A 6YR GELDING THAT DOESNT WANT TO BE RIDDEN

Question
HI MY NAME'S JULIET, I BOUGHT A 6 YR GELDING LAST YEAR, I BOUGHT HIM AT OUR LOCAL STABLES AND HE WAS IN LIVERY THERE FOR A WHILE. BUT HE STARTED FLY BUCKING AND SOMETIMES REARING WHEN MY SON WOULD GET UP ON HIM. ON OF THE STAFF FROM THE STABLES WOULD HAVE TO GET UP ON HIM AND RIDE HIM QUITE HARD TO GET HIM TO STOP. THEY SCHOOLED HIM A BIT AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. I HAD TO TAKE HIM OUT OF LIVERY BECAUSE OF FINANCES AND HE'S BEEN OUT ON GRASS, UNRIDDEN FOR THE LAST YEAR. BUT I NEED TO SELL HIM NOW. TODAY I LUNGED HIM FOR A BIT AND GOT AN EXPERIENCED RIDER TO GO UP ON HIM AND HER BUCKED HER STRAIGHT OFF. HE DID IT TWICE. THIS PONY IS ONLY 13 2 PIEBALD PONY. THEN MY FATHER GOT UP ON HIM, HE'S 15 STONE AND HE BUCKED HIM OFF TOO. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THIS PONY DOESN'T WANT TO BE RIDDEN. YET BEFORE I BOUGHT HIM AND HE WAS BEEN RIDDEN BY OTHER PEOPLE IN THE STABLES HE SEEMED OK. AND WAS A FANTASTIC LITTEL JUMPER. I'VE HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE THAT HE'S BEEN SOLD ON A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR THIS REASON ( DOESN'T WANT TO BE RIDEN) AND I'VE HEARD HE WAS BEATIN IN THE PAST. ANY TIPS WOULD BE HELPFUL. I'VE BROUGHT HIM IN NOW, HE'S IN A STABLE AND WILL BE ON HAY AND WATER FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. AND INITIALLY I PLAN ON JUST LUNGING HIM FOR A BIT EVERY DAY. HELP PLEASE.

Answer
Hi Juliet!

If you look back at my record of answers you will see lots of questions about ponies and my unwavering opinion of them.  They are horrid little creatures and when they are bad they are very, very bad and when they are good, they are utterly charming.  Seems as though you have the former, eh?

OK.  I am sure this pony was ridden and jumped when he was in the previous ownership because he felt there was no other alternative except to do as was required of him.  Was he "beaten" into that temporary submission?  Probably, yes.  And that is why it was temporary.  He was not "trained into it" as much as bullied.  Beating and bullying only work as long as that person holds sway over the pony.  The minute they get out of the saddle, he will challenge the next rider and they must be as harsh with him or even more to get him to listen.  The slightest weakness on the new riders part and BOOM!  He says "Ha!  You aren't going to beat me so OFF you GO!!!"

I will be very honest here.  A tough pony can take quite a beating with a crop.  You can really haul on him and manhandle he and he will just give as good as he takes.  I feel this may have been the only thing he has known in his life and therefore, it is the only thing he respects from a rider.

If you do not have the riding skills and stomach to ride him that way to get him to fall into line....you really should give him up.  I know you said you want to sell him and that you feel you were taken advantage of when you bought him.  Yes, you were.  And now, you cannot do this to another person, can you?

I suggest you give him free and clear to an advanced rider or trainer who has had years of experience with ponies and hope they can straighten him out and make him into something.  You certainly cannot sell him to anyone right now and the money you would have to spend to have a trainer put him right would probably not be made up when you finally did find him a buyer.

This pony is young and has had his head made hard by his past experiences with humans.  The damage is done and now he is this way forever.  Well, I shouldn't say that...he may come around with years of quiet solid training that taught him to respond because of intelligence and not violence.  But, it sounds as though you have neither the skill or time to do that for him.  Try and find someone who does.  Forget about the $$$, cut your losses and get out now.  If you do decide to get another horse, do a bit more homework, take along a reputable trainer to advise you and have the vet check him too.  Oh, and remember this pony and look for the warning signs that he gave you....and if you see them...Smile, say "No, thank you" and walk right out of that stables!!  With your money and your backside unhurt! LOL!!

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange