What would you do with this pony?

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dizzydog

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Hi, I purchased a pony a month ago as a first pony for my daughter. To cut a long story short she was sold to me as a 10 year old, perfect child's pony. Since owning her she has bolted, pulls the reins out of her riders hand (with such force that she unseated her rider), kicks people (adults and children), kicks other horses and has a history of laminitis. I have also discovered that she is 16 not 10. The kicking only occurs in the field and she is fine once tethered. My question is what should I do with her? Trading standards are dealing with the seller (please do not name if you remember from my previous post!). I can either offer her on loan, lwvtb or try to sell her as a second pony needing schooling. Trouble is, I doubt she's worth anything and I don't want her to end up on the meat ferry. A previous owner that I have been in touch with might have her back to retire her, which would be brilliant. However, if she can't take her what would you all recommend?
 
I remember reading your post before glad things are moving on. if the member on here is unable to take her back i wouldnt think sendong her on loan to a small child would be suitable, how big is she? Would an adult be interested in her for example my friend has a 13.2 because she is tiny and looks at home on one. Maybe reschooling would be the best option as if u cant use her for fr/lr u cant really sell her as that either :s im not totally sure what to suggest sorry for rambling fingers crossed the hho owner can take her
 
A pony with a history of ill health behaving badly when ridden may well be saying that working is just too much and I think retirement is probally the answer.
 
If I recall correctly there was a HHO poster who previously owned said pony and said they'd have her back?
 
The lady who owned her a couple of years ago who posted on my previous post was considering having her back, I'm just waiting to hear. I'm just looking at my options if she decides not to take her. Pony is only 12.1 so really only a child's pony, I would never sell her as a fr/lr, I was thinking 2nd or maybe 3rd pony. Retirement is prob the best solution though, god knows what's happened to her in the past couple of years :-(
 
I'm afraid you can't put her on loan - or sell her - without being honest as to the difficulties. You'd never forgive yourself if a child was hurt.

If she is reasonably sized you could try putting her on the project ponies website and see if someone will re-school her if they can. But if she is too little for a light / small adult your options are very limited.

You can deal with the rein snatching - a lot of smaller ponies do this as they figure out it is a way to stop working. But you can defeat that with a grass rein. Lots of ponies kick in the feild. You can't stop her kicking other horses - the other horses will do that for you. but take her back shoes off if she risks injuring something. Don't let the kids catch her and try to get her to come to you with treats or similar.

A month isn't that long and all new ponies go through the "new pony horrors" at the start. They're just like toddlers really and need to know what they can and can't get away with. You don't say how expereinced you are - would some professional help work to get pony back into work?

If not - and if the previous owner will not take her back - you may have to bite the bullett (no pun intended) and put her to sleep.
 
Oh my you really are in a sticky rut.
If the seller changed her age on the passport she can get fined.

I'd say she'd make a good summer project for a teenager. My first pony was absolutely pumped on calmers/sedation when we bought him, when they wore off he would rear when mounted, bite, kick if anyone went near his bum or touched his quarter. He wasn't a "First pony" at all. I was around 10 when I first bought him (and had been riding for 5 years) and I didn't want him to get sold as I was very young and though it would put my parents off buying another pony (non-horsey parents) I had to bite the bullet and put up with it. Over time me and him bonded and I worked on those problems with him and I made him into a BSJA Jumping pony and done occasional showing with him. Last year I taken the risk to loan him out to 2 very experienced sisters (8 & 12) and he was as good as gold :)

Although to get him like that it has taken me a lot of falls, knocked out teeth, broken bones, bruises and injuries.

Unfortunately this isn't the case with your pony, You could try advertising her as a project for a teenager looking for something to bring on. You'd be surprised how many experienced teens enjoy bringing on ponies. On my old yard I'd always see auction ponies being brought on, being schooled up then sold on.
That's the only solution I can think of.

Apart from that I'd say retire her. I'd say companion/pet but if she kicks in the field and is abusive with other horses it isn't the best idea.

If I'm honest there isn't really a market for problem ponies like this, you'd have a very hard time selling or even loaning her and you wouldn't want the risk of a small child getting injured?
I'm so sorry to hear about this and I hope it gets sorted for you soon.
 
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I'd get a full work up done to rule out pain, then if its all clear look for a permanent loan home. However, while I'm not bothered by much, if pony is a true bolter, rather than just tanking off, there is no way on this earth I would put my, or anybody else's child on it.
 
From a dealer in Peterborough. The dealer was selling for a client so I am now having to take the client to court as I have had no help from either dealer or client. I have hopefully found someone locally who is going to take the pony and retire her.
 
Have you had any legal advice? Only you can't take the client to court afaik. You're contract was with the dealer, not dealers client so it would be the dealer you pursue. Client is legally nothing to do with you.
 
That was what I originally thought. However, I have sought legal advise from a solicitor specialising in equine law and it is the client that I have to take to court. Makes it harder for me as the client seems to care even less than the dealer. If that's possible!
 
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