Pony that shoots off?

[smalley]

I don't know if anyone has had the same problem. We bought a pony a little while ago and when we tried him he'd only been back in work a few days after being turned away for the winter and he was an absolute saint. We brought him home and gave him a day to settle in before riding him. I got on him and he seemed a bit nervous and next thing I knew he was bolting straight for the fence. We lunged him a bit, leant over his back, got back on and he was ok but tense. We put it down to the fact it was a strange environment with a strange rider and we'd also put him in a different bit to what he was used to.
He was OK after this in walk and trot but he would do the same thing in canter. We came up with lots of ideas why he was doing it, I was lifting my hands because I thought he was going to bolt, etc etc.

We had his teeth done and changed his bit, then had a lesson in an indoor where he behaved perfectly again. We think he is happier in indoor arenas, as he's been ridden mostly in them. After this everything went really well, we did a couple of little indoor shows where he was really good and even if he had a bit of a scare and spooked he still wouldn't shoot off.

Then we had his back done and he had some time off, then I was away for a week so he wasn't ridden for about 10 days. When I came back, I lunged him the first day, then the second day went to get on him and he bolted again. It's as if he does it in a blind panic - he won't stop or turn until I come off. His teeth and back are fine, he has a big thick pad under his saddle that fits well so I don't think he's in any discomfort. The only thing I can think was it was the first time I had ridden him at home without lunging him immediately beforehand since the very first day I got on him, and that he'd had some time off. He's apparantly never done it before and it is completley out of character as he is a very sweet pony.

Any ideas why he might be doing it and how to stop it?

[livbut]

I have one very much the same but have been going with him forays now and have decided too retire him before someone gets hurts

[gillwales]

I am loathed to say this but I would not believe that this pony has not done this before. If the advert said that the pony was a child's pony or along those lines then contact the previous owners and ask for your money back. Contact Trading Standards if you have problems. Last year there was a case on The Ferret and the buyer got her money back

Good luck

[smalley]

We are sorting out sending him back, it's such a shame as he is a lovely pony.

[gillwales]

Apr 28, 2013 9:09:56 GMT smalley said:

We are sorting out sending him back, it's such a shame as he is a lovely pony.

I think that is very sensible, I hope it goes smoothly for you

good luck with finding what you are after

[Em5]

Why would you need a big thick pad on if the saddle fits properly?..... Could using a thick numnah be making his saddle too tight and therefore pinching him when mounted?? Just a thought!

[gillwales]

Jun 1, 2013 21:35:09 GMT Ballyr95 said:

We have had a very similar problem with a FR pony we bought just under a year ago. When tried he was an angel, at home & shows and very successful with it. Within a few days of getting him home, he became incredibly sensitive, shooting off at any slight rider movement. He runs off out of pure fear and is pretty unrideable really even for a bigger rider never mind a child in FR. Again, every single thing that could have been checked has been - new saddles, back done etcetc the list goes on! We have approached previous owner who apparently was "heartbroken" selling her special boy but wants to know nothing about him oddly enough - avoids us at all costs and became very short when we brought his name up and walked away. We were also given the old "he never did that with me" so were left thinking it was something that we had done but now with recent developments, we are pretty sure he was doped.
Now we're stuck with a huge problem on our hands that cost us money!
Just wondering how you went about sending him back and to the OP, can Trading Standards resolve things like this?

It depends on if you answered an advert and how that advert was worded.If it says experienced F/R safe to ride , then you would have a case. Contact Trading standards and get advise. Keep a diary!