Shetland pony troubles

Zoe_Morris

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Hello about 8 months ago we resuced a 10.2 shetland pony x appolpasa which was said to be broken in but clearly wasn't. There's multiple ptoblems I hav with him. I am around. 5ft 6 which is clearly to tall but I am deffinatly not outside of his weight carrying limit. Should I ride him?? There is no-one else that is suitable. 2nd dliemma he is a nice pony to lunge other than a couple of things: he tucks his bum under then bolts:heavily falls out on circles. He's not 'bit shy' but doesn't respond well to rein aids and shoots forward when leg aids are used? Solutions??tips?? Final problem he is not my pony and is on a rescue yard where children are taught to ride. We make sure that we include everyone &help them with their issues through horse thearpy. There is a lady that has taken a liking to him. Her methods are not wrong but are not in anyway benefitting the pony for the reason we need him. I have spoken to the yard owner &she agrees with me but is too much of a nice person to ask her too leave or change her ways?? She's VERY rude to people on the yard as she does not know how to deal with people?? Sharing a common intrest in this pony ,I am the only one how could talk to her ??Any suggestions thanks x x x
 
It's always difficult with a 'new' horse, you need to have a very structured and understood timetable. Politely suggest you are working to a system to help the horse relax and understand what is expected? Better you ride him than a small child is injured... I have miniature shetlands and after leaning over them and putting my 'leg over' they are happy and confident when my 4 year old gets on. Good luck xx
 
Thanks , we are meant to be on a schedule however she always breaks it and works him on my days. I really don't know much about his past and it really sad that we can't just stick a child on him :( he even rears up when I put his saddle on which he never used to do (this lady brings her own tack down for him -which sufforgates him because it is so heavily padded) I am worried she yanks the girth up?? She refuses to let him have a bit. I am just worried we are cofusing him now &thats not fair x x x
 
It really sounds like the yard owner needs to get their act together. The pony and its training should be her responsibility and if the other lady has issues where she is coming to the yard as therapy and you aren't greatly experienced at training ponies with problems then it isn't really a fair situation for you, the other woman or the pony. The pony doesn't seem to currently be very suitable to be on a yard like this where children are learning to ride and sometimes 'rescue' seems a very loose term. In my opinion either this pony should be being kept as a petting pony on the yard or sent to someone with a lot of experience at breaking to give it a good start at being a riding pony.
 
He is getting terribly confused. thats why ONE Person should be training the pony. He will actually become quite dangerous in this situation and he can't be very happy with all the mixed signals, not knowing what is right and wrong. Also, you need to remember his capabilities, he is a teeny tiny pony not a big warm blood.
 
He is getting terribly confused. thats why ONE Person should be training the pony. He will actually become quite dangerous in this situation and he can't be very happy with all the mixed signals, not knowing what is right and wrong. Also, you need to remember his capabilities, he is a teeny tiny pony not a big warm blood.

I really understand it's not fair on him hence why I'm seeking advice. I have already spoken to her about her methods maybe I shall just have to talk to her again and she'll have to face up to it? I just don't want her to be rude about it to anyone else. I have heard her in the past be rude to a 7 year old because she wanted to groom him. it's just not on!!(he's okay on the ground stable manners ect)
 
I have had experience at breaking in ponies before. Have done it many times. However I can't deal with the two methods at once. We have defiantly had worse ponies come to us and now complete beginners ride them. I know it seems like a strange set up to have beginners on rescues, But we have people who have been working with horses for a very long time that break/re-school them.
 
Surely it is the YO's place to speak to her not yours??

The pony definitely sounds like it needs a consistent approach.
 
I understand where everyone is coming from but the main aim of our yard is to recue people&poines am I trying to move this woman onto ponies that can help her rather than confusing him? She has moved onto one of our welshys but is now very protective of both. This welsh isn't always 'spook free' but is better than working with our shetland? Ik it sounds odd to people who aren't use to our set up. I can assure you our ponies have the best care from experienced people as well as begginers.
 
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