Pony on Trial

[BillyCongo]

We have our own land and stables but currently no horses. I have a pony coming on a trial basis for a couple of weeks and I'm also currently looking for a horse for myself.
The pony will have to be by itself during the trial but it will be able to see my neighbours horses in the next door paddocks. If I keep it I will see if I can find someone to lend me a short term companion while I shop for my horse. Errgh it's tricky as I don't want to commit myself to anything else until I know pony is suitable but I'm worried she'll be lonely and not settle. I thought about borrowing some sheep but they are all lambing and a bit vulnerable at the moment to stick in with unknown pony. Plan is to tape her off a small section of paddock next to the house so I can keep a close eye on her. I'm hoping she will be a typical piggy pony and happy so long as she has grass!
Any words of wisdom appreciated?

Has it been turned out alone before? If not I’d personally expect it to be very unsettled for a while. Are there any lockdown closed riding schools nearby who you could approach about borrowing a little pony as a companion?

I would expect most ponies to be ok for a week or two, especially if there are other horses in nearby paddocks.

The part of the paddock she'd be in means there would be horses on the other side of the gate with electric fencing to stop them nosing each other. So close just not in with her. Most liveries around here have a 14 day quarantine period for new arrivals due to Strangles. I guess if she does get very stressed on her own she won't be suitable anyway because I'll have times I want to take my horse out for the day at some point.

If she can see them next door I'd expect her to be fine, but it may depend on whether she's been used to herd turnout I guess.

I wouldn't completely discount a pony that gets stressed on her own just because you intend to ride your own horse out. We have a small herd of 3, and often take 2 out leaving one behind. One of them we have to leave in his stable with any because he would trash the field and do injury to himself if we left him in the field, but is fine in the stable.

Also, when taking a pony on a week's trial, be aware they may not be settled at all for that week. In my experience, you do not get a true picture of a horse's full personality until about 3-6 months after you've brought them home. All of the horses I currently have have lovely gentle calm natures but with each of them I wondered what sort of hellbeast I'd bought for the first couple of months! None of them enjoyed the process of moving homes - 2 had been passed from pillar to post through dealer's yards, and one had been in his home for over 10 years since a yearling. It is traumatic for them to move, and you have to be aware of that. I've seen people take ponies on loan and send pony after pony back because all of them are not the same for their one week trial as they were at the old home, and it's not really fair on the pony. You would ideally give them a bit of time to settle down before starting to ride them, but having them on trial for a week doesn't really give you a useful length of time to let them settle down properly or to see what they can do either.

Everyone has different ideas about how best to settle a pony in. I personally think it is a bit mean giving the a week or more in the field and then suddenly starting to ride them. They just get to the point where they think they have their new home sorted in their head and then you move the goal posts. If you will be riding them I think it’s best to get on them straight away. Also means you build a bond with quicker.

Given the choice between buying unseen, a short trial at their yard or a longer trial at my home this seemed like the sensible option? This is supposed to be a very placid dope on a rope lead rein/first ridden. My plan was just to initially just take her on some walkies on the lead rein without a rider and then see how we go. If she's unphased then I'll sit DD on in an enclosed area on the lead rein and take it from there. I guess there's not an ideal situation when you're first starting out. We'll just have to muddle through it.

Personally, I think a short trial at their yard might give you more idea what the pony is actually like.

I do think you are maybe setting the pony up to fail, but I also see that your options are limited!

I’ve trialled horses loads and only ever sent back the one that failed the vetting. Trialling at home gives you peace of mind no one else is effecting the horses behaviour, either with drugs, feed or management. Yes they take time to settle but I think you get a good idea of their behaviour. You don’t expect perfect but if they display anything extreme you can’t deal with they go back.

@LockdownIsDragging

I’ve trialled horses loads and only ever sent back the one that failed the vetting. Trialling at home gives you peace of mind no one else is effecting the horses behaviour, either with drugs, feed or management. Yes they take time to settle but I think you get a good idea of their behaviour. You don’t expect perfect but if they display anything extreme you can’t deal with they go back.

Thanks I think this is my view too. Pony isn't local so I might get a viewing but I couldn't go back and forth. This is a child's first pony so I'm going to be a bit hard nosed. It has to do what it says on the tin. I had a chat with the owner, she's currently on very limited turn out and in individual paddocks. Doesn't mind being on her own but isn't out enough. She'll get 12 hrs+ per day outside here so owner recon's she'll be happy as the proverbial pig. She's got potential to be an absolute diamond so I think it's worth the risk for the price of transport. Fingers crossed, just trying not to get too excited!!