what to do with old rescue pony, tack suggestions?

[paddi22]

Sorry for the epic story, but any advice appreciated. I got in a old rescue pony (26ish) a few months ago who had been starved for years and had very bad dental problem that meant it hadn't been able to eat properly for a decade probably, and had survived by sucking in food when it could as it was unable to chew or move its jaw correctly. The lady who found it originally, paid for me to mind it and to get the treatment needed, so vet and dentist got its jaw moving properly again and now it can eat normally. Vet said it would have been in serious pain for years with the way its teeth were. Lady who rescued it is unable to keep it, and the original idea was she just wanted it to be pts with dignity after having a few good months of care, as it literally looked like it wouldn't have long (was unable to get up unaided at start etc).

Pony is amazingly resiliant though and gradually put on weight and is now a pretty little thing in super condition, doesn't look old at all. It had a few months on grass and became boss of field, gallops round, jumps ditches in field and rolls and stands with no issues now. Pony has obviously been badly treated for years, and is amazingly wary and stressed with people - originally i thought pts was fairest idea as there was absolutely no joy in its life around people at all. I have a full house at the moment, so can't justify keeping and feeding another mouth, especially over winter months.

Took pony up to my stables and paddock at house as a companion for another temporarily, and while it was there my neighbours kids started petting her and the pony became quite attached to them. It obviously had kids own it at some stage, and it doesn't have the bad associations it has with adults. They can catch and groom her, and lead her round an absolutely adore her. I mentioned to the mother that it would be pts before winter and she said she'd take her to live with them.

Put a saddle on her and she didn't bat an eye, but she found bridling extremely stressful. I've had a few rescues in who had mouth issues and were head-shy, and all came right with patience, but with this one i really think its unfair to put a bit in, and there's no way a kid could get a bit in to it.

So my question is eventually (!) what kind of bitless bridle would anyone recommend for a pony? Kids are very novice and can ride and have about 2 years of lesson, but would just potter round as they are very nervous. Most they would ever do is want to jump a starter stakes course. The only bitless i've used is a dr cook, but have no experience of how that would work with kiddie novices on. A hackamore would be too harsh in kids hands.

Pony would be a super companion but i don't want to pass it on unless it was someone i knew and could check regularly. I really dont want the pony to be pts, and if there's any chance of getting kids pottering round on it i'd be happy to try it. Would anyone have any idea of a bridle that might suit? Any help appreciated!

 

[goldenchestnut]

Leave the poor animal alone, Let it be a companion or just be groomed and loved.

 

[paddi22]

I can't keep it as a companion, i don't know anyone i trust who needs it as a companion. I don't want to pass it on to an unknown future. I can't afford to keep it myself as a companion and feed it over winter, so all the companion options are out at the moment.

Pony has no issue with saddle, and had a breaking doll thing on it and didn't bat an eyelid so has probably been ridden by kids for years. Sat a kid on it while holding her and pony had no issue. So only issue it has it with its mouth and a bit.

Mother is happy to take it but wants something her kids can do lead rein on, which pony is completely capable off. It loves the kids and this is its best chance of a good life where it is petted and loved. I'm just hoping to get people experice of bitless bridle.

 

[Makemineacob]

I probably would also want to leave the pony unridden and just leave her as being a pet to be pampered and loved.

 

[Sandstone1]

Wouldn't have thought it's very fair to bring it in to work at this stage. If it's just for a tiny tot to have a sit on maybe but any more doesn't seem right. If you must maybe a dually headcollar would be better than a bridle.

 

[Makemineacob]

If you decide ridden is the best future for her then I would have a look at sidepull bridles, not sure if they go down to pony size but they are lightweight for a small head and not difficult to use. Few examples on the site below and some funky colours for kids!

http://www.bitlessandbarefoot.com/bin-the-bit.php

 

[paddi22]

They are tiny tots, no weight at all. Most they would do is lead rein trot over poles. They spent all day in grooming and doing her hair mainly! I just think it would be a crying shame to have her pts in september and this is the closest thing to an ideal home i can think of, plus its next door so I could check her daily.

I had considered a dualy but was wondering would it be too strong in the wrong hands?

 

[Makemineacob]

Sorry better link below to more info and prices

http://www.bitlessandbarefoot.com/bitless-bridles.php

 

[paddi22]

If you decide ridden is the best future for her then I would have a look at sidepull bridles, not sure if they go down to pony size but they are lightweight for a small head and not difficult to use. Few examples on the site below and some funky colours for kids!

http://www.bitlessandbarefoot.com/bin-the-bit.php

thanks a mil, thats exactly the kind of thing i imagined.

 

[Makemineacob]

Wouldn't use a dually personally, I really dislike them and there are far better products out there to use.

 

[be positive]

It may give the pony a new lease of life to be doing a little steady exercise, without seeing it I wouldn't want to rule it out with the only other "safe" option being to pts, the kids probably wont want to do that much and as it seems happier with them than with adults I would give it a chance of a happy life making some kids equally happy. For now I would just pop them on a lead them with a headcollar, you should be able to judge whether it will be accepting on them riding just attach some reins to the side rings, then if it seems to be working out get a dually or you may even find it will accept a soft rubber bit once it gets back in the swing of things.

I have a pony here that came as a non ridden companion, we brought him back to light work and over the past year he has thrived and is now taking his novice new owner over tiny jumps and cantering, he started to look brighter as soon as he had the attention of his own child, he is more than happy to be doing something and will be getting out to a few shows this summer, they are only as old as they feel and often light exercise is beneficial to their overall health..

 

[Makemineacob]

Fabulous happy ending be positive.

 

[paddi22]

thats exactly it, bepositive! The pony had completely shut down and would do what you asked but had absolutely no joy in life at all, so I was comfortable with the decision to pts before winter. I've had in a load of rescues and work with them, and its lovely to see them come out of their shells and trust people, but this one i felt was too far gone and had too hard a life.

But it was amazing, and so lovely, to see it come alive once the kids started paying it attention. It just lights up around them, and genuinely enjoys their company. It feels like its happy to have a job again and is quite happy to have the kids lead it anywhere and fuss over it. It turned into a stunning little thing over the summer and has lovely conformation and paces, so i would assume at some stage it started out as a little show pony. Vet was amazed how it had survived so long and how it must be a tough little character.

If it was stiff, miserable or struggling to hold condition in any way then i'd have no problem putting to sleep, but it genuinely seems happy to be around the kids and do as they ask. I genuinely feel its an ideal home for it. They will keep it at home in an isolated area just pottering around fields and lanes, and doing lead rein at the odd local show. It won't be at a yard where it's getting pushed to do too much with gangs of kids, or having to deal with arena surfaces or tight bends etc.

I'l start off with a headcollar as you suggest and see how it goes! Its just suh a tough little character that i'd love it to get even a few years of being spoilt and adored.

 

[GirlFriday]

I've seen some of the less severe hackamore options used (well padded) in a RS apparent without issue... Also Dr Cooks with little kids under supervision. So, they could be options.

For lead rein a sidepull should be quite sufficient I'd guess though and shouldn't do any harm to start with.

 

[cobsandbassets]

Why would anyone want to bring the poor little pony back from the brink 'just for a few months' then have her pts? She's hardly going to cost the earth surely to keep and make what ever time she has left comfortable and safe under the care of someone who won't thrash her around?

 

[Tiddlypom]

I think you may be pushing your luck thinking that the pony may be ok for ridden work, especially after her dental problems. Maybe the family would be happy to have her as a non ridden cuddle monster? We had a nervous ex competition pony from a rescue, he'd have been 40+ years old in these photos. He loved children, but not adults, especially men. We were warned never to try him off the lead rein, as he had been razzled about on the competition circuit, and would rear. On the lead, he was safe as houses, but tbh he was mostly a cuddle monster and companion.

He was dentally challenged, too.

 

[paddi22]

Why would anyone want to bring the poor little pony back from the brink 'just for a few months' then have her pts? She's hardly going to cost the earth surely to keep and make what ever time she has left comfortable and safe under the care of someone who won't thrash her around?

The pony landed in unexpectedly with her and she doesn't have the facility or the money to keep her unfortunately. She knows i have rescues and have found good homes for them, so she called me.

Realistically, who will keep her and would want her? I am not a rescue facility, I just take projects on. It does cost money to keep them going - It's not a case of just leaving them in a field to enjoy life on the cheap, they still need worming, vaccinations, trimming, vets, rugs, rug repair, extra feed over winter etc. She passed her on to me as the pony's only chance at the time. I can see where she is coming from in a way. She just thought it was extremely undignified to see an old pony, who probably gave someone years of pleasure, to be starving and in pain just sent to be pts. She said she just wanted it to go with a bit of dignity, which in a way i understand.

The ponies condition was bad, but all its pain was teeth related, so she just wanted to see that fixed. Once the teeth were fixed, the pony put on condition, flies around the place, is boss of the field and has a lovely dappled shiny coat now. It's not a wreck at deaths door now, its an old but very hardy, healthy pony who isn't stiff or sore in any way.

The pony didn't bat an eyelid when the kid or saddle was on it, so it doesn't look like it has a mental or physical issue with a light kid pottering on it. It's just an issue with its mouth - its fine with headcollars and its head being handled, so i can't see an issue with it being ridden bitless. Honestly, if it even flinched at the thought of being ridden I wouldn't push it. I've a retired exracer with kissing spine who isn't ridden, so im well aware of the dangers of pushing a horse who is sore or in pain, i just wouldn't do it. I've an ex sulkie racer with me now who obviously got thrashed around when ridden and I spend months getting her comfortable being rebacked and went back steps if at any stage she looked uncomfortable. She is super now and has no ridden issues. So if I honestly thought the pony was even mildly uncomfortable with the concept of being ridden i wouldn't do it.

I'd only give it to them on condition it was lead rein pony, and if they wanted to step up to another ridden level that they get a different pony.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

If you decide ridden is the best future for her then I would have a look at sidepull bridles, not sure if they go down to pony size but they are lightweight for a small head and not difficult to use. Few examples on the site below and some funky colours for kids!

http://www.bitlessandbarefoot.com/bin-the-bit.php

Get a drop noseband and put reins onto the rings at the side, that's the simplest and cheapest way.

ETA: Or if it's putting the bridle on that's the problem get one of the endurance bridles that's basically a headcollar with a bit clipped onto it. It can be put on as a headcollar then the bit clipped to one side, the mouth opened, bit put in and clipped to the other side all with pony tied up. It's a lot less faffing than putting on a normal bridle, especially for novicey kids who might bang the teeth as they get the bridle on and off.

 

[cobsandbassets]

Fair enough Paddi22 appreciate what you do. Have had 2 ourselves with issues and still find it hard to believe what harm is done to them. Expect you know the folks involved and can keep in contact.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I have sidepull nose piece that just attaches to a normal bridle. The pony I got it for has gone back to his owner-if you'd like it I will pop it in the post for you. It was made to measure for him though and he had a tiny nose but I've no use for it any longer.

 

[DuckToller]

Well done for trying paddi22 - if the pony is having a new lease of life, then it has to be worth a go with this family, and perhaps the pony isn't as old as you originally thought anyway if it is moving well and running around.

I would suggest you loan the pony so you can step in if it doesn't work out, just in case they try to do too much, if you haven't thought of that already. A friend of mine uses a Dr Cook and the pony goes well in it.

 

[Clodagh]

We used to ride with a well fitting headcollar with a lead rope attached to each side, worked perfectly well. I would do that. I hope the pony has a great semi retirement.

 

[paddi22]

Yeah cobsandbassets its awful to with see some of them how their life just takes a bad turn. We live in the remote countryside and they are right beside us, so i'd see pony every day, I just couldn't give it to a stranger and not be 100% sure of how it was. It's just heartbreaking and the most depressing one I've ever gotten in. I get some from a charity here who work with the council and pick the healthiest ones from the pound for retraining. But the charity lady picks healthy, young horses who come right fairly easily and are easy to rehome. I normally wouldn't take on a lost cause case as I don;t have the money to run a sanctuary (i wish i had!). So this pony is a new situation for me!

 

[cobsandbassets]

Hats off to you. They are so vulnerable. Breaks my heart to think what happens when they outlive their usefulness. Mind you was mis sold a traddie cob mare who's been badly started and is she pleased to be in a nice home now? Not all the time lol she is a challenge! Good job we love the little b*****

 

[paddi22]

I have sidepull nose piece that just attaches to a normal bridle. The pony I got it for has gone back to his owner-if you'd like it I will pop it in the post for you. It was made to measure for him though and he had a tiny nose but I've no use for it any longer.

thats very kind of you! gonna try headcollar with reins and see how it goes. I'l post pics of ponys progress, I've everything crossed that it comes right and gets a nice few years of spoiling.

 

[Feival]

A head collar with reins attached and please stop calling her an 'it'

 

[paddi22]

A head collar with reins attached and please stop calling her an 'it'

cheers for the sarky comment, I was actually referring to the situation as 'it' and not the pony. I've pumped time, money and energy on vets bills, specialist food and supplements, worry and care on a pony who isn't mine and landed on my doorstep unexpectidly and I just want to do right by it, so i don't appreciate being pulled up and criticised by you taking offence at grammar for some reason.

or by dictionary definition

it
pl. they the animal or thing previously mentioned or under discussion:

it's obvious i am trying my best for 'it' so i don't think it cares what its called once its fed, watered and cared for!!

 

[OldNag]

OP how lovely. It sounds as if pony is enjoying this new lease of life.

I would try headcollar and reins as a stopgap.

Pics please!

 

[Merrymoles]

Love to see an old pony with a new lease of life - hope it all goes well! (And by, it, I mean the situation, not the pony...)

 

[paddi22]

Love to see an old pony with a new lease of life - hope it all goes well! (And by, it, I mean the situation, not the pony...)

Thanks for clarifying the grammar so no-one takes offence at it*

*Note: by 'it' I mean the grammar situation.