would you send this pony back

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Sags_Deer

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i have just started to teach a 12 yr old on a new pony she got 2 weeks ago. he came from a v big yard, been there for just 8 mths they wanted to sell him as no good for dressage. when the new people tried him did not put a foot wrong, hacked down road, etc all okay. got him back came up for first lesson, did basic work, trot large, transistions, circles when asked for canter he bronced 3 times kid fell off, all ok, back on carry on. this week lesson, lept in air then i lunged him riderless, turned him bum on me a few times then launched off down school v rare do i let go but i could not hold him. he is also being v naughty coming in from field , kicked 2 people and bitten. the kid is not sure she wants to ride. im really v unsure that this pony is right for this child. any views please. thanks
 
wouoldnt be concerned about the lunging behavior, mine all do this but behave when ridden.
Has child ridden it since last lesson?
 
I think 2 weeks is a short time for a horse to settle into a new yard, establish his place in the pecking order and adapt to a new rider. you haven't said if he is a mature schoolmaster type or still young. if it was mine I would persist but set less challenges and build a relationship.

Having said that, if you feel the horse is not as advertised, and it came from a dealer, it should be returned as soon as possible, as the longer she hangs on to it, the harder it will be to make a case for returning it.
 
personally, i wood. if he belonged to an adult, maybe considered keeping him but he belongs to a child and her safety is at risk. confidence is such a tender issue to 12 yeer olds and i dont think id allow a pony to sabotage that. he sounds more suited to someone more experienced putting in some time to teach him some mannors, although it cood b him still settling in or possible bac pain?
x
 
I would send it back (if they can), This child is obviousley (sp) over horsed and the pony sounds like a nightmare.
Riding should be about enjoyment not worrying about what is going to happen next.
 
A little concerning if he is for children and displaying any form of kicking and biteing I would be very concerned......and you could not blame the child for not wanting to ride,tricky, might be worth a call to previous owner/dealer if their honest to ask if any of this behaviour has shown before with this pony!
 
well im kind of going with berry and gabby on this one at the moment. children can so easily lose their confidence. and the fact the pony was so very different when they tried him. the advert said not a novice ride plus the old owners keep emailing them to see how they are getting on!! this is the childs first pony and is 11, not much history on him.
 
The child will lose interest in riding if not carefull. Why dont they ring previoue owner up and explain the behaveour of pony, if they are reasonable people knowing this pony is suppose to be for a child of 11 i am sure they will take it back. After all they dont want an accident to happen and then be taken to court do they!!!!. I wouldnt want that pony for my daughter, but if it were for me I would carry on riding it and deal with it as best I can...
 
I don't think it has been there very long to be honest and it could take it a bit longer to settle properly.

No I wouldn't send it back....however I wouldn't allow the child to ride it at the moment. Have the child groom and play with the pony and enjoy everything on the ground with it. I would do all the riding for the next 2 weeks; after this time I'd have the child hop back on again and then review the situation. If I had no problems with the pony then the pony would likely stay and I would do whatever to help the child and the rider build a bond.

I also would stop doing any schooling with the pony right now. He would be hacked out and given enjoyable riding time without any stress for 10 days before even going back in the arena.

Just my tuppence worth.
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I'm with Tia on this one. Two weeks isn't long at all really. I'd also look for pain, or tack issues especially if his tack has been changed. Also look at feeding; is he on better hay? Haylege? Something might need tweeking there. Is he getting enough turnout? Can you let him live out?
 
I would also go with examining the situation a little bit more before assuming the sellers have to take responsibility for the situation. First off, according to you the did say the pony was not for a novice so however he behaved when the people tried him, the sellers were up front. If, knowing that information, the buyers went ahead with buying the pony for a novice . . .well the sellers haven't actually done anything wrong. Surely it is not up to the seller to judge the buyer (in one ride) if they say they want to pony nor to put them right if they do not heed a fairly clear appraisal. Plus that designation should have been a bit of a warning that the pony might need some training and adaptation help to settle into its new job.

Obviously his situation has changed radically and since you have little history you can't really know how that will affect him. He may only need to be managed slightly differently and given time to adjust, which will be the case with ANY pony the people get. If they are new to horse ownership they may need you to explain this to them and help them learn how to manage the situation more effectively, but letting them expect that an animal won't need time to adjust is not very realistic nor does it bode well if they just find another pony only to end up with the same problem.
 
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