Riding school pony - shot off in canter and bucked

pennandh said:
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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😀 I take your point, I don't mind giving the pony the benefit of the doubt as long as daughter is safely on lead rein until she's got a much more secure seat and has grown a fair bit.

Your pony sounds lovely (except for that one incident!). I rode a highland on holiday, so sure footed and as comfy as an armchair. He was fab.
 
You're completely within your right to say you don't want your daughter to ride the pony again. You're still a client at the end of the day and your daughter's safety is number one!

I remember my first fall still so well. I was seven, the pony spooked at someone trimming the hedge, went bombing off across the diagonal and put in a big buck! She was a little monkey anyway and not suited to being a riding school pony. She was a typical cheeky Welsh and I saw a fair few people being bucked off her or carted off with over the years (we kept my pony there on livery). I think the yard owner got people to ride it to give it some miles under its belt TBH.

Yes horses are unpredictable, but some are much more suited to being in a RS than others.
 
Haven't read all replies but this is my tuppence-worth ;) Size shouldn't be an issue. A safe horse/pony is a safe horse/pony. I live in Argentina and all children learn to ride on horses (general opinion is that ponies are little sh*** ;) ) I don't think this particular pony is suitable for a 6-yo. Then again, all horses will have off days and you might've just been unlucky. Also, your daughter WILL fall off again, as will you and almost everyone I know who rides with any regularity. I myself am an old pro at it (but I do ride a lot of young and silly horses) :p Don't be discouraged, well done on your daughter for getting back on.
 
I remember on an early lesson at the RS, I'd be about 8 (though had been riding at the walk for a few years on arcade ponies) being given a pony called Rocky, 14.2 who was generally a bit of a star, it was a privilege to be thought decent and big enough to ride him. I gave him a normal pony club kick on at the bottom of the paddock but didn't remember to turn him; he went straight over the school rails and I fell off in a bog of nettles. It wasn't his fault, I gave the wrong signals and he obeyed them. Dad and the instructor were horrified, I was laughing and asking to jump again.
As long as daughter is still keen, I'd make light of it; the more you dwell or make a production of it the worse it will make it.
Alternatively, if your nerves can't stand it, don't let her have lessons if that's the only available pony.
 
This pony OP refers to sounds like its gone stale from being in a riding school. It happens, little ponies get sick of being led around and/or having to keep to the rules in the confines of a disciplined and structured set-up, and this one obviously needs to be sold on to a family where it can do stuff like pony club & lots of activity to keep it stimulated.

It can also happen with RDA horses/ponies too; when they're out of that situation then they'll often just kick their heels up and say thanks but I've had enough of having to toe the line! Then everyone is surprised at it and say Oh dear it was an ex-riding school and/or RDA pony so it really shouldn't have done that.

The problem is that ponies are ponies and sometimes too much of the intensive atmosphere of a riding school and having to cope with little ones clambering all over them, pulling at their mouths and bumping around on their backs, only serves to make them thoroughly sick of the whole process and they just get stale and want out, which is patently what's happened here.

One can only hope that the RS in question realise that this pony needs out, and do their best to find it a decent home.
 
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PapaFrita said:
Haven't read all replies but this is my tuppence-worth ;) Size shouldn't be an issue. A safe horse/pony is a safe horse/pony. I live in Argentina and all children learn to ride on horses (general opinion is that ponies are little sh*** ;) ) I don't think this particular pony is suitable for a 6-yo. Then again, all horses will have off days and you might've just been unlucky. Also, your daughter WILL fall off again, as will you and almost everyone I know who rides with any regularity. I myself am an old pro at it (but I do ride a lot of young and silly horses) :p Don't be discouraged, well done on your daughter for getting back on.
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Ha ha I know, I've already fallen off a fair few times, don't think quite at 7 though so can't be classed a rider yet but sure I will get there. As someone who is quite old (don't bounce) not very brave and has two young children and a full time job, I'm not in a rush to get up to 7!
 
Maesfen said:
I remember on an early lesson at the RS, I'd be about 8 (though had been riding at the walk for a few years on arcade ponies) being given a pony called Rocky, 14.2 who was generally a bit of a star, it was a privilege to be thought decent and big enough to ride him. I gave him a normal pony club kick on at the bottom of the paddock but didn't remember to turn him; he went straight over the school rails and I fell off in a bog of nettles. It wasn't his fault, I gave the wrong signals and he obeyed them. Dad and the instructor were horrified, I was laughing and asking to jump again.
As long as daughter is still keen, I'd make light of it; the more you dwell or make a production of it the worse it will make it.
Alternatively, if your nerves can't stand it, don't let her have lessons if that's the only available pony.
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To be fair though, that's different to a pony suddenly taking off in canter and bucking, it's a miscommunication as you say.

I've fallen off and it has been something i did, or tack malfunction, or just balance and got back on, it happens.

In any case, she doesn't want to ride that pony again, starting crying when I mentioned riding at the weekend. i'm not going to make a production of it, I didn't at the time and haven't since. I'll ask for her to have the little pony for a bit until her nerves have settled then she can go back with this one on lead rein until she's confident/more able (assuming RS keep her on the school).
 
Could be something wrong with the saddle/tack not tacked up properly or the pony itself or could be just too well. You could go no forever finding whys
 
A different view- I am responsible for licensing schools across middle England.

The horses must be fit for purpose as must be the environment and the tack. Clients are paying for a service, it is a hire and reward situation. Of course horses are anything but predictable and yes even the most steady of horses can have a moment of madness but within a school environment it is up to the staff to manage their horses to ensure they are as safe as possible for the task they are being asked to do. Depending on that task, which can be a grand prix lesson or a tiny tot on a mini shetland the horse must be fit for purpose.

All schools must keep an accident book and each accident must detail which horse was involved. A licensing officer will notice a pattern if a particular horses name keep appearing. In my professional view the pony the OP's child was on is not fit for purpose. A real lead rein pony will merely stop when the rider bumbles about on top not clear off into the blue yonder with its head between its knees. I expect it was a younger pony not established in its work and the OP has every right to question the school. Had the child toppled off through lack of balance from a pony that was doing nothing more than move forwards as requested that would be classed as a normal everyday fall, chucked off is not normal and certainly not acceptable.
 
AdorableAlice said:
A different view- I am responsible for licensing schools across middle England.

The horses must be fit for purpose as must be the environment and the tack. Clients are paying for a service, it is a hire and reward situation. Of course horses are anything but predictable and yes even the most steady of horses can have a moment of madness but within a school environment it is up to the staff to manage their horses to ensure they are as safe as possible for the task they are being asked to do. Depending on that task, which can be a grand prix lesson or a tiny tot on a mini shetland the horse must be fit for purpose.

All schools must keep an accident book and each accident must detail which horse was involved. A licensing officer will notice a pattern if a particular horses name keep appearing. In my professional view the pony the OP's child was on is not fit for purpose. A real lead rein pony will merely stop when the rider bumbles about on top not clear off into the blue yonder with its head between its knees. I expect it was a younger pony not established in its work and the OP has every right to question the school. Had the child toppled off through lack of balance from a pony that was doing nothing more than move forwards as requested that would be classed as a normal everyday fall, chucked off is not normal and certainly not acceptable.
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Thanks *AdorableAlice*. That's what I thought. And I'm not 100% sure but I think the pony is more green than sour.

I lurk here a lot and I love reading about Ted's adventures btw 😊
 
blitznbobs said:
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
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This. But if this is the second time its done this then simply tell the place on booking your next lesson that you dont want her on that pony again. If they dont have enough little ponies, ask when specifically what day/time slot she could be guaranteed a pony of the right size?
 
I think you should request a different horse/pony. I think the size issue is far less relevant than the temperament, so long as she is comfortable. The pony is not suitable due to temperament rather than size. If there is another pony who is slightly bigger but actually much quieter I'd try that option before giving up on the yard. It's also important to remember different horses take up the leg to differing extents on width not just height. I worked on a riding yard as a teenager and we had a wonderful old lightly built 15.2 mare who was as safe as houses and a lot of the kids felt much happier on her than on the smaller rotund ponies. If there are no suitable options then you will need to go elsewhere.
 
Regardless of whether the pony was suitable or not, if you don't want your daughter to ride it, you are perfectly within your rights to request she doesn't ride it. If the only reason was the pony was grey and she doesn't like grey ponies that's her (your) prerogative and, as the customer, they should make sure you're happy.
 
cyberhorse said:
I think you should request a different horse/pony. I think the size issue is far less relevant than the temperament, so long as she is comfortable. The pony is not suitable due to temperament rather than size. If there is another pony who is slightly bigger but actually much quieter I'd try that option before giving up on the yard. It's also important to remember different horses take up the leg to differing extents on width not just height. I worked on a riding yard as a teenager and we had a wonderful old lightly built 15.2 mare who was as safe as houses and a lot of the kids felt much happier on her than on the smaller rotund ponies. If there are no suitable options then you will need to go elsewhere.
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Thank you, food for thought. They have some lovely steady horses there that I've ridden who I totally trust.

This pony is actually not of the small round variety but is a 13h (ish?) small cob who is used for adults too. I have often ridden ponies that size and I'm 5'3. But yes, if she was big and steady as a rock I wouldn't be bothered. Daughter does look like a pea on a drum on her though (she is a petite, just turned 6).

I actually don't want to give up the yard because generally I think they are very good. I've got a good relationship with them, especially my instructor who I really trust and has actually been teaching me how to ride correctly after a few years giving money to expensive schools who let me jump before I could steer or sit to canter or do sitting trot. So I know they're not irresponsible.

I'll talk to them and we will figure it out. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't being over the top being worried first.
 
My auntie owns a large busy riding school and has ponies of all different sizes and shapes for all different abilities. Some of the sharpest ponies we've had have been 11-12hh and the quietest we've got at the moment is 13.3 and often used on lessons with smaller jockeys as shes so quiet, so id have to say the size is irrelevant. I totally disagree with what was said earlier about it it being the worst job for ponies ours live out all year round have 2 days off a week and are not 'brain dead' and totally spoilt rotten by the clients. But even the quietest ponies have their off days or days where they are feeling a bit fresh but we do our very best to pick suitable ponies for each lesson.

All i can suggest is you have a word with the instructor or yard manager and voice your concern and ask for your daughter to be put on a different pony next time. Unfortunately things like this will happen around horses, we would have suggested after the first time the pony took off with her putting her on a quieter pony to get her confidence back for a few weeks.
 
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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No this pony is not suitable for teaching your child to ride. As a retired riding school owner your child needs to be on a pony that enables her to be balanced.

Take your child to the school with more ponies and let her learn there. You carry on riding at the other. The safety and welfare of your child is far more important than your son being able to have a pony ride.

Someone mentioned that they used to fall off a lit at the same age, I don't agree that this is a necessary at all. We prided ourselves in the fact we had very few falls especially considering 300+ riders came through the school each week.
 
Tnavas said:
No this pony is not suitable for teaching your child to ride. As a retired riding school owner your child needs to be on a pony that enables her to be balanced.

Take your child to the school with more ponies and let her learn there. You carry on riding at the other. *The safety and welfare of your child is far more important than your son being able to have a pony ride.*

Someone mentioned that they used to fall off a lit at the same age, I don't agree that this is a necessary at all. We prided ourselves in the fact we had very few falls especially considering 300+ riders came through the school each week.
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Thanks for replying and appreciate the perspective from a retired riding school owner.

But I'm not sure where I suggested that my daughter's safety is less important than a pony ride!! The whole point of the thread is her safety! I might be a novice rider, that does not make me an irresponsible parent.
 
My daughter was completely put off riding by a similar experience. Spooky pony, shot off in canter, daughter came off and sprained ankle. Lost confidence, never went back. Don't risk it!
 
I taught in riding schools for a lot of years. Sometimes the ponies are just little gits, but little git behaviour twice in a row would have been enough for us to reassess that pony. There were also some kids who didnt get on with some ponies. There would have been no issue at all if a parent didnt want a child on a particular pony. I'd have a chat with the riding school. I'm sure you can work it out some how :)
 
Whatever the reasons for this happening, and there could be many, the pony in question clearly isn't suitable for your daughter (first instance could be written off but twice isn't worth the risk) just tell the riding school not to put her on that pony again, could you maybe change days/times to when they have a suitable one available? Get her body protector ASAP too! I know accidents will always happen with horses but as a mum myself I know how scary it is to see your kids fall and a 13hh pony for a small just turned 6yr old is a fair way to fall. Great that she got back on though! alternatively if the school struggle to match her with something suitable maybe you could look into finding a suitable part loan for her and your son and have private lessons on that?
 
numptynovice said:
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.
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numptynovice said:
Thanks for replying and appreciate the perspective from a retired riding school owner.

But I'm not sure where I suggested that my daughter's safety is less important than a pony ride!! The whole point of the thread is her safety! I might be a novice rider, that does not make me an irresponsible parent.
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My comment was that your daughters safety is paramount, and if you go to the other school your son will have to miss out on his ride
 
Tnavas said:
My comment was that your daughters safety is paramount, and if you go to the other school your son will have to miss out on his ride
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Of course I would prefer to sort it out at my current yard as so far it has suited us best out of all the local yards, that's why we go there. It would be much easier if we all go to the same place as riding has to be fitted in round other weekend activitities for the children and my full time job. I intend to talk to them and I'm sure I will be able to resolve it.

Just to be clear though, there is no way my daughter's safety comes behind my convenience and my son's pony ride and if it can't be resolved she will stop riding there, period.
 
FrankieCob said:
I taught in riding schools for a lot of years. Sometimes the ponies are just little gits, but little git behaviour twice in a row would have been enough for us to reassess that pony. There were also some kids who didnt get on with some ponies. There would have been no issue at all if a parent didnt want a child on a particular pony. I'd have a chat with the riding school. I'm sure you can work it out some how :)[/QUOTE

I'm sure we can too. Thank you.
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rowan666 said:
Whatever the reasons for this happening, and there could be many, the pony in question clearly isn't suitable for your daughter (first instance could be written off but twice isn't worth the risk) just tell the riding school not to put her on that pony again, could you maybe change days/times to when they have a suitable one available? Get her body protector ASAP too! I know accidents will always happen with horses but as a mum myself I know how scary it is to see your kids fall and a 13hh pony for a small just turned 6yr old is a fair way to fall. Great that she got back on though! alternatively if the school struggle to match her with something suitable maybe you could look into finding a suitable part loan for her and your son and have private lessons on that?
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That's the plan. I will get her a BP this weekend! Yes, it's horrible seeing them fall, especially in such a scary way and it was a long way to fall, not like tumbling off a Shetland. I would love to do a part loan of something but we are so short of time and I'd need lots of stable management/ground work lessons first. Also husband is resolutely resisting the notion of shares which I suggest from time to time. He doesn't particularly like me riding and is deathly opposed to the idea of ever owning a horse and I'm sure he thinks (probably correctly) that sharing is a slippery slope to ownership . I'm working on him though and have got him on a horse a few times for little family hacks on holiday.
 
Personally I fail to see how people can make judgement that a pony is clearly not suitable to be in a riding school whatsoever and should be removed immediately, from a post on the Internet...
 
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