New pony 'planting' when coming out of the field.

[needastrongone]

Hoping for advice if possible, this is our 2nd pony, but we are not experienced owners, although have lots of knowledge available where she's kept.

We got a new pony on loan this weekend. She's in a small field with one very calm pony, next to the herd where she will eventually live, so she can gently say hello. She's very settled already.

Not ridden her so far (DD is 12 and a competent, confident rider, but not mega experienced, lots of PC and jumping, MGA), just got her out of the field twice a day, groomed her and given her a feed and also attended to a wound on her leg.

She's 'planting' a bit when we take her out of the field, we circle her round and move her on, she's alert, but not quaking with fear. Talk to her softly and praise her when she does move. She settles once tied up and fussed. I feel it was a little worse this morning so think she's trying it on rather than stressed.

I spoke to her owner this morning, who suggested she's pushing her boundaries, so be firm and possible a gentle tap with a lunge line or lead rope or even a crop. Says she's a good girl, but stubborn, so we need to be firm but fair. Establish the boundaries.

Just wondering if anyone had any other ideas for stubborn but not naughty. She's far calmer than dpony1, who is flighty by nature and quite a challenge on the ground (super when ridden and not injured ) but I want to get it right from the off.

Also been told to walk her backwards, as they hate this

I just would mention that's she's lovely to catch, whinney and trots over, happy for head collar to be put on etc.

Ignore this post - she came out of the field tonight plodding gently beside DD, stood quietly to be groomed, went for a short hack, then stood chilling, even though the other ponies who she hacked with went round the corner (dpony1 would have freaked at this) and was groomed and fussed some more.

Ah, sounds like a typical pony, testing to see who is in charge!

How's your other pony needs ?

Hi Floral

He's ok, coming back into work nicely, we are working in walk, trot, canter. Plenty of light hacking and some schooling really. Taking it slowly, as it will be a full year (October) before the broken elbow has fully healed. Then, ironically, it will be the strongest bone in his body.

My dilemma is this; he's 12, he loves to work, he's unhappy in the busy farm environment where he lives, he's in a constant state of being on his toes and alert. He can't cope with being out of sight of the others. He hasn't ever really gelled with DD, despite best efforts. He very much wants to be top of the herd and can be quite hard work on the ground (not ridden) He's lovely, but very hard work for her.

I think I need to sell him. We've spent a bloody fortune on him thus far, so getting some money back for him is hardly my priority, as I won't get anywhere near what I paid for him, never mind the extra costs of the operation etc.

He needs to go to a quiet yard, with one or two other ponies, and to do far less than we do with our ponies. I really think he deserves this. But feels sort of wrong to sell him, given what he's been through. And who would buy him?

Today, we got dpony2 out of the field, she's only been here since Saturday. She stood quietly in the yard while DD tacked her up and I bathed her leg, she didn't bat an eyelid when the tractors flew past. She merely whinnied at the other ponies when they trotted past to be tacked up in another area of the year, out of sight. Dpony1 would have been freaking by this stage

Just feel fairly crap about the whole thing...

I should add that we did do all kinds of stuff with him last year, tons of jumping, he learned games, camp, pony racing. He's a fab package, and very good to ride, it's just all of the rest of the shit that comes with him

He's a TB in pony form!!

Why not try for a part loan, to stay at your yard, so you cab keep an eye on him.

Sadly, he's unhappy on our yard, or that would be the best thing to do. He hardly shows himself off in the best light here anyway .

He previously lived on a small yard, with tow other mares and was very settled. When he goes to the vets for X-rays, he settles quickly in their quiet environment.

I feel I should sell him, for his own sake. It won't be for financial gain, he's cost us a fortune in a year

Currently, he's in a small field round the back of the yard, with one other pony and quite settled. There's no grass there to speak of though, so not suitable long term.

Moving yards isn't an option either, it's owned by good friends, we get charged very little and DD loves it there, she rides with her mates and they do everything together.

I still feel I've let him down though in a way.

Would his previous owners be interested in having him back ?

She's asking around, but have only 3 stables, all filled.

I like her, she didn't sell us a dummy, we are in regular contact. Her environment was very different, that's all.

Word of mouth is probably the best way, getting people who know him to sing his praises and be realistic about what's happened to him and why he needs a new home are more likely to get you what you feel is the right place. Notices up at the vets, equestrian store (Countrywide round here), local website, pony club noticeboard may be worth a try. You're trying to do what suits him best so don't feel bad, if it's not working then there's no point in pushing things and everyone ending up unhappy.