Taming Feral Pony

[Hanw1]

Hi All

I am in the process of rescuing a semi feral / wild pony from a charity in the Welsh Mountains.
I have owned horses all my life and very experienced rider and handler - however this is going to be my first rescue. I am rescuing a 12h 3yr gelding who loves attention in the field but has never actually had a headcollar on etc... so he has lots to learn.

I have 2 ponies already - one 14.1 Arab X 29yrs old that I have owner for 11years and then other 14.2 23yrs TB X that I have owned for 4years - they are as good as gold and very friendly boys. They will certainly be able to teach the youngster a few things. My 2 boys are very sensitive and always look at me for confidence - we have a very strong bond.


The pony has only had minimal contact with humans and I have been advised he is very friendly in the field and will always approach humans for a rub and cuddle - I have already bought a safety field headcollar for him for when I eventually turn him out.

The charity has advised that on arrival I stable him for at least 3-4 days until he gets to know me, my voice etc. I have lots of books arriving and have read many forums about how to start the bonding with the pony.
Patience and time is obviously key but I wondered if anyone has any positive comments / advice please?
I am well aware this is going to be challenging - but any advise is welcome.

Thanks for reading

Hannah

 

[Auslander]

Have you reported the charity - it must be pretty awful if you have to rescue a pony from it!

Joking aside - have you really thought this through? I take it this is a colt, who presumably hasn't been health checked, vaccinated, wormed, had his feet done etc - all the basics that this charity should be doing before rehoming their ponies. Id be inclined to look at ponies from somewhere like WHW, the Blue Cross, AN Other - who rehome responsibly - it really doesn't sound like this outfit (are they really a registered charity?) is doing things properly.

 

[Hanw1]

Have you reported the charity - it must be pretty awful if you have to rescue a pony from it!

Joking aside - have you really thought this through? I take it this is a colt, who presumably hasn't been health checked, vaccinated, wormed, had his feet done etc - all the basics that this charity should be doing before rehoming their ponies. Id be inclined to look at ponies from somewhere like WHW, the Blue Cross, AN Other - who rehome responsibly - it really doesn't sound like this outfit (are they really a registered charity?) is doing things properly.

Yes they are a registered charity and have done all the checks and rehome responsibly.
Thanks for your comments - but all ponies from all charities / rescue centres need rehoming.

Ta

 

[Auslander]

Yes they are a registered charity and have done all the checks and rehome responsibly.
Thanks for your comments - but all ponies from all charities / rescue centres need rehoming.

Ta

So he's not feral and unhandled then, if he's been gelded, vaccinated, trimmed, wormed, health checked, etc? In that case, I'm sorry to have responded inappropriately.

 

[Hanw1]

So he's not feral and unhandled then, if he's been gelded, vaccinated, trimmed, wormed, health checked, etc? In that case, I'm sorry to have responded inappropriately.

No Probs - hence the word semi feral.

thanks

 

[Auslander]

No Probs - hence the word semi feral.

thanks

I'm fascinated to find out how they did all that if he hasn't ever had a headcollar on

 

[Brigz]

Fantastic..well done for offering this little one a home..unfortunately you will always receive sarcastic comments from a few.

Your request for helpful advice was obviously overlooked by that person above.

If you can't say anything helpful, I suggest you keep that to yourself AUSLANDER..you are being nothing but awkward. Clearly this is a pony that had been handled probably briefing whilst doing the necessaries and had since been turned out in a herd.

Get a bloody grip! What the hell does it matter to you which charity he is from...jeez...I cant believe how pathetic some people are...this is about someone asking for advice not a lecture or multiple stupid remarks from people like you!

 

[Hanw1]

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and supporting & understanding

 

[Bellaboo18]

OP, as long as the pony has had all the necessary care to make him suitable for rehoming even if he's only lightly handled he'll be far from semi-feral.
If he's turned out now, id turn him out when he gets to you. If he's not been in a stable before it'd be very stressful to be in a stable for days. Turn him out in a field safe headcollar and give him time to settle in. Do your jobs around him and he'll gain confidence from your other horses. I think it's a case of slowly, slowly. Good luck.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Fantastic..well done for offering this little one a home..unfortunately you will always receive sarcastic comments from a few.

Your request for helpful advice was obviously overlooked by that person above.

If you can't say anything helpful, I suggest you keep that to yourself AUSLANDER..you are being nothing but awkward. Clearly this is a pony that had been handled probably briefing whilst doing the necessaries and had since been turned out in a herd.

Get a bloody grip! What the hell does it matter to you which charity he is from...jeez...I cant believe how pathetic some people are...this is about someone asking for advice not a lecture or multiple stupid remarks from people like you!

What a strange first post...

 

[Bellaboo18]

OP just to be clear Dairyfree is a troll so just ignore them.

 

[Auslander]

Fantastic..well done for offering this little one a home..unfortunately you will always receive sarcastic comments from a few.

Your request for helpful advice was obviously overlooked by that person above.

If you can't say anything helpful, I suggest you keep that to yourself AUSLANDER..you are being nothing but awkward. Clearly this is a pony that had been handled probably briefing whilst doing the necessaries and had since been turned out in a herd.

Get a bloody grip! What the hell does it matter to you which charity he is from...jeez...I cant believe how pathetic some people are...this is about someone asking for advice not a lecture or multiple stupid remarks from people like you!

Welcome to the forum - I look forward to more of your valuable input

 

[Sail_away]

Fantastic..well done for offering this little one a home..unfortunately you will always receive sarcastic comments from a few.

Your request for helpful advice was obviously overlooked by that person above.

If you can't say anything helpful, I suggest you keep that to yourself AUSLANDER..you are being nothing but awkward. Clearly this is a pony that had been handled probably briefing whilst doing the necessaries and had since been turned out in a herd.

Get a bloody grip! What the hell does it matter to you which charity he is from...jeez...I cant believe how pathetic some people are...this is about someone asking for advice not a lecture or multiple stupid remarks from people like you!

And what helpful advice have you offered to the poster?? If you want to help then don’t try to derail the thread into an argument.
Op, he doesn’t sound very feral, I think you’ll be okay. He approaches people willingly and they’ve managed to get all the basics of healthcare for him done. Personally I wouldn’t stable him 24/7 for the first days, it doesn’t have to be a huge field if you’re worried about catching him but stabling when he’s not used to it will stress him out. What’s the setup like at your yard? Will he be able to interact with other horses in the first couple of weeks?

 

[Chinchilla]

There is actually a welsh charity that rehomes ponies feral in the literal sense - not just a bit skittish. Maybe OP is getting one of their ponies?

 

[paddy555]

I have dealt with several semi feral ponies. First thing is to stable him. Next sit in the stable on a bucket and talk to him. Leave him buckets of feed in the stable so he gets the idea of putting his head in a bucket and finding something nice. Then sit on your bucket, hold a feed bucket between your knees and let him come up and eat out of the bucket. If he is happy you can stroke the side of his face. Next step is to put an open headcollar (noseband opened) in the bucket so that when he puts his head in to eat it is next to and inside the headcollar, then gently pull the headcollar up as he is eating and fasten it.

This shouldn't take very long to do, an afternoon especially if he is friendly in the field.
After this you need to get him to learn to be touched all over. Tie a stuffed glove on the end of a along stick/cane and use that as a hand to teach him to be touched all over, under his belly, his legs.

I have found with these ponies you have to actually "do" something. They don't improve by just being in the stable, getting a feed bucket and looking at you. The above method works quickly so you can progress to better things.

If you are not sure how to do the bucket between your knees and headcollar practise with your old arab first.

 

[paddy555]

Have you reported the charity - it must be pretty awful if you have to rescue a pony from it!

Joking aside - have you really thought this through? I take it this is a colt, who presumably hasn't been health checked, vaccinated, wormed, had his feet done etc - all the basics that this charity should be doing before rehoming their ponies. Id be inclined to look at ponies from somewhere like WHW, the Blue Cross, AN Other - who rehome responsibly - it really doesn't sound like this outfit (are they really a registered charity?) is doing things properly.

there are charities that rehome semi ferals. We have some down here. There are legitimate charities doing a good job and they are doing nothing wrong and certainly don't need reporting. The ponies they rehome are semi ferals. They have been gathered from the mountains, yarded, turned out in fields and in many cases little more has been done. They are not health checked, vaccinated, wormed or get their feet done. For many their only contact with people is through a cattle crush when they are chipped.
Some of these ponies come from tourist areas and the odd one may be friendly, many are not.

Once a home has been found they are usually driven in from the field and driven into a horsebox/trailer and then it is up to the new owner once they arrive.
The method I have described above works best for dealing with these ponies to get them handleable quickly.

OP, I forgot to say worming is the number one thing. If the pony is young especially worm for roundworm,
I use panacur 5 day guard which can go into feed, they learn to eat feed very quickly. Once wormed keep a close eye on the pony. After a couple of weeks get a worm count done to see what you are left with.
The worst one I did was incredible with various stages of roundworm coming out each day. How it's entire gut wasn't blocked with them I will never know. Oh and watch out for lice at well. They often bring their "friends" with them.

 

[Donkeyslave]

I once had a 6 month old Arabian foal that hadn't been handled and I spent hours with him doing as paddy555 suggests. I also took a book and read aloud to him. With some you need lots of time and infinite patience as you can't force them to trust you. My boy became the best horse I ever owned and stayed with me his whole, long life. Lots of time, love and don't rush him.

 

[Auslander]

there are charities that rehome semi ferals. We have some down here. There are legitimate charities doing a good job and they are doing nothing wrong and certainly don't need reporting. The ponies they rehome are semi ferals. They have been gathered from the mountains, yarded, turned out in fields and in many cases little more has been done. They are not health checked, vaccinated, wormed or get their feet done. For many their only contact with people is through a cattle crush when they are chipped.
Some of these ponies come from tourist areas and the odd one may be friendly, many are not.

Once a home has been found they are usually driven in from the field and driven into a horsebox/trailer and then it is up to the new owner once they arrive.
The method I have described above works best for dealing with these ponies to get them handleable quickly.

OP, I forgot to say worming is the number one thing. If the pony is young especially worm for roundworm,
I use panacur 5 day guard which can go into feed, they learn to eat feed very quickly. Once wormed keep a close eye on the pony. After a couple of weeks get a worm count done to see what you are left with.
The worst one I did was incredible with various stages of roundworm coming out each day. How it's entire gut wasn't blocked with them I will never know. Oh and watch out for lice at well. They often bring their "friends" with them.

I just can't get my head round a charity rehoming ponies that have not had the basics done to them - they are essentially sending out ponies that can't be safely handled, yet need the very basics done - worming, vaccinating, trimming, etc. There is no way on earth I'd have a pony from this sort of environment on my yard - I just can't see past them being a ticking timebomb from a biosecurity point of view, and a potential danger to people who may not realise that they aren't capable of handling a pony that has only ever been herded from place to place. I appreciate that they are deserving of good homes, but I think that the charities that do this should be at least getting the very basics in place before moving them on.
As most people on here know, I have two rescue ponies here - one of them is a terribly frightened little soul, who was only rehomed to us as they knew us already and knew we could help him. The other was in such a state when he arrived at the Blue Cross that his story made the national news. They paid for the extensive veterinary treatment that he needed, they castrated him, trimmed his feet, had his teeth done, vaccinated him and wormed him - as well as making sure that he was well handled and ready to send out into the world. The rehoming fee I paid was in respect of the work and money that they had put into him while he was in their care. I just feel that organisations who rehome animals have a duty of care to make sure that the animals they rehome have had the basics done, and that they have had sufficient handling to be able to do these basics

 

[Hanw1]

I have dealt with several semi feral ponies. First thing is to stable him. Next sit in the stable on a bucket and talk to him. Leave him buckets of feed in the stable so he gets the idea of putting his head in a bucket and finding something nice. Then sit on your bucket, hold a feed bucket between your knees and let him come up and eat out of the bucket. If he is happy you can stroke the side of his face. Next step is to put an open headcollar (noseband opened) in the bucket so that when he puts his head in to eat it is next to and inside the headcollar, then gently pull the headcollar up as he is eating and fasten it.

This shouldn't take very long to do, an afternoon especially if he is friendly in the field.
After this you need to get him to learn to be touched all over. Tie a stuffed glove on the end of a along stick/cane and use that as a hand to teach him to be touched all over, under his belly, his legs.

I have found with these ponies you have to actually "do" something. They don't improve by just being in the stable, getting a feed bucket and looking at you. The above method works quickly so you can progress to better things.

If you are not sure how to do the bucket between your knees and headcollar practise with your old arab first.

Paddy - Thank you so so much for you advice - exactly the advice im after. Really appreciate it. You've really hit the nail on the head there!!
Yes I have discussed our worming programme with vet etc - but again you advice is fantastic. Will try the bucket 'trick' with my old boys first. I have Lice treatment on order for delivery - just in case!

Cannot thank you enough for your guidance and support.

 

[Hanw1]

I once had a 6 month old Arabian foal that hadn't been handled and I spent hours with him doing as paddy555 suggests. I also took a book and read aloud to him. With some you need lots of time and infinite patience as you can't force them to trust you. My boy became the best horse I ever owned and stayed with me his whole, long life. Lots of time, love and don't rush him.

Thank you very much - really appreciate your advice

 

[paddy555]

I just can't get my head round a charity rehoming ponies that have not had the basics done to them - they are essentially sending out ponies that can't be safely handled, yet need the very basics done - worming, vaccinating, trimming, etc. There is no way on earth I'd have a pony from this sort of environment on my yard - I just can't see past them being a ticking timebomb from a biosecurity point of view, and a potential danger to people who may not realise that they aren't capable of handling a pony that has only ever been herded from place to place. I appreciate that they are deserving of good homes, but I think that the charities that do this should be at least getting the very basics in place before moving them on.
As most people on here know, I have two rescue ponies here - one of them is a terribly frightened little soul, who was only rehomed to us as they knew us already and knew we could help him. The other was in such a state when he arrived at the Blue Cross that his story made the national news. They paid for the extensive veterinary treatment that he needed, they castrated him, trimmed his feet, had his teeth done, vaccinated him and wormed him - as well as making sure that he was well handled and ready to send out into the world. The rehoming fee I paid was in respect of the work and money that they had put into him while he was in their care. I just feel that organisations who rehome animals have a duty of care to make sure that the animals they rehome have had the basics done, and that they have had sufficient handling to be able to do these basics

What you find strange I just find normal. I have had ponies like this, I have halter trained quite a few. We are not talking about horses but semi feral ponies. They are not rescue horses who have had heavens knows what happen to them. I have had several of those. Give me a dozen unhandled semi ferals any day. They are a piece of cake in comparison.

as far as a ticking timebomb from a security POV I don't get it. I ride through herds of these ponies on the moorland daily. We get close to them, the foals come up and try and follow us, we ride across bogs behind the herd as they show us the track. They wander daily up and down the road past us. We go out for picnics on the horses, our horses are turned loose at lunchtime and graze the same area as the ponies have. What am I supposed to be scared of? I have kept horses this way for 45 years. Nothing whatsoever has happened to them living an area with loose ponies all around us. I have taken semi ferals in both to keep and to halter train for others. We are all quite safe.
If I had to take a horse that had come from say an eventing yard or a livery yard I would be a lot more worried. What shows had it been to? what horses had it been in contact with? what bugs was it bringing in.

As for castrating, vaccs etc that is not difficult. Most people are capable of ringing the vet to arrange an appointment. Most understand the need to castrate males. If they have been running in mountain/moorland in a natural environment most don't need their feet trimming for a while. They have been self trimming.

People taking on these semi ferals usually had experience, many had their own transport and horses at home. People often undertook training to learn how to handle semi ferals. They are not difficult. I have seen follow up pics/write ups about several. Why do you assume that people need an "expert" to do basic handling.
Worming is easy to do, most quickly learn what a bucket of feed is or they can have a syringe wormer.

The OP on here is typical of many I have come across, own horses, riding experience and OK they have to learn slightly different techniques but it is hardly rocket science.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Fantastic..well done for offering this little one a home..unfortunately you will always receive sarcastic comments from a few.

Your request for helpful advice was obviously overlooked by that person above.

If you can't say anything helpful, I suggest you keep that to yourself AUSLANDER..you are being nothing but awkward. Clearly this is a pony that had been handled probably briefing whilst doing the necessaries and had since been turned out in a herd.

Get a bloody grip! What the hell does it matter to you which charity he is from...jeez...I cant believe how pathetic some people are...this is about someone asking for advice not a lecture or multiple stupid remarks from people like you!

That is so rude! Auslander actually touched on a valid point if the pony was truly feral it would not have been handled at all, with that stinking attitude I can see you won't last long on here good luck

 

[Bellaboo18]

There is actually a welsh charity that rehomes ponies feral in the literal sense - not just a bit skittish. Maybe OP is getting one of their ponies?

I think I know the charity you mean but I don't think they re-home as old as 3 years old do they and they're not gelded?

 

[Chinchilla]

I think I know the charity you mean but I don't think they re-home as old as 3 years old do they and they're not gelded?

They sometimes post in a horse group for my local area and seem to have all ages. I always thought it was a bit cheeky though as for the same adoption fee you could get a gelded, vaccinated, handled/even broken in pony from bluecross, mare & foal, rspca etc. I never have seen them offering gelded ponies but could be wrong on that - I try not to look anymore tbh, sorry.

 

[Chinchilla]

Though I just looked for the page I thought I meant on FB and couldn't find it ?

 

[Brigz]

That is so rude! Auslander actually touched on a valid point if the pony was truly feral it would not have been handled at all, with that stinking attitude I can see you won't last long on here good luck

Lol

 

[Hanw1]

What you find strange I just find normal. I have had ponies like this, I have halter trained quite a few. We are not talking about horses but semi feral ponies. They are not rescue horses who have had heavens knows what happen to them. I have had several of those. Give me a dozen unhandled semi ferals any day. They are a piece of cake in comparison.

as far as a ticking timebomb from a security POV I don't get it. I ride through herds of these ponies on the moorland daily. We get close to them, the foals come up and try and follow us, we ride across bogs behind the herd as they show us the track. They wander daily up and down the road past us. We go out for picnics on the horses, our horses are turned loose at lunchtime and graze the same area as the ponies have. What am I supposed to be scared of? I have kept horses this way for 45 years. Nothing whatsoever has happened to them living an area with loose ponies all around us. I have taken semi ferals in both to keep and to halter train for others. We are all quite safe.
If I had to take a horse that had come from say an eventing yard or a livery yard I would be a lot more worried. What shows had it been to? what horses had it been in contact with? what bugs was it bringing in.

As for castrating, vaccs etc that is not difficult. Most people are capable of ringing the vet to arrange an appointment. Most understand the need to castrate males. If they have been running in mountain/moorland in a natural environment most don't need their feet trimming for a while. They have been self trimming.

People taking on these semi ferals usually had experience, many had their own transport and horses at home. People often undertook training to learn how to handle semi ferals. They are not difficult. I have seen follow up pics/write ups about several. Why do you assume that people need an "expert" to do basic handling.
Worming is easy to do, most quickly learn what a bucket of feed is or they can have a syringe wormer.

The OP on here is typical of many I have come across, own horses, riding experience and OK they have to learn slightly different techniques but it is hardly rocket science.

Very well said.
You’ve been such a great help and just reading your comments / support really helps. Thank you again.

 

[Hanw1]

Very well said.
You’ve been such a great help and just reading your comments / support really helps. Thank you again.

Very well said.
You’ve been such a great help and just reading your comments / support really helps. Thank you again.

What you find strange I just find normal. I have had ponies like this, I have halter trained quite a few. We are not talking about horses but semi feral ponies. They are not rescue horses who have had heavens knows what happen to them. I have had several of those. Give me a dozen unhandled semi ferals any day. They are a piece of cake in comparison.

as far as a ticking timebomb from a security POV I don't get it. I ride through herds of these ponies on the moorland daily. We get close to them, the foals come up and try and follow us, we ride across bogs behind the herd as they show us the track. They wander daily up and down the road past us. We go out for picnics on the horses, our horses are turned loose at lunchtime and graze the same area as the ponies have. What am I supposed to be scared of? I have kept horses this way for 45 years. Nothing whatsoever has happened to them living an area with loose ponies all around us. I have taken semi ferals in both to keep and to halter train for others. We are all quite safe.
If I had to take a horse that had come from say an eventing yard or a livery yard I would be a lot more worried. What shows had it been to? what horses had it been in contact with? what bugs was it bringing in.

As for castrating, vaccs etc that is not difficult. Most people are capable of ringing the vet to arrange an appointment. Most understand the need to castrate males. If they have been running in mountain/moorland in a natural environment most don't need their feet trimming for a while. They have been self trimming.

People taking on these semi ferals usually had experience, many had their own transport and horses at home. People often undertook training to learn how to handle semi ferals. They are not difficult. I have seen follow up pics/write ups about several. Why do you assume that people need an "expert" to do basic handling.
Worming is easy to do, most quickly learn what a bucket of feed is or they can have a syringe wormer.

The OP on here is typical of many I have come across, own horses, riding experience and OK they have to learn slightly different techniques but it is hardly rocket science.

Hi Paddy!
Hope your ok... any tips of starting the process of leading the ponies? He digs his heels in currently then will bolt forward .... but I have held on EVERYTIME then released ... shall I carry on? Should I use a lunge line instead of lead rope? This evening he didn’t bolt , he just shot forward in a fast walk lol. Then stopped. He is very clever and picking everything up in his stride , I am very proud of him. But any advice on the leasing process will be much appreciated . Thank you x