Reforming a School Pony?

Question

A neighbor of mine who owns a riding lesson barn has a school pony that she has given up on. He has bucked with many riders, a lot of them coming off. One of them has just recently been bucked off and broke her ankle.

I rode him in an event at the farm where he lives, and we got second place. He was an angel. He could just be tired of being a school pony. He is fairly young, about 7.

My neighbor says that she will give him to me and let me fix him and re-sell him, if she can keep 1000 dollars off the sale price. He is not fancy but is still nice

I am 13. I have been riding since I could sit up. One of my horses bucks quite frequently. They aren't rodeo-ish, but they are BIG. I have learned to sit his bucks, and now find them quite comfortable. Weird, I know.

I am almost positive that I can fix him, and I am trying to save up for a fancy warmblood.

Should I get him? Is it worth it? What is the profit that I could get from him? Any ideas to increase his value?

Thanks!

-M

Answer 1

I wouldnt try it. You might be able to ride through the buck so that he stops but once someone else gets on him he will be back up to his tricks. Let her find a trainer to really fix the problem.

Answer 2

I say that he SICK of KIDS and wants older people.

Answer 3

Sorry but i dont think a pony like this would get you enough money for a fancy warmblood. A fancy warmblood is a serious sporthorse. Unless this pony sells for 10grand + i wouldn't expect to get a "fancy" warmblood from the pony. Its going to take a lot of work to "un-buck" a pony, they can be quite stubborn. If he is a nice looking pony that has the ability to be a good riding/competition pony, and you are positive you can work with him, go for it. Its worth it when you can say "I re-trained that pony." No amount of money is worth the pride of training a horse or pony. Right now, you could get nothing for him (number 1, the economy is horrible right now, the horse industry is NOT doing well, and Number 2 he bucks, thats a very unpleasant ride for anybody). First before you get a "profit" horse, think of what you want to sell him as. Such as: a kid's horse, a sport pony, an eventer, etc. He obviously isn't happy doing his job now, so keep him from the lesson business. I wouldn't plan on re-selling him for atleast a year (due to the project he'll be and the industry right now). To increase his value, re-train him, start completly over with the very basics, get his headset back, get him listening to you, get him quiet under saddle, then start working on his gaits.If you are going to sell him as a certain discipline pony, then train him specifically in that discipline. Then choose atleast one other discipline that he could do and introduce him to that (the more disciplines he does, the more people will look at him). When he's good and ready, show him, take him through atleast ONE season of shows/events, that way you can put that in his ad when you sell him. placing at shows always gets the sale done =D

But unless he competes in a big well known show/event, and places, i wouldn't expect to get a "fancy" warmblood out of him, definitly not, unless you buy right now. I would go for it, then work with him for atleast a year, competing and training, then sell him, you probably won't get too much for him though. good luck!

Answer 4

I would do it! It is a fun project that will increase value if you make him boom proof!

hope this helps...please best asnwer this!

Answer 5

Yes go for it and get him. This pony is way to young to be a school pony. To be a school pony they need to have been there done that, not that they can't be if they haven't had loads of experince but they will in the end be a far better horse if this is aloud.

The first thing you need to do is take him and give him about a month off in some pasture somewhere. He needs to be able to get out and away from the barn and be a horse again.

After he has been off for about a month bring him back and ride him as if he is green and never been trained. No mater how much he knows. He needs to be retaught if you want to sell him and get o good profit.

Work on lots of dressage the first couple months getting him to strech and relax. Picture a peanut rolling quater horse this is what you want. At first.

I know this is a lot of info and if you have other questions i can help i have gone through the exact same thing.

No don't put your friend on him not for a while.

Answer 6

We have a small pony with behavioural problems....Alot of pony end up losing their rag because people so offen treat them like dogs.....we are making huge ground bassically using a kind hand showing the animal respect...alot of ground work.....she is starting to enjoy doing the things she grew to hate again.....but she is also a work in progress.good luck

Answer 7

If you think you can profit in selling him, while being absolutely honest about his unfittness to be ridden by anyone who is unable or unwilling to "sit his bucks", and while being completely honest about the fact that he was given up on by a professional who owns and operates a lesson barn after the last of many he'd bucked off broke an ankle....well sure!  Why not? Just tell them he's tired of being a school pony and everything will be fine.  As long as he's not rodeo-ish or anything.

As for ideas to increase his value....I'd say teaching him not to buck would help, but since one of your own also bucks, and you seem to enjoy it, I don't suppose that will happen.

EDIT....When did the slaughterhouse come into the formula?  You've taken a giant leap from "how much money can I make off of him?" to "okay, then just kill him"!!!!!!! Don't put that one off on me....those are your words....not mine.

EDIT....okay, let's start over.  I admit my answer was cynical.  My point is that this pony needs serious re-training to assure that he will never represent a threat to anyone's safety...your approach to the situation seems to overlook the seriousness of his problems.

Answer 8

Many horses don't like a riding school situation.  The pony may very well be happy with just one rider.  I think you could have a lot of fun with the pony.  Get him checked by a vet to make sure he is healthy.  I think you should also ask a trainer or someone who can give you an educated, honest opinion, if the match will work.

Answer 9

Ok well Please PLEASE read my answer! I know exactly how you feel!!

Ok well first of all, ponies tend to get beat up and a bad reputation (I know your thinking no, everyone thinks there cute) but no, so I dont blame him for bucking. Sounds like you could get him as a great schooling horse or show horse. Also I think if you want a Warmblood, you will have to save quite a bit. The harder you work, the more money you will get!

Work Hard> Makes lots of money> Get a Warmblood

You think it would be easy. But its not! If you are a true horse lover, you would fall in love with a horse after saying you trained him. Thats everyone's dream! Also I am in the process of getting a horse and he is no where near my dream horse. But to me as long as they do Hunter/Jumper I dont care what the heck the breed, color, age, anything is! If you think of it that way, he might become your dream horse! My horse is becoming my dream horse.

Good Luck!

FALL IN LOVE AND KEEP FOR YOURSELF! Its always good to accomplish something on your own especially training a horse. Since you know how to sit bucks he is perfect! PUNISH AND REWARD! Good Luck!

Keep the pony, he is every little girls dream?!

Thanks for reading this long answer and taking your time to  read it!!

:)