We have a lovely 7 year old 11.1hh mare on a 4 week trial for 6 year old dd as first ridden pony (off lead rein.)
So far so good.
Taken it to arenas with other horses, hacked out and generally done stuff with it etc and it has behaved lovely.
Tonight an instructor came to give her a lesson in the field ( that she grazes in)
She and my gelding have formed a strong bond and he was in the stables adjacent to the field whinnying like a good un!
Anyway pony was napping a lot in the field and instructor was telling dd to walk and halt and turn her back on the track etc
I was filling Haynet and heard a scream 
Pony had decided to gallop to gate towards stables and dd fell off in the mud.
Dd not badly hurt with only a bust lip.
I was very upset and the instructor who has only just seen pony tonight told me to send it back and not buy it...
3 very horsey friends have all advised me that she only galloped off to be with the other horse and that we should not have been riding n the field really as it is her pasture which she relaxes in, and to basically give the pony the benefit of the doubt.
Going to take it to friends Arena on sat, then a gymkhana on Sunday then make a decision.
Owner swears she has never done this before and has been a prefect pony for the little girl who previously rode her and I tend to believe her to be honest as why give her on a 4 week trial and she seems an honest person, I have also asked around and people sing the ponies praises.
Would love people's thoughts.....
Or should I Just go out and buy a bloody rocking horse and be happy with that!!!