What do I do for the best?

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minwood

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Hi, I've written on here before about my 11 year old daughters pony who she's had for about 6 months. All been fine up until now and she's started playing up- bucking and getting strong, and put it down to weather, feed etc. Today my daughter went in the school and pony started bucking which obviously unnerved her, she got over that and then went into canter, daughter lost a stirrup pony sped up, she fell off at high speed and hit her head really hard. Poor thing got back on after the tears and all was well. Everything that's up coming is now cancelled can't risk it, my daughter has said she doesn't want to ride her (I don't blame her). It's such a shame that such a sweet pony has changed so much and is making my once very confident daughter lose it! I'm getting the vet out to check incase there's a problem with her. Do I find her another pony? ( easier said than done ). I don't give up easy but my daughters safety is my priority!
 
What turnout and feed is she getting? I'd look to reducing any hard feed (even speedibeet can affect mine) and feed plenty of fibre with oil if necessary instead of anything that could be heating.

Then I'd increase turnout if possible along with an increase in workload, either by lungeing before riding, getting another rider, or putting on working livery at a riding school. Saddle fit might be worth checking in case the pony's shape has changed.
 
Hi don't think she's in season but that's something I hadn't thought of at the mo! She's out all day, just has a token feed of nuts but plenty of hay and she has plenty of grass too. Won't be putting anyone on her until I have the vet out! Will just lunge so she stays in some kind of work!
 
I have two daughters and had a variety of ponies when they were younger, most we kept. I would forget riding the pony over the winter for what ever reason there is a problem, it may due to too much food and too little work or not. Its a devil trying to get children to be happy riding when the weather is rubbish, and if she is only riding for short periods or only in the school ponies soon get nappy and naughty. If you give your daughter a break with no pressure she will feel less apprehensive and in the break you set up an action plan for when the weather gets better and there is more time to ride.
The mare may be coming into season, we have had a very mild winter and the days are lengthening so if she's in season that can cause loin discomfort, sometimes this only lasts for the first season but its something to consider.
When she comes in work do not be tempted to increase her feed and get someone to work her either hacking or in the school at least three days in a row, not much lunging or fast work or you will get the pony fit which is the last thing you want. The main thing is consistency and obedience so when your daughter gets on her how ever little she does your daughter succeeds in controlling her. Keep everything slow and controlled.
A lot of success with ponies and children is making it so the pony has little choice, ponies have very quick brains and given an opportunity to get out of anything they will and if they are bored they soon work out that the child has slower responses than them.
Most of us that have had children and ponies have been in your situation, go to most PC rallies in spring and there will be always one in the ride that has spring fever. As long as you can break the cycle of the pony too fresh and the pony is not too fit the child usually learns to master the pony but sometimes the child is just over whelmed and once they lose heart its very hard for them to get their confidence back. I have seen some children struggle on with ponies that has no intention of cooperating with them and I think if the mare doesn't improve sometimes its better for both parties to start a fresh but with a bit of luck the behaviour is just a blip.
 
The first thing imo is to stop the pony nuts, the pony obviously doesn't need any extra energy!
Then I would have back/tack and teeth checked, in case the pony has changed shape with a lack of work over the winter. I would also check whether the pony is in season, it wouldn't be so unusual, if she were.
When all is checked and sorted, could you find an older/bigger child to ride the pony a few times, to put her back in her place/make sure that she is back to normal before your daughter rides her again? And possibly find a confidence giving pony for your daughter to ride a few times before getting back on your 'back to normal' pony?
 
Hi thanks everyone, it's all good advice! I'm sitting in A and E at the mo with my daughter as her head still hurts thinking why do we bother? Yes the hat will be replaced if she'll ride again that is! I have a bigger rider- her auntie so when her backs looked at she will get back on her, she does anyway and keeps her ticking over during the week while my daughter is at school! Her riding is very varied so she shouldn't get bored she does some schooling and long hacking, she's been great while it was summer at pc camp, rallies etc. we've carried on with pony club through the winter but she's been so awful at rallies. She is a bit copd so maybe it's something to do with that? I'm a worrier as I was put in hospital the last time I rode with a broken pelvis, why do I let my daughter ride? Because it gave me the best childhood ever, and up to now her too!
 
Definitely stop the feed.

I would think a lot of it is time of year. My two are both on their toes at the moment too.

Can you change the things that she is doing to avoid problems while she is getting her confidence back? Go out for hacks (walk/ride with her), put up things like stepping stones and other gymkhana stuff in the school, but only do it slowly and steadily in trot (no race speeds). Let them concentrate on other things.. Take things back a few steps.. Perhaps have some individual lessons for her over the winter and avoid the rallies until summer?

The best thing you can do is find a small adult/teen that can ride the horse. It 100% stopped any issues we had with our ponies when stepson was diddy. We did have one pony that scared him, and he fell off onto his head (ended up in hospital overnight). He was getting less and less confident each time he rode. In the end the pony went back and we bought a more placid pony that he went on to do great things with because he felt safe. I felt at the time that if we had continued with the pony he would have given up riding sooner or later.

Edited to add, hope she is ok and hugs to you.x
 
Hi thanks, she's out of hospital now, resting but fine! She won't be doing any pony club or anything like that for a while anyway until we get this sorted. When she does ride again it will just be walks out. I do think there is so much pressure when they are in groups like pony club that the fun goes esp at her age. I do regret sending her old loan back, and buying as I'm kind of stuck really, I can't just send her back, although my daughter is upset with what's happened she loves that pony.
 
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