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Post by bhopper on Mar 23, 2012 9:28:28 GMT
I was wondering if anybody had some good advice on a few problems  I am currently experiencing with my pony. Since starting the season he has been going fast to fast (for a lr) in the show ring, pulling and dislodging jockey, but don’t seem to have these problems at home. So obviously the judges and spectators have been commenting. We have had a new saddle fitted, back checked, teeth done etc to eliminate any causes. So was wondering if anybody had any ideas? Also how much do people think a lr jockey should do in the ring in terms of riding? Or should the pony be following the leader? At home (not ready for fr at show yet) when the lead rein comes off he is continually pulling and most of time pulls jockey off. Jockey is trying really hard and when he pulls does try and kick before shortening reins. I have tried a daisy rein, side reins in all positions etc but when have a more experienced jockey on him he doesn’t seem to pull. This is obviously knocking the confidence of jockey and would like to start fr soon but daren’t send them in the ring if he is going to pull jockey off. So any advice on this would again be much appreciated. Also I have people comment that the jockey (age 7 only been riding 18 months and only second show season) is not thinking enough for themselves, at such a young how much should a jockey be doing automatically? And how do you teach them to think for themselves? Any help would be more than appreciated Thanks |
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Post by ilovenatives on Mar 23, 2012 9:40:24 GMT
I would keep the pony on the lead at the moment if he keeps pulling the jockey off , at 7 there is plenty of time to come off the lead yet . At the moment the pony dosnt sound very suitable for a first ridden .
Is the pony a novice who is getting worked up when you go in the ring ? Do you work the pony before hand ?
Perhaps instead of going to shows for a bit how about taking pony and jockey either to some lessons away from home [instructor may be able to give you some advice on why he is pulling ] or perhaps to ponyclub just to get him used to going round with other ponies then you wont have to worry about people making comments as there will probably be worse behaved ponies at pony club .
What bit do you have him in ? Sometimes small jockies hang on the ponies mouth a bit and the pony dosnt like it .
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Post by rhosyn on Mar 23, 2012 9:41:50 GMT
Hmm, tricky one. You say the 7 year old has only been riding for 18 months - how much actual experience, say 'riding hours' as he or she done? And the same with the pony? It's very little use trying to get a novice rider to teach a novice pony to go off the LR. Forgive me if I've gotten the wrong end of the stick.. Is he 'pulling' or trying to find a contact? My ponies all do this with novice riders as they try to seek the contact they are used to, yet with more experienced riders they are happier and more content in what they're being asked to do because of correct contact on the reins. As for how much the jockey should be doing for themselves, well, at one extreme you can have an eight year old who can tell if they're on the right diagonal / leg, feel if the pony is going in a straight line, know when a pony's pushing in through the shoulder, jump, etc  BUT this is not necessarily what you need from a lead rein jockey. In fact my eight year old used to sulk in LR classes lol. AT the end of the day, I don't care how good anyone thinks their little kid is (including me) -up to the age of say 10, they're only as good as the pony they're sat on. I've gone right off subject here, haven't I?! Can you give us an idea of the pony and jockey's ability and experience? As pony doesn't do it with more experienced riders and you've ironed out any health issues this certainly seems to be at the root of it. |
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Mar 23, 2012 9:47:08 GMT
I know very little about showing LRs so won't go there, but how is the pony in hand without a rider? Does he trot politely alongside you without pulling? If not, maybe that is something to address first - and how about doing a few IH classes for his education in the ring without a rider to make sure he's OK in the ring too? But at LR speed, and not to compete seriously, just educate the pony. Any local show would do that had IH classes he could go in.
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Post by horseylady on Mar 23, 2012 10:31:37 GMT
Hi bhopper
First of all I would suggest doing lots of in hand work without rider on board, you need to go back to basics of training a lr pony.
Also may i suggest your little jockey going off to ride other ponies, let her go and have some fun before her confidence is knocked.
Yes in hand classes sounds good.
Also what bit do you have??
If your pony doesn't do it with more experienced riders, they may have steadier hands where as your little jockey may not, and pony is objecting. attach a little strap on your saddle for jockey to hold to keep her hands steady whilst on the lr.
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Post by Em5 on Mar 23, 2012 10:53:28 GMT
A very knowledgable person advised me not to allow older children to school my daughters pony. Their reasoning behind this was that they ride different to young children, and that young children may not give the same clear aids that a bigger rider can So the pony will become .more.confused. I Do still Have an older rider on my pony but purely to exercise with a loose contact on the reins.
I agree with the other comments about the in hand classes. Very good idea.
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Post by bhopper on Mar 23, 2012 10:56:53 GMT
ilovenatives, the pony only started doing lr last season, at the age of 13 not a novice, has done showing with previous owners but mainly workers. He has a wilkie snaffle, best bit we could find and have tried a few and will definitely consider pony club.
rhosyn, she has had quite a bit of experience as she rides the pony at home, then goes for other riding lessons as well. The pony is not a novice but from what we have heard from previous owners has done open classes and workers with more competent jockeys and has never done lr.
sarahp, he is very good with no rider and is good most of the time at home on the lr with rider, main problems are at shows. Have done a bit of in hand with no problems.
horseylady, rider having weekly lessons at another stables and no confidence issues have been raised. He has a wilkie snaffle in, best bit that have tried. Will try a strap to see if the hands are the issue.
Thanks for the help
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Post by ilovenatives on Mar 23, 2012 11:05:16 GMT
Maybe the problem at shows is that he is expecting more excitement than a lead rein class  |
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Post by rubydoo on Mar 31, 2012 12:49:40 GMT
is the pony getting some turnout out ? our leadrein is a perfect pony but if shes not been out for a few days shes a little too forward, especially at this time of year.
inhand classes sound like a good idea too.
my 7 yr old daughter is just out on the lead rein she been riding about 12 months , she is correct in her aids and seat but i do tend to tell her to just sit there at the moment , the pony goes off my voice comands , then she can concentrate on getting a nice trot and her diagonals.
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I am currently experiencing with my pony. Since starting the season he has been going fast to fast (for a lr) in the show ring, pulling and dislodging jockey, but don’t seem to have these problems at home. So obviously the judges and spectators have been commenting. We have had a new saddle fitted, back checked, teeth done etc to eliminate any causes. So was wondering if anybody had any ideas? Also how much do people think a lr jockey should do in the ring in terms of riding? Or should the pony be following the leader?
BUT this is not necessarily what you need from a lead rein jockey. In fact my eight year old used to sulk in LR classes lol. AT the end of the day, I don't care how good anyone thinks their little kid is (including me) -up to the age of say 10, they're only as good as the pony they're sat on.
