maisie06
Well-Known Member
Visited a friend of mine this evening to have a nosey at a youngster, she's owned it from a foal and it's always been difficult, I've had a few youngsters in the past including weanlings and a pony straight off the new forest and have never met anything quite like this, all have come around within a few months and have been little sweeties.
From day one this pony has been difficult, it's beautiful, well bred but difficult! As a foal it would bury it's head in the corner of the stable and kick out at anyone coming near it, managed to halter break it and left a catch strap on, it had to be stabled from weaning in october until xmas as it would have been impossible to catch, eventually turned out with another friendly level headed youngster of the same age, was finally coming to be caught, still wearing a catching strap but leading to and from yard nicely - better than the other youngster who was being a cheeeky sod and trying it's luck!
Friends foal was aggressive towards her, a nasty bite and it meant it - in the stable it would constantly either rush at the door or rear and box, I helped her with it and was firm, put it in it's place and we were able to go in the stable and tie it up etc...
Now turned out 24/7 with other youngster, this one is really friendly and will come to be caught/fed/scratched whatever, on super grass and having a nice time being babies, but the friend's pony is ...it' s hard to describe so will do bullet points
1. Doesn't seem to like people at all, uses the other pony as a shield will come over but won't allow you to touch it at all
2 . Can be caught eventually...after getting it into a pen
3. I don't like this......has taken to snatching the rope out of your hands and galloping uncontrollably around the field
4. Panic/meltdown first then think later, so , so reactive, once meltdown is over stands and shakes
5. The "aggressive streak as friend put it - I actually think this is a defence mechanisim, I don't like it, I have never seen anything like it, this will be a big strong cob eventually
6, There's a "look" in it's eyes I really dont like, no softness just pure survival instinct, it's as sharp as a razor
It came from a decent stud, had lived out in a herd, the only thing I can think of is that weaning was so traumatic it's never gotten over it, I have advised selling it, it's a lovely looking animal and would do well with a show producer - friend wants a "pet" more or less to have fun with, this pony isn't fun, it's sould destroying! The pony in with it is by the same sire and an absolute poppet, I admit to being totally out of ideas for this one - she's had professional help but the pony goes from being ok to back to it's old self, doesn't help she'd not very confident with it and IMHO a bit soft - but I'm no expert, it doesn't need beating up but it needs a leader, I can help for a while but I don't want to get too involved. Has anyone ever come across a young horse like this and how did it turn out in the end?
From day one this pony has been difficult, it's beautiful, well bred but difficult! As a foal it would bury it's head in the corner of the stable and kick out at anyone coming near it, managed to halter break it and left a catch strap on, it had to be stabled from weaning in october until xmas as it would have been impossible to catch, eventually turned out with another friendly level headed youngster of the same age, was finally coming to be caught, still wearing a catching strap but leading to and from yard nicely - better than the other youngster who was being a cheeeky sod and trying it's luck!
Friends foal was aggressive towards her, a nasty bite and it meant it - in the stable it would constantly either rush at the door or rear and box, I helped her with it and was firm, put it in it's place and we were able to go in the stable and tie it up etc...
Now turned out 24/7 with other youngster, this one is really friendly and will come to be caught/fed/scratched whatever, on super grass and having a nice time being babies, but the friend's pony is ...it' s hard to describe so will do bullet points
1. Doesn't seem to like people at all, uses the other pony as a shield will come over but won't allow you to touch it at all
2 . Can be caught eventually...after getting it into a pen
3. I don't like this......has taken to snatching the rope out of your hands and galloping uncontrollably around the field
4. Panic/meltdown first then think later, so , so reactive, once meltdown is over stands and shakes
5. The "aggressive streak as friend put it - I actually think this is a defence mechanisim, I don't like it, I have never seen anything like it, this will be a big strong cob eventually
6, There's a "look" in it's eyes I really dont like, no softness just pure survival instinct, it's as sharp as a razor
It came from a decent stud, had lived out in a herd, the only thing I can think of is that weaning was so traumatic it's never gotten over it, I have advised selling it, it's a lovely looking animal and would do well with a show producer - friend wants a "pet" more or less to have fun with, this pony isn't fun, it's sould destroying! The pony in with it is by the same sire and an absolute poppet, I admit to being totally out of ideas for this one - she's had professional help but the pony goes from being ok to back to it's old self, doesn't help she'd not very confident with it and IMHO a bit soft - but I'm no expert, it doesn't need beating up but it needs a leader, I can help for a while but I don't want to get too involved. Has anyone ever come across a young horse like this and how did it turn out in the end?