Worst project ever!

[pistolpete]

Would anyone be crazy enough to take an older unhandled Welsh pony 12 hands. Would only ever be a companion. Currently is stabled so could be herded onto a trailer. Can’t be haltered around the moment. She’s actually got the potential to be sweet and ok to handle I’m sure just not being prioritised. She was rescued by current owner. Saved from an uncertain future but needs more one to one now. Feet are long. Tail dragging on floor. She’ll take treats from your hand. Bless her. She has a home with the current owner I just think a better one could be out there. Current owner would consider options I think.

 

[duncollector]

Is this the one with the lice @pistolpete?

 

[pistolpete]

Is this the one with the lice @pistolpete?

Well yes if she has them! No one’s been near so ouch for a positive diagnosis! She’s not itchy. It’s an interesting situation.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

We have a wee mare who arrived with us like that. It took a few years, but she's actually very sweet to be around now.

 

[Polos Mum]

I don't mean to be harsh but has the mare really been saved from an uncertain future? Where she is doesn't sound ideal if the current owner doesn't have the time to handle her enough to get her feet done and check for lice and is looking to pass her on to strangers on the internet.

In the current climate I would be really tempted to PTS rather than pass around something that only a small number of people could sensibly take on and make work.

For an older small pony PTS really is saving them from an uncertain future - where as gifting them to strangers is not.

I hope you don't take this too badly - but it's my opinion. I find the culture of "saving" but not taking full responsibility pretty poor (not just your friend OP, lots of this going on).

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Agree with you here "Polos Mum".

There was a VERY sad one on a FB group I'm on recently; horse was a 2yo Welsh cob who was basically FERAL. You had everyone giving these wonderful good suggestions like feeding it calming cooking etc., but the owner had pointed out clearly that she couldn't get anywhere near it! It had got worse since the owner had taken on and there was a suspicion it had been abused before she'd had it, and it was basically just feral, and not improving. If it had needed veterinary treatment this would have been impossible, it would have had to be basically darted in order to catch it. Owner was tentatively asking whether it would be acceptable to PTS in these circumstances rather than pass the problem on. It couldn't be taken anywhere as had to be herded into the wagon.

I and a few others said yep we would PTS; others were like well you could do this and do that, send it away to this expert and that (HOW FFS??) - and it would cost the poor owner a blimmin fortune, you're talking about £££thousands at the end of the day.........

Sadly in this scenario the actual "how do we do it" options of PTS would have posed a significant challenge as no-one would have been able to get near to it. Sedation a no-no as obviously it would've fought it - even presuming any vet could get near it in the first place (unlikely) and so it probably would've had to be a marksman job from a distance ......... awful for everyone but probably the only way at the end of the day. There is only one person in the whole of the UK who I'd have trusted to do this and that person is in my home-County (Devon).

Sorry, I digress........ but sadly I know what my decision would be with this poor little mare. There are a lot LOT worse things that can happen to "companion ponies" than being PTS in as humane way as is possible rather than them being passed along the line coz no-one knows what to do with them and no-one wants to make "the decision".

 

[pistolpete]

I don't mean to be harsh but has the mare really been saved from an uncertain future? Where she is doesn't sound ideal if the current owner doesn't have the time to handle her enough to get her feet done and check for lice and is looking to pass her on to strangers on the internet.
I hear you! I really despair for the little soul. She is fed and clean and no one is harsh but it’s not enough. She’s being neglected in a benign way! It’s very odd. Hopefully something will change soon. I’ll keep you posted!
In the current climate I would be really tempted to PTS rather than pass around something that only a small number of people could sensibly take on and make work.

For an older small pony PTS really is saving them from an uncertain future - where as gifting them to strangers is not.

I hope you don't take this too badly - but it's my opinion. I find the culture of "saving" but not taking full responsibility pretty poor (not just your friend OP, lots of this going on).

 

[Polos Mum]

I appreciate it's really tough but maybe encourage your friend to see that not being able to be given a medical once over and not having her feet done (presumably wormed in feed??) not having teeth done - those things are real neglect - not benign.

Just because you don't hit them (be harsh) doesn't mean it's a safe home.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Two little welsh ponies were picked up and rescued from wales and were at the yard I was at! It literally took a matter of weeks for them to start coming round! Friend worked with them daily and both are being ridden now. This was a few weeks after they arrived

 

[TPO]

IM(limited)E genuinely feral horses are much easier to work with and "gentle" than horses that have been half started and/or badly handled/trained.

There have been plenty of threads on here over the years from people who have "saved" horses and then don't have a flipping clue what to do with them, don't have a suitable set up and don't know the basics of training a "normal" horse never mind a "saved" ? one.

What does the owner of this one actually want to happen? Someone just to come and magic the horse away alleviating them of all responsibilities? A "how to" guide to get near the horse? Advice in how to fix the situation?

If they want to help the horse properly they need to involve a professional, probably someone under the "natural horsemanship" banner, to get the horse catchable and able to be handled. Then vet/farrier/dentist along with vaccinations and worm count/worming.

If they just want rid them they need to step up and take responsibility to get the poor mite pts.

Ugg, people ???

 

[maya2008]

Not many people would want to take on and tame a feral pony who would only ever be a companion. Plenty of people have the skills to tame feral ponies, but those who do, usually have those skills because they do so as a business and sell on as useful riding ponies afterwards. It might be worth contacting someone who does this, and asking how much it would cost for them to handle this pony (at their yard, where there would be appropriate facilities) for the current owner. Once handled, a companion home would be much easier to find.

I sent away our feral pony when her foal was weaned (due to lack of facilities - we have no permanent fencing or sturdy stables). Within weeks our whole family could easily catch her in the field, pick up her feet, brush, put rugs on and off etc. She no longer bit or kicked and was quite comfortable around humans she knew. Cost me several hundred pounds but was well worth it!

 

[pistolpete]

Totally agree with all comments. It’s not a friends pony. I don’t want to name and shame but it’s come to my knowledge through a friend. I have met the pony. It’s just such a waste of a little life. Apparently she’s let out onto the yard every day now and occasionally gets a pick at some grass. I just wish they’d step up and work with her. There’s talk of darting for a vet check and feet. That will just make her more anti unless works is put into her.

 

[Birker2020]

Would anyone be crazy enough to take an older unhandled Welsh pony 12 hands. Would only ever be a companion. Currently is stabled so could be herded onto a trailer. Can’t be haltered around the moment. She’s actually got the potential to be sweet and ok to handle I’m sure just not being prioritised. She was rescued by current owner. Saved from an uncertain future but needs more one to one now. Feet are long. Tail dragging on floor. She’ll take treats from your hand. Bless her. She has a home with the current owner I just think a better one could be out there. Current owner would consider options I think.

We have one at our yard that was the same, the YO saw an advert for her and it was an old man who was selling her for next to nothing as an unhandled 1 year old filly in Wales funnily enough.

We had to all hold up rugs and sheets of ply to use as a chute to coral her into the stable off the trailer ramp when she first came to our yard. Fast forward a few years and she's grown into a gorgeous mare who is now handled like a normal horse and its due to be backed any day now.

I can only speak from the experience with 'E' but she is lovely and I'm sure her owner would agree she was well worth the investment in time and effort.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Totally agree with all comments. It’s not a friends pony. I don’t want to name and shame but it’s come to my knowledge through a friend. I have met the pony. It’s just such a waste of a little life. Apparently she’s let out onto the yard every day now and occasionally gets a pick at some grass. I just wish they’d step up and work with her. There’s talk of darting for a vet check and feet. That will just make her more anti unless works is put into her.

^^^^ Darting will not be cheap; the reason being that there will need to be TWO if not more highly-skilled operatives doing the job - one if not more will need to be there ready with the antidote as if the person doing the shooting gets accidentally pricked by the needle on the capsule with it in then they have about 30 seconds for their "mate" to get the antidote into them apparently........... and that's all. I happen to know this from talking with a Licensed (and very experienced) Knackerman who deals with not only "normal" fallen stock but also does Zoo work. And frankly, IF it is necessary to Dart the pony, then I know what actions I would also be taking once it is "down"............. put simply it wouldn't be getting up again. And I'll accept that there would be those that would criticise that, but this is what I'd do.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

If she's stabled and will take treats from the hand, then she can be treated for lice with a dab on treatment and wormed by putting it in her feed. Also, at that size, I would expect that a few sturdy adults should be able to wrestle a headcollar on and pin her against a wall long enough for a farrier to tidy up her feet, and a vet to sort out microchipping and basic jabs for tetanus, etc. Not nice, but needed, and she'd get over it.

 

[Birker2020]

Would anyone be crazy enough to take an older unhandled Welsh pony 12 hands. Would only ever be a companion. Currently is stabled so could be herded onto a trailer. Can’t be haltered around the moment. She’s actually got the potential to be sweet and ok to handle I’m sure just not being prioritised. She was rescued by current owner. Saved from an uncertain future but needs more one to one now. Feet are long. Tail dragging on floor. She’ll take treats from your hand. Bless her. She has a home with the current owner I just think a better one could be out there. Current owner would consider options I think.

I'd say it was just a matter of gaining her trust. If she takes treats from your hand you are not that far away from getting her nose into a headcollar and not that far from moving on from that and attaching a lead rope. Its patience and repetition and unrushed time that she needs to gain your trust.

You don't say how old she is but if she's otherwise fit and well apart from long feet then I don't understand why anyone would consider pts.

 

[smolmaus]

If she's stabled and will take treats from the hand, then she can be treated for lice with a dab on treatment and wormed by putting it in her feed. Also, at that size, I would expect that a few sturdy adults should be able to wrestle a headcollar on and pin her against a wall long enough for a farrier to tidy up her feet, and a vet to sort out microchipping and basic jabs for tetanus, etc. Not nice, but needed, and she'd get over it.

She could get over it, or she could learn to fight harder the next time and you've added another 6 months to the overall process of getting her used to being handled properly. And you might have to find another farrier.

A pony like this needs someone to fall head over heels for them, I think. It's so much work and so easy to just let the time stretch on when you do care for them but they're not your number 1 priority. Sorry I can't be any real help pistolpete but I do know how hard this is to see and not be able to do much.

 

[Polos Mum]

If she's stabled and will take treats from the hand, then she can be treated for lice with a dab on treatment and wormed by putting it in her feed. Also, at that size, I would expect that a few sturdy adults should be able to wrestle a headcollar on and pin her against a wall long enough for a farrier to tidy up her feet, and a vet to sort out microchipping and basic jabs for tetanus, etc. Not nice, but needed, and she'd get over it.

Not really quality of life though is it - being stabled 24 / 7 so you can't get away from people your fear (even if those ones in particular haven't given you any reason to fear them) and then being pinned to the wall by a gang of them every 2 months to have your feet done.

What is the point?

 

[pistolpete]

Not really quality of life though is it - being stabled 24 / 7 so you can't get away from people your fear (even if those ones in particular haven't given you any reason to fear them) and then being pinned to the wall by a gang of them every 2 months to have your feet done.
She hasn’t been pinned to the wall. No one is unkind to her. She really does need a chance and I’m just exploring all options including asking on here where there is plenty of experience of turning difficult ponies around. I actually do think she has a future but not quite there yet. Something will come up. If I ever win on my premium bonds I’ll have her cos my first purchase would be a hind with land.

What is the point?

 

[Polos Mum]

Sorry OP I was replying to the suggestion that you could get her feet done if you pinned her against the wall. I am sure with lots of time and dedication she would be lovely. Just observing that at the moment she's not getting what she needs and the short cuts aren't ideal in the long term.

If you can find a home where a new owner have all the time and resources to dedicate to an older small companion (which they can't find ready made) - well done you. In my experience those homes are few and far between

 

[KittenInTheTree]

Not really quality of life though is it - being stabled 24 / 7 so you can't get away from people your fear (even if those ones in particular haven't given you any reason to fear them) and then being pinned to the wall by a gang of them every 2 months to have your feet done.

What is the point?

Don't be stupid. The mare is CURRENTLY stabled. I suggested making use of this fact to get the essential initial care done. She could then be turned out in company 24/7 and all the time in the world spent on taming her slowly. And yes, if it came to it, wrestling her into submission as and when needed to keep her feet in good order.

 

[planete]

Unhandled New Forest ponies are regularly broken and turned into useful riding ponies. It just takes a bit of time and lateral thinking. Sarah Weston used to do it all the time and take them on for other people. She has written a very practical book on how to go about it: 'No fear, no force'. It is a fairly normal occurence around here and nobody would dream or darting or putting down an animal because it needs gentling.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

She could get over it, or she could learn to fight harder the next time and you've added another 6 months to the overall process of getting her used to being handled properly. And you might have to find another farrier.

A pony like this needs someone to fall head over heels for them, I think. It's so much work and so easy to just let the time stretch on when you do care for them but they're not your number 1 priority. Sorry I can't be any real help pistolpete but I do know how hard this is to see and not be able to do much.

Having spent several years fixing our mare, I feel that an initial extra six months at the start is a small price to pay for protecting the animal from tetanus and otherwise readying it to be turned out to grass. And yes, the first few times we had to catch her in for feet were hard. Our farrier understood and was supportive. Things gradually improved. She now stands perfectly calmly for the farrier. In fact, she quite likes him.

 

[Xmasha]

i couldnt think of anything worse than attempting to pin down a feral mature pony. That sounds like a recipe for disaster and untold injury for all concerned.
The fact that she has got to 12 without having her feet done, to me says you have some time to work on her, perhaps allow turnout on a concrete yard to wear them down until she is handled
I would personally take as long as it needs to work with her and gain her trust.

disclaimer .. i have no experience with feral mature ponies, only unhandled yearlings.

Back to the original question.. im sure someone would want her if she was free, but unless you knew them personally i wouldnt risk it. Far better to PTS than traumatise her with the wrong kind of handling.

'Pinning down' should be reserved for the wrestling community !

 

[KittenInTheTree]

i couldnt think of anything worse than attempting to pin down a feral mature pony. That sounds like a recipe for disaster and untold injury for all concerned.
The fact that she has got to 12 without having her feet done, to me says you have some time to work on her, perhaps allow turnout on a concrete yard to wear them down until she is handled
I would personally take as long as it needs to work with her and gain her trust.

disclaimer .. i have no experience with feral mature ponies, only unhandled yearlings.

Back to the original question.. im sure someone would want her if she was free, but unless you knew them personally i wouldnt risk it. Far better to PTS than traumatise her with the wrong kind of handling.

'Pinning down' should be reserved for the wrestling community !

Have you experience with reading? Because I said pin against a wall, not pin down. The animal then has something to lean against whilst one or other of the opposing legs are being lifted. It works. I know this, because unlike you, I have actually taken on and tamed a feral adult pony.

Yes, it is horrid to do. None of us enjoyed it. Unfortunately, the law demands that ponies are microchipped, tetanus exists, and her feet really were awfullly overgrown. So we hardened our hearts, hung on for grim death, and spoke kindly to her throughout, including when she bit and stepped on us. And then, with the essentials done, we turned her out in company, and let her be, and took our time persuading her that humans are okay. It was a slow process. There were many steps backwards. It was completely worth it.

 

[TPO]

...so instead of training/taming the horses we'll use brute force. Awful and wrong "advice". I hope no one reading this thread now or in the future ever thinks that this is an acceptable way to handle horses (any animal), even if they do speak kindly ?

From someone who does have actual experience of full grown feral and semi feral horses.

Jeez, there is SO MUCH information out there on how to handle feral/semi feral horses and low stress stock handling. There are none so blind...

 

[Gloi]

I used to buy unhandled 2-4 year olds regularly in my younger days and they all came round pretty quickly. No need to shoot a 2yo Welsh cob someone could soon get it sorted.
The older pony won't come totally tame so quickly but if will take food and is in a stable you are half way there it just needs somebody who knows what they are doing.

This book is worth reading

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ss...oid-tcl-rvo2b&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

 

[Horseysheepy]

I've had a wild two year old. It was field kept and I hadn't a stable to tame it in.
It took me weeks of patient persistence to get it handleable.
I love a challenge, it wasn't easy, but if you really want to do it!
They progress pretty quickly once you get them on side!

 

[dorsetladette]

Unhandled New Forest ponies are regularly broken and turned into useful riding ponies. It just takes a bit of time and lateral thinking. Sarah Weston used to do it all the time and take them on for other people. She has written a very practical book on how to go about it: 'No fear, no force'. It is a fairly normal occurence around here and nobody would dream or darting or putting down an animal because it needs gentling.

difference being that free roaming ponies in the new forest tend to do a nice job of self trimming. A pony stabled 24/7 isn't going to do that.

Sarah Weston is fab - she came to out to my non loading cob. He became sort of loadable. A little inconsistent but so much better than previous to her visit and she gave us some really good strategies for when the sticky times happened away from home.

 

[SantaVera]

have pm'd you pp re the pony.