What to do with my little pony? Advice, suggestions please!

[poops]

A couple of years ago I needed a companion for my ageing mare. I was only really looking for a non ridden companion but found it hard to find one.

Anyway a nearby rescue centre had a little mare available aged 5 years & 11 hands. She was very wary of people, her nervousness resulted in aggressive behaviour, kicking, rearing & biting. She had been re-homed but was sent back to the rescue centre before we took her.

She also had bad sweet itch. I took the little pony & she & my old mare have bonded very well. I have definitely needed all my patience dealing with the little pony, she would not have been suitable for children then but she is now a sweet little character & all the aggression has gone.

We have also managed the sweet itch with a boett blanket.

I am now worried that now the pony has chilled out, she will now get bored. My other mare is happy in the field with light hacking but is that fair on the pony?

She is too small for us to ride, we do take her for walks but is that enough? I originally thought I had done the right thing giving her a quiet relaxed home but now I'm not sure if it is enough.

She has come on so well & on one hand & has become part of the family. On the other hand, have I sentenced her to a long, boring life?

Any advice?

 

[Fallenrose]

She wont be bored - she has an amazing life with you! Horses don't have ambition to be ridden. She sounds secure and comfortable. If she is nervy, then the backing process now could possibly unsettle her again.

 

[dianchi]

If she doesn't know any different how can she be bored? Sounds like a lovely contented little life she has landed into!

 

[Spiritedly]

Will she lead from your other horse? If she will will maybe she can accompany you on your hacks? Or you could try some horse agility with her.

 

[3OldPonies]

Would she be quiet enough to be broken for driving?

I quite agree that she will be quite happy doing nothing and relaxing with your other pony, but you do have to think of her future and if she could have a 'career' then should you have to re-home her at any time in the future it will be much easier if there is something that she could do. But of course any training would have to be done very carefully and calmly so as not to upset her again - no attempting any quick fixes!

 

[WelshRuby]

If she was broken to ride and/or drive and you decided to move her on it sounds as though she could become upset again. She's obviously put her trust in you. Just my opinion as I don't know her.
Bless you for helping her in the first place!

 

[hnmisty]

If she's never been ridden then she's probably loving life as it is! I saw the look on my pony's face when, at 32, we went out for our first hack in about 5 years- she loved it, and loved coming back into "work". However, they're all different, but it doesn't sound like your little pony is unhappy- quite the opposite! It would be a shame to undo all your hard in getting her to chill by thinking she's bored and putting her out of her comfort zone.

I think the fact that she has no chilled is an excellent sign that she's very happy with how her life is now!