Project Pony - Pumpkin

Hey

Well. I had finished working with Pumpkin and he was not perfect and if Jalah continued to work him then now he would hopefully be a higly well mannered pony. But a few things happened and that meant Jalah couldn't exersize Pumpkin. Pumpkin really needs to learn a few manners for groundwork (This will help when riding comes around? *Correct?*)

So I was wondering what groundwork can I do with him to get him to respect me?

I believe good ground manners are essential for having a well-behaved ridden horse.
These are some of the things my Mum and I insist our horses do when on the ground.

1. Lead correctly. This means not barging ahead when being led out of the stables, not invading our space whilst leading, and generally being led co-operatively. They should walk beside us, but not right on top of us. Just work on it whenever you have to lead him somewhere.
2. Standing still. This takes a bit of time, but tie him up, and just leave him there. But still be around, so you can get to him if he get's fidgety or spooks. If he starts to fidget, say woo (or whatever calming word you use) and tell him when he's a good boy. You need to pet him when he stands still, so he learns its a good thing.
3. I don't know if your friend does led classes, but teach him how to set his feet square. This can take a bit of time, if he's new to it and a bit cheeky, but its a really good thing for shows. Pick a hoof (I pick the right hind), this is your base hoof. You want the left hind to be square with it. And make the front hooves square and in porportion with his hind legs. I could go on and on about this, but thats just the bare basics. Look it up on Google, if you want to know more detail. Remember to reward him whenever he does good.
4. Showmanship skills! Even if you don't do western, its a really good thing for a horse to be able to do. So teach him how to pivot (look it up if you don't know), how to stop really quickly from a trot, how to transition properly into a trot whilst being led and such.
5. Grooming manners. Be persistant when picking up his feet. If he tries to fight you picking up his hoof, don't let go until he stops. You are the leader, and you need to be in charge. He needs to respect your space, and not intentionaly (sp?) do anything to harm you whilst being groomed.

The little things are the things you need to work with. Even if your just leading him to the wash bay, do some littles exercises with him. Consistency is the key!

Thanks Gidji, I will let you know how I go. I might update this thread every now and then just so everyone can see Pumpkins progress.

Along with what gidji offered, teach him how to longe, yield his hip, shoulders, and side pass, as well as back with light or no pressure. This too can take some time, and persistance, especially if he is pushy to begin with.

There's a book called 101 Horsemanship Exercises, and I am forgetting the author\editor, but it has ALOT of ground work exercises for horse and handler (it's in my office, and I'm in my apartment right now). I love it, because it is very well detailed, and easy to read. It has a lot of good illustrations in it as well, which I like as a horse program director. I can just copy page I want to work with, and "show" students what we will be doing, explain it, and then we can apply it to the horses.

Hey guys,

Thanks a tonne. I'm hoping on grabbing a few spares minutes to work with him this afternoon. With having Chinga and preparing him for his comp its very hard. But I wanted to work with Pumpkin, so I've got to find the time. How long each day would you recommend he has a very short attention span so I'm only doing 15-20 minutes.

go maddie... I mean lara!!! LOL SOZ!!!! U ROCK!!!!!!

Thanks Heidi (Ella)! Has anyone got any suggestions for when I start riding him later on? If I get him to lunge really well should I ride him on the lunge?

Shouldn't you be at school, Chingaz? Hang on, shouldn't I be at school? LOL. Start lunging him with the saddle on, make sure you run the stirrups up and use the side reins right if you use them. If he's never been ridden on the lunge before, start slowly. Get someone to walk next to him as when your on him to, so that he's not alone and that person can help you if he plays up.
Get him used to lunging. He needs to be perfect and not buck or bolt or anything on the lunge.
Remember to end each lesson on the positive note. If you see his attention slipping, get it back, make him do one good thing than reward him and end the lesson. Its better to end on a positive, than be struggling with a negative.

Hey,

Yess I am at school! I'm meant to be doing a religion project but whatever! I've really got most of it done.. .. . so I snuck on HF. ..... .. . .. But of course only to help my horsey! Thanks for the advice. Now back to the cha. .. school work.

Have fun with religion and Pumpkin. Hehe, I'm meant to be at sport, but I got off cause I convinced the school my pony needed work.