New Shetland pony kicks - what do I do?

Question

We bought my 4 year old son a pony to ride (tied) behind our horses. The first day, I was putting the saddle on him and when I went to grab the straps, he swung his butt around ank kicked me. My husband came and worked with him about the area he didn't like me touching and was able to put the saddle on him. We put my boy on it and led him around. He did fine. About an hour later, we were walking though his pen and he turned around real quick and kicked my little boy in the face. My boy left the ground and did a flip. We took him to the hospital, but nothing was wrong (THANK GOD!).

Today, he says that he wants to keep the pony (we had decided to get rid of him). We told him that he can never be in the pen by himself and he agreed. I'm still soooo scared to have my boy (or even myself) around a "horse" that kicks like that.

Can anyone tell me what I can do to break the kicking?

THANKS!!!

I DO OWN HORSES! I OWN 3 OF THEM AND HAVE PLENTY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM! Don't be a smart a*s!

Yes, we plan on him riding on his own one day, but for now, he will be tied to my horse when we go ride.

Answer 1

Not all ponies kick. But Shetlands are darn smart, and most know every trick in the book. Owning a pony is no different than owning a horse. If you don't know about them, then don't own one. They require a lot of care, and a lot of knowledge. I got my first pony just before my mom got her horse, but I was 10 years old. You got a pony to lead the kid around on? So you bought your child a dangerous "toy"?
Would you consider owning a cougar without knowing how to handle one? It is going to be very hard to break that habit if you don't have a decent amount of horse experience. I have found most Shetlands to even be hard to spook, which is what you would want to do to get a horse not to do that. You have to pay attention, and when you see them maneuver to do it, you have to scare the pee out of them.
Ever plan on NOT leading your child around on the pony? Letting him just ride it by himself?? Well, most Shetlands will know every trick in the book to throw a rider, and yours has made it clear he doesn't like to be ridden. Why not just find a nice dead broke, bombproof horse for your boy? Or put him in a saddle buddy behind you or hubby?? You might want to reconsider the Shetland before you scare that child off riding forever.

Answer 2

First of all, please, please don't let your four year old make such an important decision for you!

While kicking problems can be resolved with training, discipline and consistency, we're talking about a pony with what sounds like a majorly bad habit and a very small and very vulnerable child. Not a good combination!!!

I would contact whoever you bought the pony from and ask for a very good explanation and a refund.

Don't believe any answer that starts with: "golly, he's never done that before...". The fact that the pony did it twice in an hour and under two completely difference sets of circumstances makes me believe this is a serious behavioral problem.

If you really want to persist with the pony (and as a horse trainer who is also a Mom, I honestly can't recommend it), you might start by getting a vet out to check him over for soreness or even vision problems. Then I'd send him to a reputable trainer to work with him - keeping your son out of harm's way and having the issue addressed by a professional at the same time.

Wish I could be more positive, but your son's safety has to be the most important issue. There are a million quiet and gentle ponies and horses out there and he deserves one that he (and you) can trust.

Answer 3

Thank goodness your son is OK, and it's great that this hasn't put him off, well done, you're raising a game one there.

Now this is just my personal opinion, but I have strong feelings that novice children and Shetland ponies don't mix, i think they are just to feisty and opinionated for a 4 year old. I would seriously consider getting him something more child centred for his first year or so, then let him have the Shetland.

If you really want to keep the pony then maybe looking at some of the 'horse whisperer' techniques, working him a round pen, and going for join up techniques.

Shetlands are bright, but they do like things their own way, so you have to find a way of establishing yourself as the herd leader, in everything that you do.

Sorry can't be more help, good luck with him, and tell your son that he has a fan on line.

Answer 4

hi i've been riding for 8 years and have leased two shetland ponies- one with a kicking problem and one with a biting problem.

I broke both of these ponies of there habits by carrying a crop/bat/whip/stick whatever you want to call it around. Everytime they would even try to do anything, I would let 'em have it on the hiney. never on the head or neck though, its not abuse, just discipline. it took about 1-2 weeks of this every day and some occasional reminding shortly after, but it did the trick.

Answer 5

Horses ponies does'nt matter they are herd animals. You have to show them who is boss. With a Shetland and a small boy that can be a challange. Happy to hear your son wasnt hurt. When my son was 5 we had purchased a 4 year old green broke Shetland pony. When my son would lead her she would try to kick him or rear up. The rearing problem was easy to resolve. But the kicking problem especially on a Shetland I had to resort back to my days training colts. I would wear the lights pair of canvas shoes I had and lead her. With the help of another person watching her as I led her to let me know if she tried to cow kick or kick period I would bend my leg up and side kick her. The same movement as if you were grabbing your ankle. Aim for the butt. Not hard but enough to get her attention. Remember your not looking to hurt them and you have a 3 secound rule to follow. If they cant see you do it they think its another horse doing it. Took me a couple of days but she didnt kick any more. Sometimes you have to judge how hard, Shetlands are stubborn. If you can find a driving harness with blinders that will help also. He will be more apt to kick with the blinders on but a short whip across the hocks will help if he kicks. Also work on his ground manners. My Mustang mare had a problem of swinging her rear at me. While she was tied if she moved her rear I would take my elbow in her ribs and push her over to where she needed to be. If she didnt move I would firmyly give her a couple of firm taps with my elbow in her ribs and push her over and say Over. She was 2 at the time. In time if her rear was facing me I would tell her Over and she would square up for me with her rear away from me.

Answer 6

hi i have well had a kicking shetland pony the most effective way to resolve this is by taking a lung whip(long for your own saftey), standing way back an simply run it over her hind quaters,down its legs and over his hoofs.he can then kick as much as he likes and no one will get hurt eventually he will get fed up an stop.my horse stopped in a day and i hope yours will hope i can help nai x p.s good luck.

Answer 7

ok. i own one Shetland pony. and yes they will be *** holes but my advice is to keep a small whip around and if he kicks well smack hes butt works for me. hes gotten better since ive used the whip. he will learn to respect you more. and let your son spend as much time as possible with him.

Answer 8

i carry a dressage whip with me so that the ysee the whip and if the ytry to kick ill TAP not strike, them on the rump and eventully they relize nto to do it.

Answer 9

Shetlands kick,it's what they do. They've been known to disembowel full-size horses.