WWYD - At a loss

[dorsetladette]

I have another thread in C&T about my nervous/scared little welsh cob.

He's come back from the 'lovely ladies' breaking and schooling yard and we have decided not to continue with his ridden career. His reactions are just to unpredictable and extreme for him ever to be a safe pony to ride, or either him or a rider. The same would apply to driving.

I always said I would keep him as an in hand show pony (he's rather nice to look at) if he didn't settle undersaddle. But, now we are at the point and know he will only ever be an in hand pony I'm left feeling a little deflated.

The options I have come up with so far are.

In hand pony - his loading needs work, but I'm sure this could improve, he's not naughty just apprehensive.

An 'uncle' type pony in a field of youngsters. One thing B2 knows how to do is be a horse and live in a herd. But would anyone have a need for him in that respect?

I could loan/part loan him from my place as an in hand showing pony. Again would that be of interest to anyone?

I can't sell him or rehome him as I couldn't guarantee no one would think they knew better and try and ride him. The poor pony has been through something really traumatic and could potentially hurt someone if they were to try. He isn't a good companion pony as he suffers serious separation anxiety. I can't justify owning 3 ponies. My daughters cob is happy to plod out for a hack a couple of times a week, but I really want something I can ride/school and compete on.

Maybe I just need a bit of time to let it all sink in. We were all getting our hopes up as he was doing so well and then BAM out of no where it all went wrong. I suppose I was getting ahead of myself and now the rugs been pulled out from under me. He's such a sweet pony.

If anyone has any ideas what to do with an unrideable pony they would be very much appreciated.

 

[paddi22]

I got one rescue in who had been tethered in a housing estate and has an instinct to be super sharp and spin if hears a noise. I don't think he will ever get it out of him so we aren't happy to rehome him. I have in a field with a youngster and a fairly stable herd and he is the perfect companion, hardy and low maintenance, holds his own in the field, doesn't needs rugs or feed in winter. a lot of people would take a chance on a hardy companion pony as an uncle figure. it's a lot easier to rehome these types as companions compared to broken down tbs, for example.

no harm trying the showing option either, you might get someone who would take him on as a hobby. there's plenty of people that would love days out at a show and fussing over the pony. is he quiet to groom and handle? would he be calm at shows?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

You would be surprised at the number of people who want a larger companion as their horses don't like little ponies.

How old is he and how much has done in his life?

 

[meleeka]

I can’t find your other thread, but a friend has a rather lovely pony on loan that has only ever ever been used as a babysitter/companion. I’m not sure how this is as he a viscous little thing when he wants and screams when the other leaves. He’s always found a home though so maybe there is a market for such things.

 

[Quigleyandme]

You would be surprised at the number of people who want a larger companion as their horses don't like little ponies.

How old is he and how much has done in his life?

This. Little ponies are lovely but need such careful management to keep them in good health. I’m sure someone out there would love a larger, non-ridden companion pony.

 

[dorsetladette]

You would be surprised at the number of people who want a larger companion as their horses don't like little ponies.

How old is he and how much has done in his life?

He's 8 years old. Hasn't done an awful lot as he is a nervous pony by nature. He's 14hh and lives on fresh air. My worry with him going out on loan is that someone might try to ride/break him. He'll stand to be groomed and for the farrier etc. He isn't a fan of rugs as he doesn't like things going over his withers, but he never needs one and lives out 24/7 on fresh air. But he wont be left on his own so I didnt think he'd make a very good companion?

He's sound and is very handsome.

 

[dorsetladette]

I can’t find your other thread, but a friend has a rather lovely pony on loan that has only ever ever been used as a babysitter/companion. I’m not sure how this is as he a viscous little thing when he wants and screams when the other leaves. He’s always found a home though so maybe there is a market for such things.

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/benjamin-brown-update-proud-mummy-post☺️.784196/

Here's my other thread (its a bit old now)

Maybe there is. I'm just struggling with the thought of him going else where and someone thinking they know best and frightening him even more.

 

[doodle]

Years ago I was looking for a companion. Had 2 horses so one left alone while I rode the other. Didn’t want a small pony as they were on decent grass. All I wanted was something easy that would stand in a field and preferably need next to no work. Yours sounds ideal for that!

 

[dorsetladette]

I got one rescue in who had been tethered in a housing estate and has an instinct to be super sharp and spin if hears a noise. I don't think he will ever get it out of him so we aren't happy to rehome him. I have in a field with a youngster and a fairly stable herd and he is the perfect companion, hardy and low maintenance, holds his own in the field, doesn't needs rugs or feed in winter. a lot of people would take a chance on a hardy companion pony as an uncle figure. it's a lot easier to rehome these types as companions compared to broken down tbs, for example.

no harm trying the showing option either, you might get someone who would take him on as a hobby. there's plenty of people that would love days out at a show and fussing over the pony. is he quiet to groom and handle? would he be calm at shows?

Showing wise - he's never been in that environment so I wouldn't know how he would react. I want to try and get hm to a few little shows this year but we'll have to see how things pan out.

 

[be positive]

If he goes out on loan you make it very clear he is a companion only but he does not really sound that suitable as most people want a companion that is able to be left alone while they ride although he might suit someone needing company for a retired horse, not sure anyone would want to have him to show in hand as it sounds as if travelling and being in a stressful situation would possibly bring out the worst in him and anyone willing and able to cope may already have something, want something top quality and a small sec d is unlikely to be a serious prospect,
Your best option is to keep him and see if over time you do find a use for him or someone you know has a job he can do, I have 3 'useless' equines that will stay with me for the rest of their days, if I cannot cope they will not be passed on although they do not have serious health or behavioural issues they would not be easy to place in suitable homes.

 

[Equi]

My gelding ended up with me cause I needed a uncle. If your pony will tolerate babies and young colts but also not be a total push over with them then uncleing is a great idea.

 

[chaps89]

I have a companion who can't be ridden (he's a bit of a sh*t) Prior to coming to me, he was uncle to some youngstock. In all honesty that suits him better than his life with me as he doesn't love being on his own, but he will at least tolerate it. If yours will stand his ground then that might be a good job for him?

It doesn't sound like he'd be a suitable in hand loan prospect for someone really but you don't have anything to lose - occasionally there are people who have had to give up horses who might like a share type scenario for something to pet and fuss a few times a week to give them some horsey comfort.
You'd be unlikely to be able to ask a financial contribution though so I'm not sure if it really helps you.

Dare I say it, pts is not the worst thing that could happen for a nervous pony who has obviously had some trauma in his life. It's obviously a very individual thing, but he's not that old and could live for a long time yet, and that is a big emotional and financial commitment for something you don't get much pleasure from. And would certainly be preferable than the potential of him being passed about or someone trying to ride him (for his sake and theirs)

 

[dorsetladette]

I have a companion who can't be ridden (he's a bit of a sh*t) Prior to coming to me, he was uncle to some youngstock. In all honesty that suits him better than his life with me as he doesn't love being on his own, but he will at least tolerate it. If yours will stand his ground then that might be a good job for him?

It doesn't sound like he'd be a suitable in hand loan prospect for someone really but you don't have anything to lose - occasionally there are people who have had to give up horses who might like a share type scenario for something to pet and fuss a few times a week to give them some horsey comfort.
You'd be unlikely to be able to ask a financial contribution though so I'm not sure if it really helps you.

Dare I say it, pts is not the worst thing that could happen for a nervous pony who has obviously had some trauma in his life. It's obviously a very individual thing, but he's not that old and could live for a long time yet, and that is a big emotional and financial commitment for something you don't get much pleasure from. And would certainly be preferable than the potential of him being passed about or someone trying to ride him (for his sake and theirs)

Yeah he'd be a fab uncle type pony. He's top dog in the field. But when he came back he was shunned by my other cob and he wasn't allowed anywhere near the livery mare. He's slowly worked his way back up and after 5/6 days he's now in top position again. He's not nasty but gently moves the others on. It has been interesting to watch how herd dynamics worked.

PTS is not completely ruled out. If I'm not in a position to guarantee his future that is a route I would go down. I wouldn't let him be passed around.

 

[Lintel]

I bought a "project" sounds not too dissimilar to your boy ridden, however was very good on the ground. I ended up cutting my losses and giving him to a lady who does mainly in hand work with people with mental health issues, war veterans, mothers with post natal depression etc.
I know he will have a home for life there, lost a few hundred quid along the way but there are definitely places and people that just do in hand ventures!
I would full loan him, that way you still have the control.

 

[Gingerwitch]

First and foremost can I say how much I admire your commitment to this lost sole. Secondly if I had not just not inherited another horse i would have certainly considered something like your lad, just to keep my 3 happy. Two I compete and one is a pet but does hack. Mine are on full livery but the companion would have joined the team and be treated the same as long as he made my pet happy then it would have been happy days for us all. I am sure you will find him a home but can be be unshod as this would be a massive plus. I also am looking at buying a couple of youngsters as have my name down for a field with shelter at my sister's yard. Shes looking for a couple of yearlings to mature then back and break and too much gin on a zoom call appears to have got me to agree to finance the field and at least one to youngster! So an uncle would be an asset if the ducks were in a row so to speak. One of my previous yards has a uncle who's only job was to stand on the box with the comp horses. All he had to do was be able to load and unload multiple times and eat !
I am sure he will find a good loan home with someone, just please put him down before you gift him.

 

[Fransurrey]

My mare sounds similar to him - I persevered for a couple of years before deciding life was too short to deal with her unpredictability. She's a companion to my cob on a livery yard, meaning that he has a 'herd' and she can see other horses most of the time when he's ridden out. At the moment all the others nearby are in during the day, but she is reasonably settled with a pile of hay. For that reason I wouldn't necessarily rule out the companion role if he would be on a yard with others in sight.

 

[TheresaW]

I have AmbersEcho’s Max on loan as a companion. He can’t be ridden, and like yours is only 8. I lost my old boy 18months ago, and was unable to ride as one would freak out if left alone. (Horses in adjacent fields). I couldn’t even bring Doll in for a feed without Ollie going mad. It’s working perfectly for me, and also means when I lose my old girl (hopefully not for a while yet), Ollie won’t be left alone and I’d have to consider going back to livery. Max is apparently ok on his own for a bit (haven’t tried it yet), which is the only difference between him and your horse.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I bought a "project" sounds not too dissimilar to your boy ridden, however was very good on the ground. I ended up cutting my losses and giving him to a lady who does mainly in hand work with people with mental health issues, war veterans, mothers with post natal depression etc.
I know he will have a home for life there, lost a few hundred quid along the way but there are definitely places and people that just do in hand ventures!
I would full loan him, that way you still have the control.

I was going to suggest equine therapy might be a useful role for him

 

[dorsetladette]

I think I need to let my feelings settle a bit. So I can look at the situation a little bit more objectively.

He is a lovely looking pony and is very well bred. He lives on fresh air and has never had shoes on, so is really cheap to keep, especially this time of year. My place costs the same if I have 1 or 6 so I'm in not in a rush to make any decisions.

A couple of photos of the man in question.