the livery saga part 2..

Just to play devil's advocate, many many years ago, my mum went out and bought a 14.3 cob gelding, who she was told was 4 years old, for my 11 year old sister (complete novice) to ride. My mum had had a pony when she was a child (looked after by a groom) but was really very inexperienced herself. I was 2 at the time, and Mum started me off on this 14.3 as well. It turned out he was only 2, same as me!

That pony did both of us through Pony Club, hunting, hacking alone from an early age, and Mum kept him after we all left home until he eventually was PTS aged 35. He wasn't a particularly talented pony, but boy did he do his job. So it is not always a "disaster waiting to happen" (even though I wouldn't actually recommend anyone do it).

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But surely a just backed 3year old is not suitable for ANY first owner?
I agree with you Hayley - disaster waiting to happen! Is anyone going to be helping them with it?

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NO. you shouldnt generalise like this...! I agree that maybe this case is a disaster waiting to happen but my first pony was an unbacked 4 yr old (i was 14). So i shouldnt have had her should I?everyone has to start somewhere and not everyone can affort to buy a nicely produced pony... I backed and sold on my mare and as others say, she was a quiet cobby type that had far few problems than some of these 'experienced' ponies! OK it could have gone wrong but equally it could have worked out really well... luckily it swung this way.

Sometimes you just have to stand back and let people make their own mistakes. If you dont make mistakes you dont learn. I know that the pony may suffer from their inexperience but hopefully there are other sensible owners at your yard who can keep an eye on them and make sure it doesnt come to this.
 
Have you actually met the pony? I'm really not sure how anyone can judge a pony when they haven't even seen it?

I've sold a number of 3 year olds to novice owners and every single one has done that horse the justice it has deserved. Mind you all of my 3 year olds are wonderfully quiet and have had many hours of gentle training under their belts.

This one may not know how to canter under saddle yet - I see this as a good thing; the child can take her time getting to know the pony at slower speeds first and then gradually move onto faster gaits.

It is interesting that some are suggesting she should have bought an older pony when you mentioned that the other girl has a 16 year old pony who is a bit naughty - age doesn't have a whole lot to do with attitude and often the younger horses/ponies have this great attitude to learning and work, so if I were you I'd just wait and see.
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Fair point Tia, I may well be being narrow minded; but I still hold firm on the point that a recently broken 3 year old isnt really suitable as a 1st pony when there is no knowledgeable support for her. I also don't think the older pony is a suitable 1st pony either.
 
It may end up not being suitable but you need to give the situation a chance first. Not all 3 year olds are loonies, that's all I'm saying
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. I expect if it doesn't work out then they will likely find a more suitable home for the pony. Hopefully it will work though and everyone will be happy.
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Not an ideal situation and haven't read your livery saga 1. However, instead of whining about it on here accept the situation and be the nicest, kindest person on the yard and offer to show and teach them how to do everything, recommend a bloody good instructor, farrier, vet, etc. People have to make their own mistakes sometimes before they learn - I know I have many a time.
 
I'm not pretending to haven't made mistakes; I just used here to vent really.

To me, she'd be much better off on a yard where the owners knew what they were doing and there was support for her. A yard with 6 people on it, and 1 under 16 where she will be in the company of a 13 year old for the main of the time doesn't seem the right choice. Most people are down during the day weekdays to do their horses.
I've nothing against the child; just think its a bit irresponsible of her parents & the YO to allow her a youngster on a somewhat isolated yard as a 1st pony for her.
I do hope it goes well for her.

We've all offered help, advice & support which her parents disregarded time and time again. How can you help people who won't be helped?

My concern is that the situation will escalate into one where myself, and my horse are put in danger.
 
I agree it could be an accident waiting to happen but they are unfortunately going to have to learn the hard way. However it could all turn out to be ok. If it really worries you that much that you feel it is putting you and your horse in danger then you might have to consider moving to another yard. You can say "why should I have to move" but it obviously concerns you that much.
 
I was looking at moving anyway, so I guess I'll be out of it.

I agree they'll learn the hard way; which seems a shame for the pony and the child.
 
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