Pony is 12.2hh and 5 years (young I know) I know it seems like we are rushing to make judgement but the instuctor feels that if the pony is going to react like this is new situations, could we ever trust it? The instuctor really is an accomplished horsewoman, the tack and ponys back has been checked, and its the tack that she came with. As far as vetting she had been vetted in sept of which I have a copy, so I didn't feel the need to have it re-done (in hind-sight, I should have but they seemed so genuine) The seller told me that when she bought the pony she was told it had been backed, but found that she had to get her AI to re do it. But when pony arrived she explained that she had not had passport changed to her name, but it was only sept that she bought her. That means pony has only really been backed for 4 months!! I would never have bought her if i'd known that before hand. 4 days is a very short time but I don't want them to possibly say that it is due to us. The AI is a friend that ive known for 15 years and has had horses all her life & show jumped at affiliated level, she says pony needs to be started from the ground up to correct previous possibly wrong breaking/backing (don't like the word breaking) AI thinks they may of scared her into submission instead of the firm but fair way. Rearing is the most extreme & dangerous reaction and I just don't think I could trust the pony. I think I will try the letter as poppynurse has suggested I have found other adverts since describing the pony for experienced rider! I'm going to get another AI to assess and write a statement and also video what pony is doing. I have a print out of the avert that i bought her from. (lucky because the lady has removed it from the web site) In the mean time have pony re started from the ground up & see if we can do this correctly, she's not a nasty pony just been handled the wrong way in the past. I don't think she will make a first pony but poss competision pony for a competent rider. Sorry if thats all a bit of a rant (again!) I know its a strange place to be talking about this but it was to find out if I had a leg to stand on?? Thanks for all your posts x

Hi, honey I initially phoned the seller and said could we give her a settling period and if she still proved to be the same would she take her back, she said no. I do realise that we have'nt given her fair time to adjust and feel awfull about the whole situation. The pony was sold to us as childs pony, if she rears with a child they would probably out of instinct hold onto the reins causing pony to go backwards on top of them. If she had just been high spirited so to speak, it would'nt be so much of a problem. If seller downright refuses I won't be selling her straight away, it just would'nt be fair on the pony. Thanks for your post, think i'm going to need the luck!

I bought my 8 year old daughter a pony 4 days ago from a private seller, the ad went like this; 4 white socks, Professionally schooled. Jumps fillers without a look. Proving to be well schooled quite/sensible (steady) forward going pony to ride for her age. would suit leid rein or child wishing to progress on to PC /RC activities. 100% on roads/ Hacking. Does nothing nasty/ is not strong. Proud to say she is well mannered! Price to include all her rugs. That is word for word what the advert said. I have a print out. We went to see the pony and she behaved well, was ridden by the instructor and an 8 year old girl. the owner said she puts her 6 year old and 4 year old children on her and they have no problems. we asked all the right questions including if she was suitable as a first pony and got all the right answers, so struck a deal. The pony arrived on Sunday and my child's instructor got on to school her on Monday. Well she is not as described at all, she was constantly rearing when asked to stand and managed to get the instructor off, which is hard to do, she is an experienced qualified Ai who has backed many youngsters and bought them on herself. she did not scare the pony in anyway. We have since had the pony schooled twice resulting in the same rearing and pushing instructors leg against the side of the school/fence. The session she had today was far worse resulting in pony rearing and going over on herself before the instructor could even mount. I have since spoken to the seller who admitted she did this when they first got her but stopped with further schooling she also said pony had run her children's legs against side of school also(I have this written as text to my mobile phone) She is saying that they have been honest with us, that the pony needed time to settle and that it was not mis-sold and she would not consider taking her back. She has also suggested that we have made her this way, which is why my instructor had advised I contact them strait away, which I did. I'm not sure where I stand legally, could I take this to small claims court? as i have written proof of description and the pony is downright dangerous. My Instructor is saying that in her experience the pony needs to be re broken/Backed and even with considerable time and money she still may not be suitable as the first pony that she was described as. I really don't want to sell this pony onto a dealer but could not possibly sell her to an unsuspecting new home!! Sorry to rant on, this being my first post but I really don't know what to do.