Running out issues

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Hi, I'm at my wits end.
Bought my son a new pony 8 months ago, due to his older pony needing to be retired. Viewed pony, and seen it run out with rider, but gave the pony, the benefit of the doubt, as rider rushed at jumps and took dodgy lines (on hindsight, maybe this was a tactic/technique required). Son got on well with pony. Bit too forward when jumping, to what we were used to...But pony was chilled in a new environment and sweet natured. It was clear the pony had great talent, so we thought this could be worked on and worth the work.
The running out had been gradually improving, but still very inconsistent. She has developed a talent for it and can lock the neck. Got teeth done and had booked bit consultation, as still felt pony could be a bit strong at time. By the time we got appointment, I was happy with bit we were using but honoured the appointment. Tried the advised new bit, but she bolted on a hack, which never happened before, so went back to old bit. And things settled again. Got physo done and she said pony was completely sound. My son was getting a little defeated with 4/8 faults every round. Hadnt had a clear round since before bit consultation. So got remote reiki done...feeling it must be something deeper. First session, pony bucked quite a bit, which is out of character. Reiki said it was due to releasing tension. OK 2 nights later with flatwork. Followed advice but bucking continued. 4th session back at a show, bucking was constant, which was maybe due to a bit of freshness, ironically went clear... settled for next round, but went back to running out. Only did 4 out of the 6 sessions with reiki and was refunded. That was 2 weeks ago and the running out has got worse. Nastier and more unexpected. Bucking has improved, but have started to lunge before rides which seems to help. Has anyone had a similar sh*t experience? Advice please?
Rider is talking about quitting and I don't want it to be like this. At the start, I seen more rider errors but now, I don't think he deserves the run outs he getting. Pony is smart, 8 years old and has more experience with competitive showjumping. I'm blaming myself for interfering with training/bonding process now.
 
Local vet watched pony compete and just said get a bigger rider on her. Professional instructors all say she's very sound pony and don't think she's in pain. But that's the next/only option now.
Thanks
 
I’m afraid you have fallen into the trap of “it’s everything else but it’s not pain” and have inadvertently spent more money on quick fixes than a vet consultation would have cost. Vet should always be the first stop, then you work on the rest. Good luck, I hope you can find something to fix.
 
Vet. To add to the general voice recommending that! If you are fully insured, I would go for a loss of performance work up at a vet hospital. It’s cheaper in the long run often to get things done by the experts - leaves more money for the actual treatment.

The only thing that would make me not rush off and do the above would be if it’s a filler thing, or only with one rider, or if you haven’t had a second (or third) opinion on saddle fit.
 
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In your shoes I would bute for 2 weeks and see if the behaviour changed at all. If it did for the better then you need to start investigating. I would Bute because you are at that tricky place where behaviour has deteriorated but it’s also never been quite 100% for you to definitely say it’s behaviour/pain and you probably need a little bit more evidence for the vet otherwise it’s a needle in a haystack of where to begin.
While on bute I would get all the basics done properly. Physio to go over back in particular, teeth with proper sedation to check absolutely no issues. Let’s be honest distance Reikki is a load of bullshit and is not going to solve sore muscles.
While on Bute I would lunge over jumps to see if they were erratic in what they did or whether they were a lot happier with no jockey on.
I would also likely get back/neck x rays done pretty quickly as to me it’s the obvious place to start. No obvious signs of lameness but an unhappy pony.
 
1) vet....proper workup etc
2) break from jumping, sounds like if not physical its really SOUR!
3) if you have to take it out jumping having been told by a vet its fine, stick to one class each time until you have got a decent routine going
3) don't ever jump at home, literally take it out for it's class, ponies can get really fed up of jumping all the time, may have mild pain exacerbated by jumping!
 
Another for full vet work up.

However, still pain related, how competent was the previous rider? And how competent is your son?

If the pony was put in a dodgy angles when you went to see it, I would question whether the rider was balanced and competent. Ponies get whacked in the mouth by small riders or get held over a fence. They get jack of it pretty quickly and the swift run out develops. By running out they are avoiding a learned behaviour of pain every time they jump.

Fix the runout but if the pain persists over a fence or by the kid holding the mouth, bucking starts. If they can dislodge the rider, they are avoiding pain.

Kids try their hardest but we really need to teach them that the horse is reacting to pain, either existing or through rider creation.

Hubby is a trainer and lots of problem horses/ponies come to be “fixed”. The riders rarely are accountable for their own skills first and foremost. Good news is, it’s entirely fixable with great results.
 
If pain is ruled out I would be taking that pony out of the arena and out Hunter trialling.

The season is just about to start and you can reset the brain show that jumping is fun. Keep it low it's not about the height and competitive it's teaching fun to horse and rider. If worried about control you can pair up with a horse to set the pace get rider to release and get on with it. Don't bother with the mouth and teach them fun and going forward. Rarely will ponies run out at hunter trials if it's small not over faced and allowed go off at a nice in hand gallop. Suddenly their mouth Isn't interfered with they are allowed go they learn to trust again


It's often why many say take horses hunting remove the arena and a rider trying to see strides etc you 90% of the time remove issues. Without realising young riders especially are often the problem as they try to copy show jumpers without the knowledge nor skill set
 
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