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Post by KarenJean on Oct 27, 2017 16:45:19 GMT
An acquaintance of mine has just sold a FR show pony to a very inexperienced home. This is the family’s first pony and the little girl is just coming off lead rein. The issue had with this, is the pony has been to several production yards over the past year and is completely unsuitable for a ridden pony, let alone a FR, causing serious injuries to two experienced adult jockeys working on these yards. It had problems post gelding and the vet advice when it was on the same yard as me was to keep as a grass companion (I don’t know full details) or to put the pony to sleep.
As much as I’d love to inform the new owners, I feel it is not my place and could cause a whole load of trouble, but when a child is involved- there are serious ethical reasons. Hopefully someone else will inform the family.
What would you do?
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Post by gillwales on Oct 27, 2017 18:34:52 GMT
I would want to look at myself in the mirror, I would not want a child's injuries on my conscious. I would tell and give the details of the Vet that gave the advice. But first of all I would advise the acquaintance of my intentions to give them the chance to put things right.
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Post by snowman on Oct 27, 2017 18:48:20 GMT
I once bought a pony from a yard that was local to me, it put me in intensive care. I wish someone had warned me that he wasn’t genuine.
You have to do what right, they may not want to hear it but at least they then have fair warning.
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Post by maxandpaddy on Oct 27, 2017 20:06:09 GMT
Awful situation to be in and the fact you’ve posted on here asking for advice kinda says you already know what needs to be done. I’m a wimp, so as a first port of call I’d probably send an anonymous message but leave an opening/email address/something for a response. As in to begin with I’d try to fill them in on what I knew about the pony, and knowing me hope that was enough to get the ball rolling. But I’d be prepared for putting my name to it later if needed rather than risk a child being hurt 😔 Can you say enough without identifying yourself first? I know this is the cowards way out but if like me the thought of repercussions upsets you.. it’s a start in the right direction xxxx
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Post by Philippa on Oct 27, 2017 21:08:57 GMT
As someone who is currently looking for a FR for my 6 yr old daughter I'd be devastated if I bought something like this pony and it hurt my daughter then I found out later that people knew about it and didn't tell me.
Please do the right thing, it's one thing when you buy for yourself as an adult, you have a choice, children don't.
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Oct 27, 2017 22:33:14 GMT
Please, please tell them. I was put in a similar situation some years ago when a hack, bought by a well known Producer ( and friend) for a friend, was known to be dangerous. I didn't know they were buying it at the time, but it wasn't long before, as predicted, her daughter was thoroughly frightened and threatened never to ride again. The Hack was put up for sale, and another friend asked me whether it was suitable for her daughter. I told her most certainly not, and they didn't buy it.
The upshot was, the Producer friend had a real go at me for "stopping the sale " and I told her I could not live with the knowledge that this young girl could be killed by this horse. The horse was sold to a man who thought "he could sort it " It tried to kill him on the way out of the ring at HOYS and was never seen again.
The life of a child is more important than who might fall out with you , and in the end, you will be able to live with yourself knowing you have done the right thing.
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Post by ponymum on Oct 30, 2017 9:31:50 GMT
I was in this predicament , I told the would be purchasers , who pulled out of the sale , the person selling was not very happy and to this day we have never had the same relationship . But I would never of lived with myself had anything happened to the child. A life is precious .
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Post by KarenJean on Oct 30, 2017 16:55:22 GMT
Update for anyone interested:
I spoke to the seller and shared my shock that they had now converted the pony into a safe first ridden. The pony has been with a “producer” in the northwest for two months and has been sold as “backed” with potential to be a safe first ridden. They have videos of him all over Facebook being “bombproof” but no ridden photos/videos. I am giving the seller one more day to come clean and then will inform the family Thank you everyone for your support
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Post by Philippa on Oct 30, 2017 17:08:04 GMT
Well done for speaking to the seller. Hopefully they will find their conscience. If not please do inform the potential customer.
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Post by gillwales on Oct 30, 2017 18:22:59 GMT
Well done! As you have seen on here you have lots of support.
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Oct 30, 2017 18:39:07 GMT
Well done and don't be swayed , stick to what is right. It really is the only way to go.
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Post by Dipsy on Oct 30, 2017 23:39:35 GMT
Well done for speaking to the seller.
Please find the courage to talk to the buyer, you will probably never forgive yourself if the pony injures the child or god forbid much worse...
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