MBC says, the more we know about you and her, the better

It could be a season thing.

What feed/supplements is she on?

Is ned on her own in the field? Did she have a field companion where she has come from?

With regard to the hacking out, do you have someone confident who can walk out with you?

 

[leanne1988]

Thanks for your advice Mozart, thats really usefull,will deffinately be putting those into practice.

She is out 24/7 living on grass only. She was kept like this at her previous home without any feed or supplements hence trying to keep her diet the same.

She was kept with 3 other horses at her previous home and now is living alone. The owner told me that she would prefer to have her own company.She also said she was the boss of the other horses, this is probably why she still thinks she boss!

Plus she hasnt been properly worked since xmas because her daughter 'lost interest' im starting to wonder if there was a little more to it than that!

She was really great the first few days though, so unless they had doped her up I do not know, or maybe my horsemanship isnt as good as first thought

My sister is going to walk beside me when i next attempt to hack her out, so we will see if that helps.

 

[MrsMozart]

You're welcome hun.

I don't know much about doping, but it is perfectly feasible that she was quietly sussing you out and decided that she was boss. Remember, it's very subtle

The wonderful world of horses

. We're always learning and learning and learning, and re-learning

.

She's had some big change in her life: she's gone from being with a herd; not working (whatever the reason) to working ; moved home; and has new people.

Hang on in there

. Shout on here as you have done, when you need help/guidance

.

 

[Ziggy_]

QR

Like you, I started riding young but it was a long time before I bought my first horse - a 16.2hh chestnut TB mare. I was working with horses at the time and kept her at the yard I was working at for about nine months before I moved her to a place that was totally DIY, with no one to help.

You'd think that with ten years riding experience, and nearly a year working with horses, that I'd be ready to go it alone. Um, no.

I won't go into huge detail, but I struggled with handling, riding, you name it. I found it difficult to tell when she was frightened/nervous and when she was taking the p, and she took advantage of me. I'd have gladly taken 50p for her at the time, she got that bad. It took a year for us to finally bond, after I moved somewhere with a YO who could help me out with handling her and teach me to be the boss. Once that was sorted, I found things clicked into place riding-wise and we finally started getting along.

Anyway, the point of this ramble is; no matter how experienced you think you are, or how ready for horse ownership you think you are, you are bound to have a few hiccups along the line - major ones in my case! The best thing I can advise, is to do some research into local trainers/instructors, and get someone to come out to you and help you firstly with groundwork, and then riding. It isn't a failing to ask for help and it makes a huge difference having someone to see you in person and help out. For me it was certainly the turning point in our relationship, I just regret not seeking help earlier.

Hope this helps a little

 

[ladyt25]

In all honesty she sounds like a clever, dominant little pony who is testing her boundaries. I would get some help from someone experienced and perservere. Often ponies like these can turn out to be some of the best once you learn what their behaviour is.

Spend time just in the field do 'jobs' poo picking etc so she realises you are gonna be around whether she wants you to be or not, stand your ground if she tries to intimidate you. 10 days is not long, she may well have not had the best/nicest past when it comes to how she was treated so be firm, positive and let her know you're in charge!

I am sure she will come round and in a few months you will be singing her praises instead!

 

[spike123]

It sounds to me like the pony is more wary of everything because she has come from a herd environment to being kept on her own.No horse likes being on its own and the fact yours has been amongst other horses she is probably feeling stressed and worried by this and has not yet got confidence in you to feel safe and secure in what you ask of her.I suggest you work with her on the ground and spend lots of time with her to make her feel secure.If you don't understand horses body language then you really should enlist the help of an RA to help you build a relationship with this pony.An RA will be able to show you ways of handling her behaviour and help you to give her confidence to follow you and accept you as being the leader. You can find an RA in your area here
http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/
Is there any reason as to why you can't keep her with another horse or pony as this will really help her to feel settled.However even if you can do this then I would suggest you still get in touch with an RA as they will be the right people to help you build the relationship you want with her.

 

[chancing]

maybe this may help...im no expert but when my horse started getting nappy and bossy out on a hack i lunged him till he dropped the day before i hacked out..then on the day of hacking another 10 mins and bossed him around using my voice and making myself bigger. I found that as he was tired he just wanted an amble when out on a hack then when we got back as I had already got the better of him out on the hack when i tried to do things on the ground with him he was more receptive. May help may not best of luck anyway

 

[canteron]

Hey, just read your post and a few of the others .... My advice is learn to long rein (lunge on both reins) and once you and she are OK with that then long rein her out - get someone to walk at her head. You can then deal with the nappy bits and make her stand quietly and get her confidence facing things.

It really is a great skill to learn .... then as soon as you hit some problems, get off the pony, deal with the issue on the ground before getting back on. It is also great for learning what does and doesn't bother your pony and help your confidence.

I would also say that the poor thing may not have had time to settle in properly. I always like to take things slowly for quite some time before expecting too much (but always expect and demand good manners).

Good luck!!!

(PS Richard Maxwell does some good books/video on long reining, but best to get someone to show you first)

 

[Tankey]

I am at JM07's and we have just read your thead and she says that she will take the mare off your hands for £200.00.....

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

As spike123 says, the biggest problem you have is that your new ponio is now living on her own. Thousands of years of evolution have designed the horse to live in a herd. The horse's instincts will tell it that a lone horse in the wild is a dead horse. When I first read your post I thought, well if that was me I'd let ponio back into a nice spiky yard broom. But the moment I saw you were keeping her on her own, especially after she has been used to a living in a herd, I could see where the problem lies. To be honest, I think things are likely to get worse, not better, if you continue to keep her on her own. She can't relax and she may develop behavioural problems linked to living in a constant state of high alert. She may start fence walking or jumping out of her field to find company. She may start to lose condition. If her immune system starts to get battered, you could have all sorts of problems brewing. I'd immediately move her to somewhere she can have company or get a companion for her.

 

[leanne1988]

Thanks for all your advice guys.

I'm going to perserve, I really want it to work.

She has got company, just not of her own kind. she is in a field with a herd of cattle, i know its not as ideal as her own species but better than nothing?