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Re: RE: [RC] ponying - recklessheartranch

Key to ponying horses: have a golden pony horse. They need to be the calm one, 
the one that works off your leg with just a whisper. 

I worked as a polo groom for years and also ponied TBs on the track. With polo 
horses you exercise those guys 2-3 at a time. Of course, they all knew how to 
pony, but on a good pony horse, ponying them on a track (no obstacles), I could 
arrange two on each side of my pony horse...all in an English saddle. We'd trot 
and gallop for 30-40 minutes that way.

When we'd go out on the trail it was one on either side (these were broad 
trails where we could go abreast).

You just coil the rope up in your hand and feed it out/gather it up as needed. 
Teach your horse to lead up easily, then you can have somebody ride the horse 
while you pony it till it gets the idea.

But the key is the pony horse. If your pony horse is a moron, all is lost.

Katrina







From: Mellifluous <brio_gal@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 2008/07/11 Fri PM 02:30:56 CDT
To: Anna Wolfe <awolfe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [RC]   ponying



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How would one pony with a dressage saddle?  That is the saddle that fits my 
green horse best.<BR><BR>
<HR>
From: awolfe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<BR>To: brio_gal@xxxxxxxxxxx<BR>Subject: 
ponying<BR>Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:55:55 -0600<BR><BR>
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<DIV class=EC_Section1>
<P class=EC_MsoNormal>It often depends on the combination, in my limited 
experience.  Right now I am ponying my more experienced dominant gelding from 
my greener one, and it is working.  If I ride the dominant one he is more 
likely to threaten to kick.  But I have been able to trade off a brother and 
sister team.  Sometimes you can do it either way, and sometimes one way works 
better.  I have usually had more luck riding the greener one and ponying the 
older more dominant one, but some will allow you the leeway of trading off.</P>
<P class=EC_MsoNormal> </P>
<P class=EC_MsoNormal>I usually carry a crop to wave in the face of the ponied 
horse if he makes an ugly face or offers to take a nip out of us.  I’m used 
to carrying a stick anyway – I convince myself I could beat off a mountain 
lion with it if I ever see one!  Not sure I could, but since we do have them 
– it helps my courage – along with lots of singing when necessary.  But to 
start ponying a certain combination, I wouldn’t head straight out on trail 
at first, but try it at home.  I don’t have an arena, but I just ride around 
my home field a few times to get the kinks out to see if it is working.</P>
<P class=EC_MsoNormal> </P>
<P class=EC_MsoNormal>Another thing I do that you have to be REALLY careful 
about, but I find useful, is I use my saddle to help not have my arm jerked 
off.  Never tie a ponied horse to the saddle, one must always be ready to 
disengage very quickly.  But if I have a horn, I take half a turn around it, 
to help with the jerking forward or back problem.  If I have an endurance 
saddle I have the rope doubled, and pull it through the hole in front.  I just 
hold on to the doubled part, for it would be easy to let go and let it slide 
out in an emergency.  This is why I don’t just bring the whole lead rope 
through – there would be too long a tail to slide back through easily.  It 
takes quite a bit of adjusting to stay relatively safe, but that is what I do. 
Once again, be very careful about this, and maybe it isn’t for everyone, 
but I have managed to survive quite a lot of miles this way – knock on 
wood!</P>
<P class=EC_MsoNormal> </P>
<P class=EC_MsoNormal>So try your combinations near home, and see what works 
best, would be my advice.  It sure beats taking the time to ride two of 
them!</P>
<P class=EC_MsoNormal> </P>
<P class=EC_MsoNormal>Anna</P></DIV><br /><hr />It’s a talkathon – but 
it’s not just talk. <a 
href='http://www.imtalkathon.com/?source=EML_WLH_Talkathon_JustTalk' 
target='_new'>Check out the i’m Talkathon.</a></body>
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Katrina O'Neal
Reckless Heart Ranch
822 Estates Loop
Priest River, ID 83856
(208)265-4837
recklessheartranch@xxxxxxxxxxx

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