What would you do?

K

kal40

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We have had our 12.2hh, 15 year old mare for a few years, she has been outgrown and is now keeping my cob company.

We are having a bit of a dilema atm as I just don't know what to do with her.

She was always been very strong when ridden but never naughty (like bucking, rearing etc). She has done a bit of everything, hunting PC etc and has a good jump and can do a nice dressage test. The problem is that she is grumpy as hell, always pulling faces and baring teeth (although she has never bitten anyone). If she has her headcollar or bridle on then she is fine.

Problem is, I can't really keep her as a field ornament. They are on livery so costs are mounting and in reality, I don't need a companion as there are other horses there for company.

What do I do with her? My worry is that if I sell her as a riding pony (specifically mentioning her temprement) but then new owners find she is too strong or grumpy for a child and she just gets sold on and on. My other option is to find a home for her as a companion.

Apart from the face pulling she really is sweet and is very pretty. I just want a nice home for her and I don't know what to do for the best. She has been checked out by the vet with regards to back/teeth/hormones and general health. Everything is fine and in the time we have had her she has never needed the vet.

Friday afternoon cream cakes (any kind you like - take your pick) if you have managed to get this far and two if you can suggest anything!

Thanks
K
 
It sounds like a loan might be your best option. You could even do a part-loan/share, particularly since she's good at PC.
 
How about part or full loan her to a local child/family? You would get some of her costs covered and would be able to keep an eye on her behaviour and be around if she starts to get a handful to be able to guide the new child with how best to handle her?
 
Thanks for the replies.

I'd rather not put her out on loan. It sounds harsh but we don't want the possibility of having her back. Not because she is grumpy or anything but just that we want her to go on and have a good life. She really is a pretty little thing and would make an ideal second pony for a confident child.

I don't want rid of her just for the sake of it - I want a good home for her.

I wish you were closer Mosmum as she could definately be your ornament.
 
be very honest about her temperament and hope somebody is interested. as long as she behaves at pc then i think a child who can ride well could have fun with her. if she is still able to be ridden then im sure she would find this more enjoyable than just being a companion to something.
 
TBH she doesnt sound too bad at all.....
if you could find a light weight competent child (when i say child i mean around the 9/10 yo mark) i think they could have a lot of fun on her, she sounds a good alrounder.
If she doesnt do anything naughty i.e buck/rear/bolt etc....then the number of good bits on the market these days that dont saw the ponys mouth in half but just get a bit more respect from them could work wonders.
Also....tbh some competent kids dont worry too much about a pony being strong.

The face pulling etc i wouldnt loose sleep over either, if she doesnt bite etc then its just something that the new owners would get used to....we have a couple on the yard that are real face pullers....but dont bite...and it provides alot of entertainment!

Sell her honestly, its the best thing you can do. That way your pony stands the best chance of going to the right home.

I was sold my horse really dishonestly and it turned out he bucked, reared, leapt, plunged etc etc.....luckily im the sort of person who is too soft to let him go to the wrong home or a dealer etc. I was very fortunate that an old owner of his that was the only person that had got on with him and loved him to bits and had only sold him as she wanted to event and at 14.2 he was just too small to do the things she wanted. So i put him out on loan to her as she couldnt afford to buy him at the time, but with the view to buy as soon as she can. Im very lucky i had this option, but i did put an advert out for him advertising all of his faults, quirks, naughtyness and i did get enquiries.

Yours sounds like a lovely pony that could be fun for someone so dont write her off.

I would definately advertise her within the pony club and locally so that you could put her out on a trial and see if her and new owner were compatible.

TBH she sounds lovely! she sounds just like the sort of ponies that i used to ride as a kid and too good to be a field ornament.
 
I bought a 'grumpy' pony once - we nick named her the shark because of the teeth baring and faces she pulled when being tacked up - so long as they don't actually bite it's not a problem.
 
She doesn't sound too bad! My p/l mare is a grumpy so and so at times too and frequently lifts her back legs up at me - she never actually kicks me though, but will other horses.
Try advertising her I'm sure she'd make an ideal pony for someone who'd love to do PC and try their hand at other disciplines like dressage too :)
K x
 
TBH I am leaning towards selling her (and obviously being honest).

I was sold a dangerous horse twice Skychick too. I got hurt by both horses too so I know how important it is both to the new rider and also to pony. She looks like a 12.2 TB, very pretty and moves well - you are right folks - she would be wasted as a companion. She ticks all the boxes with regard to loading/clipping/farrier etc so maybe I am being a bit harsh on her. Problem is every horse you see for sale these days is fantastic according to the ads (HOYS Potential, stunning, nature to die for etc).

We are not in a major hurry to sell her so I will take my time and find the right home for her. She comes with jeffries tack and a full wardrobe of rugs so she will probably be a good buy for someone. I don't think we will be looking for much for her just a good home. Once she has a headcollar on she will stand all day to be groomed/plaited washed and cuddled.

Thanks for all your advice and hope you enjoyed the TWO totally delicious but calorie free cream cakes.
 
I agree with everyone else - I don't think you'll have any problems selling her.

I had a pony very similar to her when I was growing up - he was a grumpy old baggage, made the most awful faces, waved his legs about and ground his teeth! But, he was brilliant to ride and he did the rounds of the Pony Club homes - he was in his twenties by the time he got to me. He never had to be advertised because there was always someone else lining up for him once the current child had grown out of him!
 
Why not offer loan with a view to buy? Or trial for a week? Or better still, just be honest with your potential buyers (which I know you will do) and say you're quite happy for them to come and try her several times before they buy.
 
I think I would rather go with the 'come as many times as you like and try her' route Naturally then I could help/explain if she did anything they were worried about. Good idea thanks.
 
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