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Training a pony

3K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  abbyduke 
#1 ·
I a unsure as to how to train a pony that my kids will be able to ride. I can't get on her to break her and I don't want to put my kids on her until I know that it is safe, any suggestions.
 
#2 · (Edited)
I've started working with our pony very young, in short sessions. I've worked on everything I could think of without climbing on, tho I also haven't bothered with a bit/bridle yet. He'a just turned 2 and our son is only 3 - won't be handling the bit with our young pony on his own any time soon!

Scout has carried all manner of things on his back, including a ginormous balled up tarp, crunching and flapping in the wind. We've taken him over every obstacle we could find, including some tricky boulders, bridges and logs up to his knees. Of course, we practice patience standing tied every chance we get and we even practice trailer loading. He accepts the saddle without issue and even totes our 30lb. son around for a good 30 mins at a time, either led or ponied off one of our horses, always in the arena or yard. He understands the basic concept of moving out on the lunge, but we've never done anything repetitive, with consideration for his developing body.

The next step will be to pony him riderless on the trail to acclimate him and we are entering him and my son in a lead-line class next week. Which reminds me, he'll be used to the clippers by tomorrow, lol! He already accepts my high-velocity blow dryer, as that's my go-to toy for the spring shed ( sounds like a shopvac and moves the skin on my hand).

Whatever you can cook up can only help when it comes to prepping them for the little hooligans!
 
#5 ·
I'm guessing this person means "Break her". I like post number 2, lots of ground work besides its fun, and you develope a working relationship at the same time with your pony. A good thing to have established before trusting them with the saftey or your kids. There are so many things for a new pony to get used to, flapping tarps, saddle pads etc. You can do a ton of the gettting your pony used to all that sort of thing, without having expensive training or a trainer. There are several horsemanship sites that can give you the basics of de-spooking your pony. Also Clinton Anderson has some free shows on RFD-TV, I found very helpful if you have cable.

That being said, consult with a trainer, before putting your children up on your pony's back.
 
#4 ·
Once your pony accepts the saddle, put some laundry in a plastic bag, tie it in the middle so it straddles the saddle and get the pony used to that. It won't be very heavy but it will hang down a bit, and stick out. When ok with that make noises with it. Noise below it's eyes is one thing but this will be higher. If you have a woven grain bag you can introduce some weight by partially filling it and slinging it across the saddle. After those two steps, a child likely won't be any bother. As you walk the pony with the bag, offer it a treat now and then, not when you stop but during as it provides a huge incentive.
 
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