Selling a problem pony

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Quiksilverthe1st

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I did a rash thing in lockdown. I bought a project pony after our lovely but very elderly loan pony had to go back as she wasn’t sound enough with the level of work we were doing once off lead rein. I had a limited (but what would have been a generous budgets Pre Covid) and desperately needed a pony in a market where demand outstripped what was available.

I bought the pony on the understanding that it was a project, but that meant just some schooling to establish a canter. We tried it out 4 times and I saw nothing of concern. We took our instructor too.

Since we had him home we’ve had no end of issues with him. Initially he bonded with another pony and had horrific separation anxiety. We’ve dealt with that he’s been schooled by the staff at the yard we keep him at. But… in the meantime my husband has been diagnosed with a lifelong health condition and has been in and out of hospital and I have a toddler and a 9 year old and no childcare support and I just can’t put the time I to him he needs.

But, he has a couple of very bad faults. He gets very anxious doing anything new and especially on his own. And two, in the arena he naps if he’s with someone who is novice. Even on lead rein. To the extent he will even do a mini rear. The minute someone who rides gets on he’s absolutely brilliant. But he can spot a novice a mile off. So whilst I can get him shown nicely for sale. People will have problems as soon as they get him home.

I can’t sell him as a companion even because he he frets in his own…. What on earth do I do with him?

I might add he is absolutely perfect to hack in company. Off lead with a beginner and leads from another horse. 100% traffic and flappy plastic bags etc. Good in open spaces. All farm machinery and barking dogs. Comes to call in the field. Kids can climb all over him.

I’m just stuck. I don’t want to cause an accident with a child and I also don’t want him to come to a sticky end. He’s only 11.2hh so finding a capable jockey will be difficult
 
sales livery. With someone good.
Honestly. It sounds like you’ve made your mind up (understandably) but it’s better to send to a pro with quirks disclosed and possibly take a financial hit, than sell privately and possibly have repercussions.

Without knowing about him, he might be a good second pony with some training and a capable jockey so don’t write him off.
 
mini_b said:
sales livery. With someone good.
Honestly. It sounds like you’ve made your mind up (understandably) but it’s better to send to a pro with quirks disclosed and possibly take a financial hit, than sell privately and possibly have repercussions.

Without knowing about him, he might be a good second pony with some training and a capable jockey so don’t write him off.
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Totally agree with this.
 
mini_b said:
sales livery. With someone good.
Honestly. It sounds like you’ve made your mind up (understandably) but it’s better to send to a pro with quirks disclosed and possibly take a financial hit, than sell privately and possibly have repercussions.

Without knowing about him, he might be a good second pony with some training and a capable jockey so don’t write him off.
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I second this.
 
Quiksilverthe1st said:
I might add he is absolutely perfect to hack in company. Off lead with a beginner and leads from another horse. 100% traffic and flappy plastic bags etc. Good in open spaces. All farm machinery and barking dogs. Comes to call in the field. Kids can climb all over him.
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Surely there's a market for this even with his issues?
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He sounds perfect for a kid that likes a challenge and there are plenty. He also is good for messing about with so will appeal to some his napping would be the biggest issue so he might make a good lead rein games pony once revved up so I am sure he will sell. Pony club would be my first thought
 
How big is he? If big enough for a teen or small adult to ride, you should have plenty of potential buyers. It sounds like he'd be easily sorted with an experienced rider. Many ponies aren't suitable for novices
 
ycbm said:
Surely there's a market for this even with his issues?
.
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I’d say so. If sales livery isn’t the way you’d like to go op I’d take some good photos and write an honest advert. Say what you’ve said here. He has issues but he also has nice features and if you aim him at an experienced buyer I’m sure he’s saleable.
 
Sorry about your circumstances, and I totally see why a pony who needs work does not fit in with your life. That being said he will probably be a super pony for the right home. Sell him with full disclosure, there are plenty of gutsy children with good support, but whose parents do not have the budget for a perfect 'made' pony. Good luck, and I do hope that you manage to find him the right home so that you can at least have one less stress in your life.
 
He sounds very much like our old pony, who hated LR, hated doing any sort of work in a school setting, but was quite happy to hack, hunt, and do a PC rally, as long as he wasn't bored. I am sure someone will enjoy your pony, with ours they were slightly older, although novice riders, and he taught them a lot.
 
I'm Dun said:
Absolutely not. Nervous, nappy ponies who rear if pushed should never, ever be driven.
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Too much of a generalisation. A pony who is nervous and nappy with a novice can still make an excellent driver for the right owner. My best driver (12.3hh welsh) would have fit that description. 15 years ago he was in a standing martingale, rearing and spinning to get out of the gate. Even then, he drove 100%, including parades and public events. He was pushed through it, and is now my most reliable pony for a small child novice, on or off lead.

OP, well done for recognising that he isn't right for you. Advertise him honestly, and don't expect ££££'s. Good riders know they can pick up great ponies with 'quirks' for not much. Your pony needs an experienced owner, and the price has to reflect the time and knowledge needed.
 
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