Tricky little pony - what to do?

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Tiggy1

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Long story but here we go:-
I bought said pony last October - stunning little section A previous home for 5 years but slightly aggressive / nippy ears back in stable when went to view but went sweetly with child on board.
Liked pony and bought him.
Due to weather and way he was kept in previous home (3 hours turnout and humungous feeds twice a day) kept in original routine for 2 week trial period to check he was safe then turned out and roughed off for winter to give opportunity to chill out.
He has now been brought in sent to boot camp for two weeks where the pony was foot perfect - more stop than go, ideal for 5 year old child.
Brought home 48 hours ago.
Went to carry on with boot camp routine following morning and pony became nutter - trying to climb out over stable door, stressed etc etc.
Could cry...
Will attempt again tommorrow but is it grass coming through, settling back in, back with mare (although in other side of electric fence).
Not expecting overnight miracles but love the pony want to give benefit of doubt.
He has obviously been hurt in someway in the past as he is very distrusting of strangers.

What to do!!!
 
When you say he was trying to climb out over the stable door , was he in on his own when not used to , my boy is fine to bring in on his own as long as you tie him up outside the stable , he'll stand all day like that on his own but becomes immediately stressy if you shut him in? I think the change in routine is a major factor , so don't stress yourself up , give him plenty of turnout but still do daily regular work with him and make the boot camp routine a little more flexible , and work up to the routine you want in smaller bits . He could be taking the p**s and also the grass is coming through so i wouldn't rule that out either , it's early days and if the pony has been foot perfect at boot camp then i'm sure he will be again ...routine is everything , but he's got to get used to being at home again and he may associate that with kicking his heels up and chilling out , be firm but fair and always try to leave things on a positive note..
 
He will stand in by himslef or with mates.
I am probably expecting too much on first day back home so will try again tommorrow. Ponies are not machines. Will try tacking up and brushing etc from field with calmers etc and see what happens.
Problems was I sold a 10.1hh saint and he is proving ireplacable at the moment, then you start doubting your own capabilites.
Need to take step back and try again.

Deep breath we will get there....

Being married to horse hating farmer does not help either!!!!
 
Tiggy1 said:
He will stand in by himslef or with mates.
I am probably expecting too much on first day back home so will try again tommorrow. Ponies are not machines. Will try tacking up and brushing etc from field with calmers etc and see what happens.
Problems was I sold a 10.1hh saint and he is proving ireplacable at the moment, then you start doubting your own capabilites.
Need to take step back and try again.

Deep breath we will get there....

Being married to horse hating farmer does not help either!!!!
Click to expand...

Yes just give it time, you'll get there :) Don't doubt yourself, you CAN do this! Any photos of the handsome lad?? :p
 
I've never heard of a horse loving farmer! When you roughed off your little pony i'm guessing that you just took out forage/feed to him in the field? Maybe , as you say he's a little distrusting of strangers , he just needs to feel a little bit more secure in your company , I'm not saying that you havent interacted with him cos i'm sure you have but try spending some quality one to one time , gromming , lead work , groundwork , cuddles and the odd treat can work wonders , soon you and your child will be his new best friends and i'm sure you wont look back. Trying to replace a saint is really difficult but not impossible..good luck.
 
What are you feeding him? What did they feed him at boot camp.

I'd cut out ALL hard feed and give it several days to get out of his system and see how he is then.
 
He only has a tiny handful of happyhoof with carrots when he comes in so nothing really.
When i got him he was being fed double handfull of happhoof, double handful of pony nuts, double handful of alfa a, cup of sugar beet and hay twice a day!! This all on 3 hours turnout!!
No wonder he was grumpy!!!
 
I di a lot of the work with him at boot camp so that shouldn't be the issue with him as when lady schooling him was riding, I did all the leading etc.
Daughter has also been over for couple of lessons when he was absolutely foot perfect.
Will keep pluggin on!!
 
In my experience ponies can vary like mad and its probably the long period of chilling out thats at the root of it. I have had the same kind of issues with previously well behaved ponies when returning to work after winter. I would recommend plenty of regular attention and a routine. We have one at the moment who was previously so saintly that a friend's total novice was happily cantering about on her last year and now she is being so awful that I despair; yet I know that she is a good pony and just needs time.
 
Lunged the little monkey for 20 minutes in his field. To be fair it was blowing a gale, electric fence tape wiggling in the wind and he was good as gold. There was point we looked like having an arguement but that passed quickly!!
Lets see what today brings. Will try and upload a phot for you.
 
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