Conference noted::equitation

    Janice,
    
    I would try him alone and see how he does, he may suprise you. 
    The problem you now have will only continue to get worse, and
    of you have children or like you said, the dog, someone could
    get seriously hurt by their stupid antics.  Horses do get quite
    used to staying alone.  When I got my mare off the track, she had
    never been alone, and lived at my house with my border, then the
    border left, and the mare wasn't even lonely.  She had never been
    alone in her life.  It sounds as if the situation would be more
    pleasant of you kept the horse by himself, and gave him tons of
    attention in the beginning until he got used to it.
    
    

    It would be interesting to know what type of a situation the pony
    came from before he came to your place.  Was he alone?  Was he king
    of the pasture?  Was he gelded properly or does he still feel he
    has to conquer the world?  Was he with mares or geldings?  Was he
    alone?
    
    Sorry I have no real answer for you but possibly knowing his background
    will help you solve your problem.
    
    GOOD LUCK
    

	Thanks for the info - things WERE going much better when Jazz was
alone ... I like having him outside for most of the day ... he really seems
happier for it and has been a different horse since bringing him home in July.

	I don't know alot about the pony - I bought him from a local stable.
He spent very little time turned out - was used for pony rides for kids (and he
is good with kids, to lead around with little ones on his back and for them
to brush, etc...)  My inexperienced son has no problems handling him and the
pony lunges, knows voice commands, is good in his stall, etc.  (My kids are
not horse crazy - so giving him up or getting something else won't be a big 
problem).

	I was told that he had a previous people biting problem 
that was cured by not giving him treats by hand - and he hasn't attempted to
bite anyone.  I'm not sure when he was gelded - a good question to ask.  I 
talked to the stable owner about this problem and she instructed me to not
let the pony out as he is used to being indoors anyway.  This doesn't solve
any problems - and I don't like leaving him in all day, but for now, this is
what I'm doing.

    Hi Janice,
    
    I recently went through the same situation, got a pony to keep my
    horse company. They had several "arguements" but everything has
    ironed out. The pony would nip, chase, kick, and the gelding took
    it all. Now they're inseperable and even share their hay with each
    other.
    
    re size: Size means nothing as my pony is 14.1 and my gelding is
    16.1 ! it's survival of the fittest.
    
    re pecking order: As to your wondering why Jazz won't fight back
    and establish the pecking order? It's already been established and
    the pony is the boss.
    
    I feel that the previous owners should have mentioned to you that
    the pony did not get along with geldings (or stallions). Some ponies
    get along with mares only.
    
    If you feel the pony is worth keeping, then definitely make a divider.
    If not, an old brood mare would make great company for Jazz. They're
    are plenty around and you can get them for free in many cases.
    
    Jazz will become very neurotic if kept in that situation for much
    longer. As far as his hooves go, I wouldn't recomend a floor of
    sawdust/manure as the sawdust retains moisture (i.e. rain) and the
    manure may cause him to get thrush if he has pads on. You can order
    a load of "dead sand" which is good for riding rings and acts as
    a shock absorber to the feet. (I got 18 tons for my gelding's turnout
    which works well for his navicular.)
                                                                  
    Good luck,
    Tina
    

    It seems a shame to give the pony up as he sounds like he is super
    with kids...they are rarities.  Don't really have an answer other
    than time or putting the buffer in between.  They seem to enjoy
    each others company other than the "who is boss" problem.
    
    GOOD LUCK
    

      Dump the pony.  It seems as though Jazz is your main intrest.
    An old mare would probably be better.  My horse gets along much
    better (7yr old mare) with passive horses so thats who she's 
    pastured with.  She's a loner.  Being the biggest horse of 15 in
    the stable didn't make her want to kick any butt either.  She
    originally was kept with the aggressive horses, and had buddies,
    but still would run off to a corner of the pasture to graze in 
    peace when she didn't want company.  One or two horses picked on
    her a little while, but it gradually stopped.(I think they got 
    tired trying to catch her)
    
    rick

	I've got to agree with .6 - get rid of the pony. If
	he's so good with children, that shouldn't be a
	problem. You got him for a purpose, and he's not
	serving that purpose; in addition to which, as an earlier
	reply mentioned, the pecking order HAS been established,
	and there's not a darn thing you're going to be able to
	do about it. It might calm down some, but that pony is
	going to nip Jazz every chance he gets, as long as he's
	there.

	And keeping them in separate paddocks isn't really
	serving the purpose, either. Horses which are companionable
	like to scratch each others' withers with their teeth,
	huddle together on windy days, and just graze side by side
	for hours. Also, each should feel very comfortable and safe
	lying down and going to sleep while the other watches out for
	danger. It's great to see when they are happy with each other!
	That will never happen with this (mis)match.

	My vote is "the pony goes"! You can usually find out from
	owners with multiple equine types whether an animal you
	want to buy is a dominant or submissive type. I had a pony
	for my horse, and they were great together. Now I have a
	mare for him, and although he sometimes torments her, they
	still get along very well. So it doesn't appear to me that
	a mare or gelding, pony or horse makes a difference, it's
	whether they are generally submissive or aggressive. Apparently
	that's determined both before, and within a few short months of,
	birth. 

	-julie