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[RC] Ponying - long - GarnerTWell, I wasn't going to confess this the last time the subject of ponying came up, but I've embarrassed myself before, so what the heck! I have a goofy 8 year old gelding that I dearly love, but he doesn't take kindly to new things. In addition I purchased an unbroke 7 year old mare last year (she was cute, O.K?). She is now rideable in my pasture, but I don't have time to take her out on the trail. Voila...I'll pony her. Well, being a good student of Ride Camp, I read the posts & think that ponying in the pasture where we're all comfortable is probably a good idea. After the rodeo with my gelding was over...you know, the rope under his tail, over his head, behind my back, etc., we then began the training of the rider, me. I never knew how far I could stretch my arm & body out of the saddle without falling off, as my cute little mare balked & pulled back. And before you jump to conclusions, she leads just fine, normally. I finally had to drop my brand new lead rope in the mud & muck. She then proceeded to run all around the pasture as my husband's horse bucked & farted in the round pen. (That was so helpful) My horse just pranced & milled around...he didn't know what was going on. I finally caught her, tied her up to fence & then tried to get my gelding up next to her so I could grab and untie the lead rope. He remembered the mare lessons she had given him, so would not get anywhere near her. Once again I defied gravity to lean out of the saddle to grab the lead rope - this is where a crupper & breast collar come in handy! After 30 minutes, I gave up. I'd been on and off my gelding about 10 times, my new lead rope was filthy and covered in manure. Both horses were upset and I was really mad. For those of you who have ever seen Clint Eastwood's movie, Heartbreak Ridge, it was a major Cluster F.... Next time I'm going to get on my husband's Quarter Horse (we call him Thunder Butt), put on my old western saddle, take a few dallys around the horn & show that mare what for! That'll be another story for another day. I'm just glad I didn't try this on the trail. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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