Riding school pony - shot off in canter and bucked

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numptynovice

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.....my beginner 6 year old off. She has just started trotting off lead rein. This is the second time she has shot off in canter with her, first time she clung on, just. Pony is much too big for her (not sure of exact size but also ridden by small adult riders, small cob type).

Generally it's a good school, I ride there myself, it has a great reputation and quality of teaching is far better than other local schools (I've ridden at a few!).

She wasn't hurt, she was very upset and shocked but got straight back on and had a little trot (being led), but I don't want her confidence ruined and her put off completely, or worse, badly hurt.

I know they have some issues with enough smaller ponies at the moment so daughter can't always ride the more suitable pony, but I now feel I have to say I don't want her riding this pony again, certainly not off lead rein. But if she can't go off lead rein she won't learn.

I'm a novice riding school rider so interested in more experienced thoughts....
 
It is not a big job to teach a small safe pony to work on the lunge which is the ideal place to teach small children to ride. If they cannot offer a suitable pony find her somewhere safer for lessons. Is it a group situation?
 
Thanks for replying. No, it's a private lesson. She was on the lunge when trotting (pony shot off in canter on the lunge first time it happened) and is now trotting independently, but only for past 2-3 lessons.

I know another school that has more smaller ponies so considering shifting her there, even until they sort out the small pony situation. Only problem is my son can't ride at the other place as he is too young (he has a little ride round the yard while she rides and loves it) and I will continue riding at this school as plenty suitable horses for adults and my instructor is great.
 
Did the instructor make any comment? Is it possible she did something (without realising) like try to cling on with her legs, and the pony thought she was asking for canter?
 
How big is the pony? I wouldn't be happy with the situation - I am teaching a novice 8yr old on my daughter's pony at the moment and she is a sharp young pony herself but I take steps to ensure that sort of thing cannot occur.
 
If she is having a private lesson then until they have a suitable pony they should keep her on the lunge, she can learn plenty without going loose, I have taught children and spend weeks if not months lunging them before they go off, they ride with no reins, no stirrups, do exercises, they enjoy it can still be challenged without the risk of a fall to take away the confidence, by the time they go off they are ready to canter and possibly have on the lunge, I don't understand why instructors have to push on so quickly with such young children, often they think the child will get bored but in my experience just being on a pony once a week is exciting enough for most.
 
Instructor said she didn't do anything wrong. But she was a little unbalanced, but then she's 6 and a beginner so she will be. They were going to check her out that she wasn't in pain etc. Daughter's legs barely reach below saddle so unlikely she would notice if she clung on.

I'm not great with heights, but I think she is about 13h, she is definitely way too big. I have ridden ponies her size (I'm 5'3 and she is used in adult lessons too).
 
The other side of the coin is that ponies are animals not machines they are not perfect and occasionally they have a bad day. If you can't accept that and that you will fall from time to time (at 6 I was on the floor more than I was on the pony) then choose a different sport
 
I've been bucked off many RS ponies and I have to say I ensured when teaching an adult it didn't happen to them.

I'm not too worried about the size of the pony (all ponies are bigger and stronger than all kids, you're not looking for your daughter to be able to physically force the pony to do anything) but I'd not be overly impressed with the bucking. It could be any number or reasons but tbh I'd expect the RS to deal with most of them.

Have a chat with the instructor and see what they think the issue is?

Having said all that: they used to say ypu need seven falls to become a rider and your daughter issoon going to be old enough to understand that she is taking part on a risk sport.

If you continue to encourage her to ride she is much more likely to get a serious (potentially life changing) injury than if you encourage her to do netball or another non-horse sport. And it is up to you (and, later, her) to decide if that is worth it. No horse is bomb proof!

Edited to add: just saw your later posts. Pony will feel a wobbly child, even best pony in world will sometimes react, but sounds like this one might be a bit more sharp than ideal.
 
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Yeh, I accept that, I ride myself and have come off. I got her to get straight back on and haven't made a big deal of it. But it's the second time it's happened in the space of three lessons, so I do wonder if the pony is suitable for teaching 6 year olds.... And at the back of my mind I'm questioning that it's my hobby and I want to make sure I'm putting her safety ahead of my own desire for her to ride if you see what I mean?
 
It's a much bigger fall for a 6yr old to come off a 13hh pony than a Shetland type. While children do fall off (my 7yr old daughter often falls off more than once a day!) being bucked off on this way would be highly unacceptable to me, however I don't think you should blame yourself at all. They should know better. Does she wear a body protector?
 
I've a 5yo son, and if I were in the same situation as you OP I'd say nothing the first time it happened, but if same pony put a foot out of line on a second occasion I'd be asking for my child not to be put on it again. ..

Fiona
 
A pony that has twice taken off in canter is, IMO, not suited to teaching a six year old who is still learning to trot independently. It may have something hurting, but otherwise it is not temperamentally suited to the job.

A pony for beginners should not interpret tension in the rider's legs as an instruction to canter.

Of course riding is a risk sport, and of course falls are inevitable, but of course you also do all you can to minimise injury and loss of confidence. I'd insist on another pony, or keep her on the lead rein (it needn't feel like a step back if you do lots of balance games, "jumping" (riding!) over trotting poles etc) or change schools. I would not continue with the same pony off the lead rein.

Time enough to learn how to deal with cantering off and bucking once the rider has learned to canter safely!
 
My horses are on livery at a riding school & if a pony behaved like that with a little one it would be taken out of lessons - or only used with a leader. When I was a kiddie I rode - & fell off - a lot of horrors, but schools like things a lot more sedate these days.

Btw - I have noticed that most ponies with Welsh genes in riding schools get naughty when bored!
 
numptynovice said:
I know they have some issues with enough smaller ponies at the moment so daughter can't always ride the more suitable pony.
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A good, reputable school would not book your daughter on to an unsuitable pony. And whilst these things may happen from time to time, if they can't ensure a suitable pony for your daughter to learn on, I'd be looking for another school.

Also, if your son is too yoing to ride at the other school you mention, then chances are he's too young for the current school. And there could be a H&S issue going on, indicating a rather reckless approach generally.
 
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Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply, I really appreciate it. I have no horsey friends or family to talk this tuff through with and get perspective.

I do understand that she'll fall off and if it was a one off or she'd just got herself unbalanced I'd not think too much of it. I'm not blaming the pony just questioning whether she's right for a complete beginner.

I'll have a chat with my instructor and say I don't want her off the lead rein on this pony (she has taken off with her on the lunge before so a bit nervous about that) and yes she can learn lots that way, she loves doing poles as she thinks she's jumping.

To be honest they are a good school and I'd be surprised if they don't have a rethink about this pony teaching the little ones anyway. They have taken other horses off the riding school who have turned out to be unsuitable.
 
For me the issue isn't so much the size of the pony but the behaviour. My old boy has been used for teaching very small beginners and he is a big 14h but he behaves impeccably with them so it's not a problem. It sounds like the pony isn't suitable as a first ridden. I would have a chat with them but be prepared that you may have to find somewhere more geared up to small children.
 
It's an insurance issue, this school is insured for his age, the other school is not. In 2 months he'll be old enough to ride at the other school. All he does is go round some fields on the lead rein on a Shetland pony. They really aren't reckless generally, I've ridden at far more cavalier places (that were much more expensive).
 
FfionWinnie said:
It's a much bigger fall for a 6yr old to come off a 13hh pony than a Shetland type. While children do fall off (my 7yr old daughter often falls off more than once a day!) being bucked off on this way would be highly unacceptable to me, however I don't think you should blame yourself at all. They should know better. Does she wear a body protector?
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She doesn't at the moment, she's only had a few lessons and I hadn't wanted to buy all the gear until I knew she wanted to keep it up and she was just riding a small, very steady pony with the slowest trot ever. Having watched her tumble for the first time though I think I will be investing in one! As you say, it's much further to fall than from a smaller pony.
 
You have every right as a client to say you or your daughter doesn't want to ride this pony.
All horses and ponies can have their moments.
But as this has happened twice then I think they should be understanding and even get the pony looked at.
Is it just a behavioural thing with a beginner or something wrong with it.

You don't want to know your daughters confidence or for her to get hurt.
 
Keep and eye on the FB groups for second hand BPs. Racesafe being the best imo if you can get a little one. My daughter and her friend aren't near a pony with out theirs and their hats. My godfather was stood on by a horse in his younger days and still suffers issues down to it now so I started as I meant to go on and my daughter just sees it as part of the normal kit.
 
numptynovice said:
Yeh, I accept that, I ride myself and have come off. I got her to get straight back on and haven't made a big deal of it. But it's the second time it's happened in the space of three lessons, so I do wonder if the pony is suitable for teaching 6 year olds.... And at the back of my mind I'm questioning that it's my hobby and I want to make sure I'm putting her safety ahead of my own desire for her to ride if you see what I mean?
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Totally unsuitable for a 6 year old to learn on....it wasn't a one off. I think the RS are taking the pee (and your money).
 
FfionWinnie said:
Keep and eye on the FB groups for second hand BPs. Racesafe being the best imo if you can get a little one. My daughter and her friend aren't near a pony with out theirs and their hats. My godfather was stood on by a horse in his younger days and still suffers issues down to it now so I started as I meant to go on and my daughter just sees it as part of the normal kit.
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Thank you. I'll get down the tack shop, been meaning to get her her own hat anyway. I wear one myself and was kicking myself she didn't have one on. Luckily she wasn't hurt, just frightened.
 
Thanks again for all your responses, it has given me the confidence that I'm right that the pony isn't suitable.

To be fair to them, I'd be surprised if they don't take her off the school anyway without me saying anything, but now I am clear and confident in my mind about what to do if they don't.

I'll talk the school and let them know I'd prefer if she didn't ride her at all but if this is unavoidable under no circumstance is she to go off lead rein.

It's one thing me falling off, I'm a grown up and aware of the risks, but quite another to see your tiny child come off in such a scary way and know that you put them in that situation in the first place. I'd have been worried getting back on a horse that had done that so I was really proud of her for getting straight back on.
 
Not necessarily directly relevant to your situation, but I feel it ought to be pointed out that even the safest horses have their moments.

My 20-year-old, 13.1hh Highland is generally fab - he looks after me and my dodgy knee, does the occasional lesson on the riding school where we keep him, and has introduced upwards of 30 small kids and nervous adults to western and jousting. He's well-known at our yard as being the perfect family pony.

Last week, when walking on a long rein to cool off, he did a 160-degree spin and took off in canter, bucking. I hit the deck. Fun times. He's not a machine, and he's a bit bored because he's coming back from a tendon injury and is only allowed to do minimal 'interesting' stuff in the school. These things happen. Sometimes I wish they didn't, but they do.

Obviously, it's a good idea to have your daughter put back on the lunge/lead-rein for a while when she's riding that pony, but it's probably a little hasty to write said pony off as unsuitable on the basis of a couple of moments of awkwardness. Some of my favourite ponies as a kid were ones I came off a few times when I was first working out their quirks.
 
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