Had enough! On the verge of giving it all up.

[Gilbertus]

Went to a show this morning and dpony was just horrible. Was good on lead rein for youngest dd but refused 3 times at 2' for poor dd2. Gave him a rest, warmed up jumped practice jump all nicely then slammed on brakes in the clear round. He looked half asleep the entire time. He's perfectly capable of jumping a nice clear, he just doesn't listen to dd2,its like she's not even there. Dd2 leaves ring holding back the tears. Then to add insult to injury he wouldn't load was horrible, stubborn and throwing his head about as soon as on the ramp.

This is the third pony we've had that refuses. He didn't when we first got him. He seemed quite honest. But now I feel as though we've ruined him. It doesn't matter how many lessons we have, he's fine usually. At shows he is stubborn and lazy.

I can't go through this any more, I hate having the worst pony there. We clearly have no idea what we are doing. I have said after Xmas they are going unless we start to have some fun with them.

Sounds like there is hope then

Great gilbertus - well not great that your dpony has a sore back - but that you may be getting to the bottom of it.
Just a word of warning - it may take a little bit to solve that problem - the share I had taken on, had been ridden along time in a badly fitted saddle - she got a new one, became very sore, I paid for her to see an oesteopath - who treated her 3 times, which resolved the soreness , but because she had been ridden a poorly fitted saddle, she had developed real weakness down one side, and this is an ongoing issue, that really isn't resolved still. Hopefully because your pony is young (and dmare a lot older) it will be faster to resolve.
Did the physio suggest lunging?

No she didn't suggest lunging. Lots of carrot stretches and gently stretching front legs/shoulders before riding. She's back in 6 weeks. She's a fab physio and I trust her.

He's 11,not sure where the 5 year old thing came from!

Oh - sorry about jumping on the 5 year old band wagon!

• well the carrot stretches sound good, it's always positive when they leave you with a "prescription" of ongoing treatment.

I'm sorry to hear you are having a stressful time.

For what it is worth, I think perhaps you should work on your dd2. What does she like doing with the pony? If she gets worked up quite easily, try to find some calming techniques. Rather than a ride, go for a picnic ride, have a best turned out competition at home, ground work (her leading) with poles and things, handy pony courses put up in the paddock.

Lots of people I see with ponies now, especially if they are the first ponies in a family can get treated more like mini sport horses, everything precise, lots of tiptoeing around them.

One family I know, the husband got quite fed up with the ponies, but that is because the ponies took over, there were no days out because the pony at to be fed at x time precisely, only 30 mins of exercise etc...

What I'm trying to say is that ponies are hardy, they can be dragged out of s field and ridden all day, as long as there is a bit of understanding and give and take.

Im sure it is just a blip, I can think back on some truly horrendous shows!