advice on taking pony on road

Hi there I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on getting my daughters pony used to roads.....as I feel realy nervous on this issue as my horse bolted with me on the road many years ago and im still very nervous about roads all advise welcome thanks x

First of all, how busy are these roads that you plan on taking the pony on? Country roads with only a few vehicles or pretty busy road? I would not take take him out on busy roads until he is confident on country roads and does not mind vehicles. Are you going to be riding the pony on the road or your daughter? Or are you just riding him to do the training?

This is how I did it with my horse when we first started out and she was nervous around the roads and cars. Start out riding in the ditches alongside the road. Try not to go in the fields--especially during the spring after they've planted--unless you've asked the farmers and they are okay with it. Stay relaxed but aware of your surroundings. When you hear or see a car coming on, stop the pony and turn him so he can see the car coming. I especially had to do this because my mare only had one eye so I had to make sure she saw the vehicle and didn't freak out. If the pony is staying calm, you can take both reins in one hand and stroke his neck and praise him in soothing tones. If he's starting to get anxious, don't freak out but keep both hands on the reins and talk to him.

If the car is going to fast for you, try waving your hand in the air to get the driver's attention. They usually will slow down thinking you need to ask them something. I'm sorry to say there is no way really of preventing the stupid people who honk their horns while you're riding. Sadly, they usually get a kick out of seeing how the horse will react.

Eventually if your pony is handing the ditches well, you can move up to the road. Horseback riders do have the right of way. It is helpful to ride on the opposite direction of travel on the road so that way you can ride towards oncoming traffic and drivers coming up behind you already have space to get over.

WEAR A HELMET!!

I hope this helps! :)

I also forgot to add, don't trot on the pavement for very long because it is very jarring on the pony's hooves and legs.

What worked wonders for me and my horse was to ride down the roads behind a well broke been there done that kinda horse that was completely unfazed by traffic.
Within 3 rides my horse went from wanting to bolt everytime a car went by, to barely flicking an ear at one.
Some people brush off this technique, saying they don't have anyone to ride with. I believe, being a major safety issue, that it is important to Find someone. Advertise, pay someone, move barns temporarily. (The latter is what I did).
Best of luck! :)

Thankx gem ......my daughter will be riding her and I will be leading I take aboard your advise ....the lane by the yard is preety quiet so will lead her up and down there a few times .....skip thanks for your advise to there is a few people down the yard who have older and confident horses so when possible will have a short ride out with them to....and as for the helmet ...no helmet no ride ...thats what I say ...xx

I personally ride with traffic, a horse is considered a vehicle when you're riding it on the road. The only time I go against traffic is when I walk. Bike, horses, mopeds... always go with the flow of traffic. And of course, if the horse starts getting upset/spooky, always dismount.

I agree on all of the above and also find ponying a nervous horse from a well trained quiet mount also can help (as long as you are good at ponying and can maintain control of the horse).

Before you take it out on the road you need to have the horse used to cars going by. Ride your horse in your driveway while someone else drives a car back and forth. Only works if you have a decently long driveway. If you have a short driveway wait until the ground gets hard enough to drive on and out in a pasture ride your horse with someone driving around. Hope this helps. You have to make your horse comfortable with vehicles first.

When I,m starting to break a green horse,i find a patch of grass at the side of a busy road and ground tie[tether]them for a couple of hours and stay with them ,the busier the raod the better,it dos,ent take them long to settle

I wouldn't do it I had a friend who got into trouble for doing this in his area and the police got to him and he got into trouble, not to pee on your parade but if I were you I would do a good bit of research into the rules and regulations of your area