Re: Re: pony a yearling?

["Beth Gunn" <happyhoofprints@hotmail.com>]

Good info, Cheryl.  I am reading all these ponying posts as I am trying to
pony 2 youngsters with my lightweight gelding.  I have more training to do
to make this work.  Don't enjoy being jerked into the pine trees and thru
the underbrush:)
Beth Gunn
----- Original Message -----
From: Cheryl Ann <mskit@netsync.net>
To: <guest@endurance.net>; <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 12:06 PM
Subject: RC: Re: pony a yearling?


> Hi Tracy -
>
> I have ponied for many years, and I love it. It is a great way to teach
> manners, condition and prepare a youngster for riding, and give your
riding
> horse a good job to do. If I may brag a bit, I also happen to own the
> undisputed World Grand Supreme Champion Pony Horse, my wonderful Ms Kit
Bit.
> Just ask her
>
> Here is my Personal Pony Primer:
>
> 1. Never tie hard & fast to the horn. Too many things can and will happen
to
> bring about a real wreck. You will not be able to free things up when you
> need to. Personally, I don't even dally the line, either, I have most
> control holding it.
>
> 2. Use a breast collar, closed reins and gloves. Carry a knife, extra
halter
> and rope.
>
> 3. I use a short 1" heavy cotton rope, less than three feet in length.
There
> is more control with a shorter rope. Lungelines are way too long, and just
> inviting trouble. Even a regular leadline can be too long for ponying
> (different than regular packing, where I'm basically just traveling point
A
> to B). I do carry a lead rope, in case I need to tie the led horse
> ("junior") up. Tie this rope where "junior" can't reach it or put a foot
> through it if (when) he rears and comes down next to (or on top of!) your
> horse.
>
> 4. I use a flat web or leather halter, I prefer the web, fairly
> close-fitting to keep it from turning too much on his face. I have also
> ponied in a sidepull, and I put on a jaw strap (sidepulls should all have
> these, but most do not). I do not use a chain. You could use a larger
> diameter rope halter, but they're not too good for tying if you want to
take
> a break.
>
> 5. Practice in the pen for a few days, a week or however long you need.
Get
> him responding real well by himself in hand first, then add your pony
horse
> (the one you're riding). The pony horse must be well trained, mannerly and
> responsive, not too flappable, and dominant to the led horse. Best if she
is
> bigger, also. She should sidepass, turn on fore/back hand, back up
> willingly, and neck reining is a must. She must be well broke to the rope,
> it may end up under her tail, around her neck, under her belly and around
a
> leg (another story sometime), etc. Another good reason for the shorter,
> heavy tow rope.
>
> 6. Most times, the rider should do the disciplining, but that depends on
you
> and how well you know your pony horse. I allow Kit to discipline them, she
> gives 'em a "look", more if they ask for it! Keep their nose at your knee.
I
> found that if they really get out of line, grab hold on the halter (still
> keeping that rope in hand) and hold  'em right up tight to your side as
you
> march along. This is kinda like when your mom scruffed you behind your
neck
> as she marched you off to spend a couple hours in your room for
misbehaving.
> It really does work<g>.
>
> 7. Look for "junior" to bite, buck, kick, rear, spook, crowd, pull back,
> stop dead, bolt, get stuck in the bushes, grab the reins or breast collar
> (and not necessarily let go!), fall into the creek, and try to climb into
> the saddle with you. Your pony horse needs to be able to put up with all
> that, without being a wimp, or getting mad. Let go if you need to, don't
> risk getting pulled off balance on your saddle. If he gets away, calmly
> either stop and let your pony horse graze, or turn and head for home, most
> times they realize all of a sudden they're alone and then they'll come
back,
> usually screaming and making a big fuss. Stay mounted if possible as you
> work your way over to catch him, then continue on like nothing happened.
Of
> course this depends on where you are at the time, use your own judgement.
>
> 8. Junior can be ponied on both sides of you and learn to reverse
direction
> to the inside and outside, and also switch sides calmly. I usually work
walk
> and trot mostly, and canter only after things are going nice and calm. I
> pony everywhere I would normally ride and do a lot of climbing, creek
> riding, and day camping.
>
> Bobby started ponying on his five-month b-day, two weeks after I brought
him
> home. He'll be eleven in May, and he still ponies with Kit and me. Enjoy
> ponying, it's the best <g>.
>
> Hope this helps -
>
> Cheryl in WNY
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <guest@endurance.net>
> To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2002 7:34 PM
> Subject: RC: pony a yearling?
>
>
> > Tracy TBlue1@aol.com
> > Can anyone give me any advice/suggestions on good ways
> > to pony a yearling?  Have never done this before. What's a good way?
> > What's the best equipment? Thanks!
> >
> >
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