Young Rider, Young horse

I did not watch the entire video, and missed the jacket thing. I just went back and watched that part, and agree that should have been done differently.
I think I heard you mention Clinton Anderson? And I see she flexes the pony... I would do those desensitizing things with the pony's nose partially flexed, that way if she decides to spook, you can bring her around in a one rein stop.

I also agree lessons will help further her skills, but I feel you are on the right track.

Good luck, and you'll have to post more videos of their progress together!

Yes, we have lesson instructors, but I want to see my kid learn to ride her pony, not some finished old lesson horse! If its sound logic that a horse will take advantage of a less experienced rider, than having the horse ridden by an experienced rider will only tend to harm the child/horse relationship. So, I am willing to have the instructor work with them as a team, to insure correct diagonals, use of the hands, seat, etc...
Good videos, forum feedback, and many books continue to help in our training as a father and daughter as well. Much like the school system, great teachers are wonderful, but parental involvement, can not be beat!

Imagine, I have tons of videos!
I am a DAD

www.kenserratt.blogspot.com has video, of our 7 months progression with this pony!

I really like the idea of lessons.

This way she can solidify her own skills without having to train at the same time. This will not only help her as a rider, but help make things clear for her pony.
And believe me when I say not every lesson horse is a push button dead broke ol' thing. I think you could get away with a few lessons on another horse and then having the instructor work with the horse and rider team.
I think it would be very very beneficial. She has the foundation which will make everything much easier.

I really like the suggestion for lessons because the thing I think would really help her would be a lunge lesson or two. It's a great way to learn diagonals, a deep seat, and quiet body without having to worry about training at the same time.

Like I said before, I think she is doing a good job. I do think it's important though to not get caught up in the whole "bond" and "relationship" romanticism. Her ability to lead her pony will only be helped by lessons.


Ultimately it's up to you but I wanted to elaborate on that a bit more. Too often the mentality of the horse and child growing up together and learning together gets in the way of being effective and solid in your riding. All beginners make mistakes but the main concern so far seems to be those mistakes affecting the pony in a negative manner.

Dove, that's exactly what we were doing this past summer. And probably will continue in the spring. I like the way you put that suggestion, a lesson for the child without the concerns of training. It seems time, money, and expectations get in the way of this path.
Winter begins to wrap its chilly and wet arms around us and our horses, and the English trainer we were workin with has a covered arena! This thread has motivated me towards getting back in touch with her for perhaps weekly lessons until spring!
I have two quarterhorses, that will lunge her until the cows come home as well!!!

It may be good then to have a lunge lesson with the instructor, and you can see what sort of exercises to do, what to look for, etc (and people on here would have many suggestions I'm sure) and then you could take that home and apply it to using it on your horses. Lessons are expensive so that may be a good way to get the same effect without having to spend as much money on lessons. I'm not sure what your riding experience is and if you would be able to spot what she needs to fix while riding, but if you could I think this would really help.

I think by spring if you kept up what you've been doing and strengthened her equitation you'd have an awesome little team on your hands! :)