Would you complain to rescue?

[Melandmary]

Six weeks ago I got a companion for my mare from a small local rescue centre as I was moving my pony from livery to home. I asked if they had a suitable pony that would be happy on her own 2-3 times a week for a couple of hours whilst I went for a pootle and also had to be OK stabled as my horse comes in at night. They told me they did and that said pony was healthy and upto date with vaccines etc. I have found that this pony although calm in most situations has severe separation anxiety and tries to jump out of stable or field if she can't see my mare. I am working on this with a professional and having to ride only once a week when OH can walk the pony. She also hasn't had her vaccines since 2018, she has a mite infestation that 2 courses of dectomax injections hasn't cleared and terrible mudfever scabs all the way up her legs.. I don't want to treturn the pony but feel they should be made aware that they can't rehome ponies this way. Would you say something or just accept it. Since getting her I have heard that alot of their ponies are returned for one reason or another.

 

[SpotsandBays]

I would definitely have a talk with them!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

TBh I would return the pony, as she isn't what you need and it isn't your responsibility to train her out of her separation anxiety

 

[poiuytrewq]

TBh I would return the pony, as she isn't what you need and it isn't your responsibility to train her out of her separation anxiety

This. Sometimes you can never sort separation anxiety out. It’s such hard work and becomes stressful for you. I pretty much stopped riding when I had one and when I did ride I was constantly worried about and racing back to the one at home.

 

[Melandmary]

The hassle of the anxiety is not what I wanted to be dealing with but it isn't the pony's fault and also my ridden mare has settled really well here, it took almost 6 months for her to settle at the livery where I moved her from a d this is in part because she likes having a field mate that will groom with her. My mare wouldn't cope with losing her companion now and I wouldn't like to do it to either of them. That is partly why I haven't spoken to the charity, incase they tell me to return her. They are a fairly new set up and I realise now are not knowledgeable about horses ( she was not previously horsey prior to rescuing the first lot). But she has put my mare at risk by not vaccinating and sending me a pony with mites and is also doing her rescues no favours by not handling or making them ready to be rehomed hence they keep getting sent back which is doing them an injustice. I just don't want my unwanted advice to mean my mare loses her friend regardless of the separation issues. I may have to get a 3rd pony if I can't resolve it ?

 

[windand rain]

If you are happy with the pony and it seems you are I would let it go. They might decide to take her back otherwise and that leaves you out of pocket. I would't say anything and certainly wouldnt identify them. the internet is not a good place to rock the boat

 

[Melandmary]

Thankyou, yes I am. I think she will come good, I am using all my covid spare time on getting her used to being away from other mare by gwtti g her ready for backing and she is accepting it all with no fuss. I guess I just wanted to give feedback that though they do a great job rescuing, they need to focus on their rehoming program if they want successful outcomes. Their hearts are in the right place. I will leave it to someone else to point out their failures for the sake of having 2 otherwise content ponies ?

 

[Lintel]

I would definitely give them the heads on regarding future rehoming, and I would get a third pony .... Because hey? Who doesn't want another!

 

[Shysmum]

The hassle of the anxiety is not what I wanted to be dealing with but it isn't the pony's fault and also my ridden mare has settled really well here, it took almost 6 months for her to settle at the livery where I moved her from a d this is in part because she likes having a field mate that will groom with her. My mare wouldn't cope with losing her companion now and I wouldn't like to do it to either of them. That is partly why I haven't spoken to the charity, incase they tell me to return her. They are a fairly new set up and I realise now are not knowledgeable about horses ( she was not previously horsey prior to rescuing the first lot). But she has put my mare at risk by not vaccinating and sending me a pony with mites and is also doing her rescues no favours by not handling or making them ready to be rehomed hence they keep getting sent back which is doing them an injustice. I just don't want my unwanted advice to mean my mare loses her friend regardless of the separation issues. I may have to get a 3rd pony if I can't resolve it ?

Get a shetland ?

 

[Shysmum]

Try pig oil and sulphur on the mud fever ( patch test it first). Will clear it up.

 

[Melandmary]

Haha yes shysmum I have put that on them both last week as my field was already muddy. I have had to move them into another field that was not meant to be used but heyho that's another thread altogether. The Shetland is my last option if things haven't improved by spring just concerned about lami and the fact they are little escape artists ?

 

[Shysmum]

True! Hope it works out for you x

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Doesn't sound like they do a good job rescuing to me. When you rescue, you resolve any health or behaviour problems before rehoming.

 

[BronsonNutter]

I would mention it if I'm honest - tell them the problems you have discovered, but that you are prepared to try and make things right for the pony. They need to know the issues as the next people they rehome to may not be as knowledgable or committed.

Having seen things go bad at a few rescues where the owners have started out with 'good intentions' but don't have the knowledge or resources to actually rescue/rehabilitate, and things have escalated out of control very quickly ending up with the horses suffering, your posts regarding them have set alarm bells ringing. Hopefully I am being paranoid and it will all be ok!

 

[Kaylum]

Good grief all ours get a full vet check including blood tests, vaccinations, dentist, body check.

3 weeks quarantine should have sorted out the lice if it came to the rescue with them.

Is the pony still theirs or signed over to you?

How much do they charge for rehoming?

 

[Melandmary]

The pony had been with them 4years,she and her foals and a stallion were their first rescues. I made a donation of £200 and was told she was suitable, healthy and vaccinated and chipped etc. It wasn't till I asked for vaccination due date that they replied she had somehow not been done the last 2 years. Tbh I don't know think they handle them much hence not spotting the mites and mudfever. It is run by non horsey volunteers for the most part I think but generally they are wormed and vaccinated and have vet when needed. I know my farrier does all their feet

 

[Melandmary]

Oh and she is officially on loan to me which is why I worry they would ask for her back if I mentioned my concerns. I asked them if they would like to do a home check but she cancelled it as was busy. They have only just got charity status so I hope they will get better but without feedback they might not realise their ineptitude

 

[Griffin]

I assume they will do a follow up call if she is on loan?

If not, I would ring or email them and say something like 'Hey, I am just letting you know how I am getting on with XXX. I already really like her and would never part with her but I noticed shortly after she arrived that she had mud fever and mites, Don't worry, I am getting them sorted out but I just wanted to let you know in case the others need treating."

That way, you're not having a go, you are just letting them know in a fairly non-confrontational way.

 

[Shysmum]

I assume they will do a follow up call if she is on loan?

If not, I would ring or email them and say something like 'Hey, I am just letting you know how I am getting on with XXX. I already really like her and would never part with her but I noticed shortly after she arrived that she had mud fever and mites, Don't worry, I am getting them sorted out but I just wanted to let you know in case the others need treating."

That way, you're not having a go, you are just letting them know in a fairly non-confrontational way.

Excellent! And take photos of her now in case they try to take her back x

 

[Melandmary]

Thankyou Griffin, that might be a good way of bringing it up. They have messaged me quite regularly though for updates. I have already told them about the mites and separation anxiety but they just seemed not to be concerned. I haven't complained as such just mentioned the issues I am dealing with. I just felt like I should make it more of an issue so that they realise they can't be sending them out like this.

 

[maya2008]

Can you ride and lead for now, so you can ride your horse more? And maybe offer to buy the pony, so its future is secure with you, regardless of the set-up with the charity?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Get a shetland ?

That’s how I solved mine ? it’s a slippery slope

 

[Melody Grey]

The vaccs and mites are definite downsides that the rescue should have sorted.
Re: the separation anxiety- if she’d been with them 4 years (if I read correctly?) is there a chance she was settled there and it wasn’t an issue?

 

[SusieT]

They sound less like a charity and more like a hoarder. I would decide if I wanted to spend money on a pony I wouldn't trust them not to take it away

 

[Chinchilla]

They really don't sound much like a proper 'rescue', all rehomed horses should have passports, microchips, vaccinations, and be deloused, wormed and vet checked as a minimum.
To re-home without doing a proper home check is absolutely asking for trouble as well, although in this case it sounds as if the pony is much better off with you than the so-called rescue.

 

[honetpot]

Thankyou Griffin, that might be a good way of bringing it up. They have messaged me quite regularly though for updates. I have already told them about the mites and separation anxiety but they just seemed not to be concerned. I haven't complained as such just mentioned the issues I am dealing with. I just felt like I should make it more of an issue so that they realise they can't be sending them out like this.

You need a 'paper trail', at least in emails, you may not want to send her back but make sure you cover your back. I loan privately, and I supply wormers and vaccinations, even for companion ponies, and I do not charge £200, perhaps I am doing this all wrong.

 

[cumbriamax]

I assume they will do a follow up call if she is on loan?

If not, I would ring or email them and say something like 'Hey, I am just letting you know how I am getting on with XXX. I already really like her and would never part with her but I noticed shortly after she arrived that she had mud fever and mites, Don't worry, I am getting them sorted out but I just wanted to let you know in case the others need treating."

That way, you're not having a go, you are just letting them know in a fairly non-confrontational way.

I think this is the route I would go down. Regarding the separation anxiety the pony might not have displayed this behaviour with them, I think it's often the case when you have two horses or ponies, I had two together for a while they didn't have separation anxiety before and didn't seem to particularly like each other funnily enough but when thrown together on their own there was anxiety - as someone else has suggested perhaps you need a third!

 

[cumbriamax]

That’s how I solved mine ? it’s a slippery slope

Nah get a fell pony! Another slippery slope?

 

[Lois Lame]

If you are happy with the pony and it seems you are I would let it go.

This is a good point.

I've found that when I say something, I'm the one who feels bad afterwards. Then I wish I'd never said anything.

 

[Melandmary]

Can you ride and lead for now, so you can ride your horse more? And maybe offer to buy the pony, so its future is secure with you, regardless of the set-up with the charity?

I can't ride and lead as I have alot of busy roads but I have found someone who is going to come and walk the pony out with me during the week in return for her little boy being able to ride her when she is backed