problem pony-what to do?

peaceandquiet1

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We have a 10yo Welsh A bought last year now outgrown. He wasn't easy last year as he was nappy but my 10yo daughter did reasonably well at local shows and did PC rallies. He came cheap with a history of dropping his shoulder but we found him to be anxious and as soon as he felt all was well would actually become quite laid back. However this year he has become unsettled, probably due to lack of enough work, and had a tantrum at a rally, I think because he was aware that his field pal was around, and my daughter had a nasty fall. A friend wanted to buy him for her daughter to hack out on and he was coping well with this, been out regularly, until yesterday when my friend (7 stone) tried to ride in the arena after the hack-and he threw her off, too busy wanting to be with his pals.

Bottom line-neither of my daughters want to ride him. My friend has wisely decided against the purchase. I can't really justify keeping him and due to him being so unsettled am no longer prepared to advertise as a child's pony. He is gorgeous, very typey, would someone want him to show in hand? It seems a waste to use him as a companion as he is a very capable pony, he will jump and has no health issues. Ive thought of PTS but it seems so drastic given that we had good fun with him last season.

Advice please!!!!
 
How much weight do you think he could carry?
A small teenager/adult might be able to help sort him out until hes settled etc. and then you may be able to sell him on as a childs pony?
 
Hey, Have you considered advirtising for a rider?
A few years ago I started riding a friends pony that had been playing up and his owners weren't keen for their son to ride him. He is know far from a problem and is thriving on work. I was happy to work with him as I don't have the money to buy and keep my own horse. Now this pony could easily be sold as PC pony he was bought as, he just hadn't had enough exersise and like your pony he was mucking around. Or maybe you could loan him to an experienced rider? hope this helps :)
 
I agree and hee could carry a fair bit. He is 11.3hh. I wish I knew someone like that, because in the right hands he is lovely, with lovely paces, esp. the canter.
 
Thanks Dizzyblonde I could def try that. He would ned to go to their place though cos I don't really have room for him in winter. Friend has been saying she would take him for ages, he was due to go at end September, so thats why I havn't tried to rehome him before.
 
We had one like this who specialised in dropping a shoulder the little git... He was much better for getting LOTS of work when we put him on a sort of loan to a riding school. It wasn't quite like that, but that is the simplest explanation of what we did with him. We thought long and hard before we did it, he was in his 20's but still such a naughty little tinker...He was too tired at the end of the day to start plotting mischief, so it did work well. Also we could go and see him (check up on him really) as much as we liked and they did look after him properly :) God bless him, he died 3 years ago now.

ETA Yes there is an adult market for these little ponies, to show in hand and also to drive them
 
Thanks all. If I had time I would have a go at long reining him with a view to harness work because I think that would probably be his forte. Will advertise him and see what happens.
 
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