Pony out of work for a year - starting off

[Purplehonesty2]

I have been given the chance to loan / own a 14.2 Irish leisure x but she has been out of work for nearly a year. She's in pretty good condition just needs building up.

I have been visiting her every couple of days for 3 weeks to bond, she's very sweet but can be a bit nervous. She has excellent ground manners but tends to plant her feet when she is unsure. Yesterday she fell asleep with her head on my shoulder as I was giving her a massage. 🥰

All the other horses I have had in the past have been happy hacker types, and I've never had to start them again.

Any advice as to what to do? I'm thinking lots of ground work, and then try lunge her and ease back into riding by pottering around the fields first and letting her have a good look at things.

Is this the right thing to do?

Tia

That all sounds very positive 😊

This is so lovely. She really is beautiful.

Lovely news, glad to hear you are getting on so well!

She had her first ride today in the school. Just ten minutes as she was very tense and nervous.

It was a horribly windy day too which didn't help but bless her she didn't do anything bad just froze a few times.

Once she had settled down a bit we popped her back in the field with lots of praise.

Long way to go, but she tries hard and wants to please.

Yard owner thinks she has been badly treated by her reactions to things like picking up back feet. Why are people so cruel.

I agree with the above poster who said don't bother with hoof dressings if you wish to improve hoof quality. The best I have ever tried is Progressive Earth Pro Hoof - it is pure minerals. After a couple of trimming cycles my old barefoot TB went from white line disease in 3 out of 4 feet to trimming out completely (it was never particularly bad, just persistent.) Now returned in one hoof after I stopped the Pro Hoof. So going back on it!

Thank you I will get some.

Spoke to her previous farrier today and he said he cut the bit out that's missing and it caused a crack above.

Anyway wouldn't hurt to get her on it. I'm trying a calmer supplement - as she is so spooky. Took her a short walk out of the yard and she spooked at everything today. Hopefully it might help her relax a little but we will see in a few weeks time.

It's going to be a very long road but that's ok as I'm not in any hurry and I think she and I will have a good time growing old together!!

Oh she's lovely. Sounds like you're starting off well.

Take your time and have fun.

She'll be sussing you out as much as you are her. 💗

Update if anyone is interested.....!

Well dpony is home and settled back in. She brought a friend home with her and the two of them are inseparable. They really don't leave each other's side!

She has had some issues with her back leg so we have had physio out, farrier and saddle fitter. She has very little core strength so we've done lots of hill walks and carrot stretches to improve this. I can see a difference in her already her back looks much straighter.

She still comes to the fence whenever we are outside and looks for me nodding as soon as I step outside. She's definitely happier with a friend in tow and enjoys going out on her walks with him. It's helped her confidence and she's less spooky for sure!

I bathed them both today and she was so good. The only issue we have now is picking up back feet. She will not let me!! Today I picked them up and hosed them off and she was fine. But as soon as a hoof pick appears she goes mad!!