What do i do with pony?

[lkpink]

Around two yrs ago I went to view a horse and to cut a long story short I came home with a 7 yr old 14h cob (too small), which was a bag of bones and 3 weeks of giving birth (I know stupid!). It took me three days to get her out of the stable when I got her. Anyway she had a gorgeous filly which I sold and now is a picture of health. I have a huge soft spot for her, she quite nervous of strangers and I have an amazing bond with her. I had a girl break her and ride her but her circumstances changed and then I became pregnant so sold my other horse. She has done nothing for the past 6 months is very green so im basically back to square one again. My sister now wants me to have her back but I honestly don't know what to do with her. I would just keep her as a pet as she's a bit small for me but is this just a waste? and I don't have a lot of time. She needs a lot of work but im scared that if I sell her that she will end up in the wrong hands. I could possibly loan her out but I have no rider and at the moment no saddle. Somebody mentioned loaning to a riding school, do they take horses and work with them, im not sure?. I just love this girl to bits and want whats best for her...im far to soft! x

[DevonFolk]

I'm no expert by any means but if she needs a lot of work I wouldn't loan her to a riding school; it's probably exactly what she doesn't need. Can you contact any local riding clubs to see if they can put you in touch with someone who you could loan her to?

[Darkchocsprinkles]

These people are amazing and can help you find someone willing and competent to take her on as she is, and give her a future.

Blue Cross is another option - they are specialists in rehabilitating and rehoming green ponies.

Good luck

[Sparky05]

If you don't mind sharing which part of country/county you're in it might help - can find options nearer to home? Sharing her? Or loaning her out is what I would go for - can always take her back if u don't like how she's being treated x

[RosesandRugby]

You could advertise for someone to rider her for you and then if you do want to keep her for yourself maybe consider breaking her for driving in the future ?

My local riding centre offer working livery and they do take less experienced ponies sometimes. Maybe send a few emails out.

There's also the option of loaning her out to one of the Equestrian colleges like Reece Heath College, Rodbaston/South Staffordshire College or Plumpton College. They run the usual BHS courses for students wanting to work with horses. They often take on working livery green ponies because it helps with the development of their students and the pony.

[Booboostoo]

Charities like the Blue Cross only take welfare cases and are full anyway.

Riding schools and colleges want experienced horses not completely green ones.

You could try loaning but many people overestimate their abilities and would not know how to bring on a young horse so you may get her returned with a bunch of problems for you to resolve.

The reasonable thing to do is to wait till after the holidays and send her to a professional (someone who has been recommended to you and whose yard you can visit while your horse is there) to school her for 6 weeks. At the end of that period you'll know what horse you have (safe hack? decent allrounder? suitable for children?) and what kind of new loan or sell home you can find for her.