Will she make a kids’ pony or better just to keep as a companion?

[maya2008]

Our feral companion is now slightly less feral but still not very trusting. Her filly foal is sweet and lovely, adores people and will make a fantastic kid’s pony one day. Mum though still does everything with her ears back and a grumpy look on her face. It will be weaning time in a month - I only have space for one ‘companion’ and it would make sense to keep the foal as she has bonded strongly with my other ponies (mum hasn’t). Would you put the time and effort in to back mum and see if she will make a riding pony or sell her on as a companion? We do need a 12hh pony for my son at some point, but I am not sure I would choose a grumpy one that wasn’t keen on humans. Do you think her attitude will change eventually?

 

[meleeka]

It depends on how much experience she’s already had and how old she is. If she’s been handled daily for a year and still no better I’d say no, but if she’s young and curious, if a bit scared. I think it can be overcome.

 

[maya2008]

It depends on how much experience she’s already had and how old she is. If she’s been handled daily for a year and still no better I’d say no, but if she’s young and curious, if a bit scared. I think it can be overcome.

Handled daily for about 6 months now - with a lot of effort put in over the summer. She will come up to you for a scratch and a polo now, will tolerate having her hooves picked up etc but is still very panicky in enclosed spaces and will kick/bite if pushed. She tolerates my younger child as she and the foal are pally - but will put ears back and kick out at the older one if he is too close. She is 3. Has a very friendly, kind pony in with her who has basically brought up the foal so far.

 

[twiggy2]

Seriously, you are considering using a pony that bites and kicks, doesn't like people and is threatening as a lead rein pony for your kids?

 

[Gloi]

If she's only 3 there's still time for her to come tame.

 

[maya2008]

Seriously, you are considering using a pony that bites and kicks, doesn't like people and is threatening as a lead rein pony for your kids?

Considering seeing if she can behave with more time and effort - prior to taking her near a child. She does not kick out at me, nor does she try to bite any more, so she can learn (still has a go at my husband though…). Just not sure if I would be wasting my time.

I guess I am not so quick to write her off, because my son’s old dearly departed first ridden was a vicious little 4yo who liked to bite and kick every human within reach, for at least a year after backing. She also thought bucking people off was fun (how many can you sit…). She came good, and then amazing - taught lots of children to ride and could be trusted (at 13.2hh) with a 5 year old child out hacking off the lead.

Question is, was our dearly departed and much loved pony a one off, or might this one come good too?

 

[twiggy2]

What if whilst she is coming right she manages to kick your eldest son and really hurt him?
I agree many ponies improve as they mature but until then they can't be kids lead rein ponies safely and need consistent handling without the risk of little ones about

 

[splashgirl45]

sounds like the mare would be difficult to sell as a potential childs pony or for your child to ride her so i would sell her as a companion/project and keep the filly who sounds like she will be a suitable childs pony eventually.. or would it be worth trying a horse whisperer type person to assess her and give you an idea of other things to try to get her more pleasant..

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

You have a 3yo filly with a foal at foot who is aggressive towards humans?

Jeez! Her hormones will be everywhere! She is far too young to be having foals so no bloomin wonder she doesn't like you lot! If you don't have the time or space sell her as a companion to someone who will chuck her in a field to be a pony for the winter and let her grow up!

 

[Ali27]

I got a little 13hh pony as a companion a few years ago! She was 8 at the time and apparently cold backed and they couldn’t catch her. She is the sweetest pony out and I can catch her easily! I had my physio look at her and she is clearly sore! Now a happy field ornament and companion and with us forever! I would loan her out rather than sell and get some physical checks done first!

 

[snowangel5]

You have a 3yo filly with a foal at foot who is aggressive towards humans?

Jeez! Her hormones will be everywhere! She is far too young to be having foals so no bloomin wonder she doesn't like you lot! If you don't have the time or space sell her as a companion to someone who will chuck her in a field to be a pony for the winter and let her grow up!

Well said ??

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

I think it's much easier to "make" the kids pony before you have the kids. You'd need a lot of time on your own with the pony without the kids around for a start, and probably you would never quite trust her with them.

I personally wouldn't even keep the foal in the hope that in 4 years or so it might have grown to the right height and have the right temperament to be the pony my kids needed at that moment. But then again, I'm a total worrier!

 

[maya2008]

You have a 3yo filly with a foal at foot who is aggressive towards humans?

Jeez! Her hormones will be everywhere! She is far too young to be having foals so no bloomin wonder she doesn't like you lot! If you don't have the time or space sell her as a companion to someone who will chuck her in a field to be a pony for the winter and let her grow up!

We had nothing to do with the pregnancy - I bought a companion and got two for the price of one! Mum is not at all foal proud and never has been. The foal has spent 90% of her time attached like glue to my NF mare since she was a few weeks old as her mum is too young to really know how to nurture a foal. Mum feeds her, that’s all. Aunty NF mare does all the looking after.

You assumed a lot in your answer. She has indeed been through a lot, but we have been nothing but as kind as we can be. I cannot change the fact that I now have one more pony than I have room for. Your vote is sell as companion I take it. Any ideas on how to pick a person who won’t turn round and immediately sell her on for a profit? She is young, backing age, exactly what people would take on for a project.

 

[maya2008]

I think it's much easier to "make" the kids pony before you have the kids. You'd need a lot of time on your own with the pony without the kids around for a start, and probably you would never quite trust her with them.

I personally wouldn't even keep the foal in the hope that in 4 years or so it might have grown to the right height and have the right temperament to be the pony my kids needed at that moment. But then again, I'm a total worrier!

Foal is good for now - I need one companion (for when we take the ridden ones out and my old retired mare is left on her own) and the foal will do the job nicely. When she turns 3/4 I can reassess - I may by that point have two retirees who can keep each other company and she can then either be for one of my children or find a new home. I have no worries that she won’t have a long life of being loved by child after child though - she is the sweetest natured little thing you could ever imagine.

 

[maya2008]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone - especially the nice logical polite answers! I think we have found a middle of the road solution - a friend has space to take her for weaning and the facilities to do more work with her. Either she will take to the increased handling and thrive, or she won’t (in which case I will advertise her as companion only and just hope she finds a home she can stay in long term as a useful field ornament!).

 

[splashgirl45]

that sounds like a good solution, given a bit more time she may improve