New pony general advice needed :)

[StercusAccidit]

Just 'aquired' a pony, having not owned a horse for a while, just needing bits of advice really...

Dartmoor x cob, 12hh hairy legged little beastie, blue roan, 6 y/o

She's a pretty calm pony, when caught - was previously kept tethered, now she's with us she's in a field.. so now she won't be caught :(
At first she wouldn't even come up to us, now she does but won't allow you to touch her.
I have tried catching her with food, but this seems to have led to her being squeally and nasty with the other ponies in the field.. oops.. so will knock this on the head before they get hurt or it makes her nasty. And its stopped working anyway, she walks away from the food rather than be caught.
I haven't done anything with her yet than catch her by fair means or foul every day twice a day, check and maybe groom her, then release, so its not down to only being caught to work.

Second issue is that she doesn't like her mouth being touched, i haven't noticed and feeding problems but have booked the dentist for her anyway.. I'd rather have her bitless in any case, but i assume she's been tricked into taking a bit by being given treats to make her open up, as she won't take anything from your hands.

Eventually i hope to show her, drive, and let the DC potter around on her. She is fab in heavy traffic :)

Hoping all of this will be overcome with time, kindness and patience, just wondering if anyone has any tips to help out, thanks for reading x

I think you've answered your own question - kindness and patience is the way forward.

Given that she was previously kept tethered which, is in my opinion an appalling thing to do, she has probably not been properly handled and doesn't really understand what is going on. She probably won't take from your hand because she has never been given treats. She's probably learned to distrust humans and suffered rough handling though, probably not outright cruelty and abuse. Your doing exactly the right thing, gentle grooming and running your hands over her body and down her legs will eventually show her that human contact is a pleasant experience and you will gain her trust.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, i thought i may have answered my own question when i got no replies, was relieved to see yours lol

She walked up to me today happy as larry, popped her head on my chest and allowed me to catch her, i patted her, checked her feet, then let her go and gave her a treat on the floor.

I guess we all have our comfort zones bless her
I've got nothing majorly against tethering as long as the horses are moved and cared for, although its not ideal, she came from appleby i'm told, am now trying to find out more about her past using tracing equines, hoping the EqD will be able to do her teeth with this going on, she's not headshy just funny around her mouth area.

Funny because she'll take treats from the kids, though with her teeth clenched and head dropped down and held sideways.
Clever really :)

I've brought a bitless bridle too, hope when i come to use it she doesn't mind too much !

Thanks again x

hoping the EqD will be able to do her teeth with this going on, she's not headshy just funny around her mouth area.

Dhorse is VERY funny about his head and mouth. We haven't found any way of getting near him with suncream or a worming syringe, or any form of cloth or sponge. A flymask entails a real battle (with biting and everything) until you get it over his ears and then he is fine! He is fine with a bridle.
BUT, he is completely happy with having his teeth done, even when electric tools are used .

So you just never know until you try! .

As for the catching, is she in a massive field atm, and if so is there any way of putting her in a smaller area for a while? (maybe fence off a corner so she is still near the others). If she gets a chance to become a little bit hungry she will look forward to your visits so much more .

I've got her coming to me now, by showing her the leadrope, go figure lol

Think she's just worried about being tricked, likes to know where she stands :)

I've made a major booboo though, not had a horse since 2005, someone asked me about her passport yesterday and read on my face.. they explained about them so now i need to get that sorted, the seller was a dealer and didn't give me a PP with her :(

Never rains but it pours - blimey x

Was she vetted when you bought her? Buying a horse without a passport is a big no. I'd get your vet down to scan her for a microchip ASAP, and get back in touch with the dealer and ask for the passport too.

I think it's illegal to sell without a passport rather than buy without so you won't be in any trouble if you can't get one from the dealer and have to organise it yourself. It does seem odd for the dealer not to have the passport though. Getting a scan for a microchip might be an idea before you apply for a passport (if it comes to that) because if there is one it might be flagged up if the pony has had a passport before and the previous owners have logged the microchip number.

Yes was going to get her scanned first, though she's down as six, her teeth say 3/4 i think, so i doubt there will be a chip.. vetted, no.. it was a heart not head buy, £100 and she was delivered to my house ..
Buying unseen isn't something i'd normally do, but she caught my heart and i moved heaven and earth to find grazing in 24 hours for her, very lucky or she'd have been a garden ornament, not my best ever idea lol

Dealer say passport is 'lost' and he doesn't remember who he brought her off. I've posted pics everywhere possible asking for past info, to see if i can get an idea of how she was brought up, parentage etc.

First of all, your patience with her is already paying off, find her 'sweet' spots and rub daily, they love it on the withers, neck, under chin etc. My semi feral yearling loves this kind of massage and we have a deep bond developing because of it

Secondly, you have committed a criminal offence by buying a pony w/ out a passport

Your dealer has committed a criminal offence by selling you an unpassported pony. The pony could be stolen, or proven unsafe or have medical issues.

Passporting of all equines is compulsory so that all vaccinations are registered (also compulsory) and that owner history is traceable so that you know it us not stolen or written off as unsound/unsafe.

You need to give back the pony to the dealer asap and insist on a passport because only he can get one and contact the police immediately if he fails to do so as your ignorance of the law is not going to help your case or stop you getting prosecuted.

You will not be able to take your pony to pony club activities etc without a full passport and up to date injections etc.