millikins
Well-Known Member
41" Standard Shetland gelding, good quality, well bred, nearly 6 and built like the proverbial outhouse. Bought unbroken a year ago as driving prospect. Got him home and discovered he's been seriously spoilt and a bargy, rude git given any hint of a chance to be so. He kicked me hard enough to cause a crush fracture of the top of my tibia, is aggressive to dogs and mares, except my dominant old mare but he's not riggy, just totally lacks respect.
Got him working, broke to ride first as no harness, tried every evasion going, bucking, planting, rolling but is now riding out though nappy if ridden at home. Ground manners much improved but still room for more.
He's been out in hand to shows 3 or 4 times and always well placed.
Broke to harness, took to it like a duck to water, had lessons, drove in company, no problems, really sweet and smooth. Took him to first driven show, very quiet afternoon with only one other in his class; disaster, he bolted in the warm up when a horse pair came past him (they'd already been past twice). Until that point he'd given no indication this might happen or I would have withdrawn. He's caused about £1200 damage to cart and a car but fortunately no injuries. This includes insurance excess.
Now I'm stuck. Won't drive him again, not suitable for a young child or a novice to ride or handle and could only be a companion to geldings.
Both available riders are about 9 stone, so ok for short periods but not fair I don't think for serious hacks or schooling'
Have sent his details to Blue Cross, maybe a vetted, monitored loan could work but haven't heard back yet.
The riff raff are already circling via well meant attempts to help from a family member, I'm very reluctant to put a pony with "issues" on the open market.
Any ideas good folk of HHO? And thanks for reading our sorry tale.
Got him working, broke to ride first as no harness, tried every evasion going, bucking, planting, rolling but is now riding out though nappy if ridden at home. Ground manners much improved but still room for more.
He's been out in hand to shows 3 or 4 times and always well placed.
Broke to harness, took to it like a duck to water, had lessons, drove in company, no problems, really sweet and smooth. Took him to first driven show, very quiet afternoon with only one other in his class; disaster, he bolted in the warm up when a horse pair came past him (they'd already been past twice). Until that point he'd given no indication this might happen or I would have withdrawn. He's caused about £1200 damage to cart and a car but fortunately no injuries. This includes insurance excess.
Now I'm stuck. Won't drive him again, not suitable for a young child or a novice to ride or handle and could only be a companion to geldings.
Both available riders are about 9 stone, so ok for short periods but not fair I don't think for serious hacks or schooling'
Have sent his details to Blue Cross, maybe a vetted, monitored loan could work but haven't heard back yet.
The riff raff are already circling via well meant attempts to help from a family member, I'm very reluctant to put a pony with "issues" on the open market.
Any ideas good folk of HHO? And thanks for reading our sorry tale.