kp
Junior Member
Posts: 133
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Post by kp on Sept 10, 2012 9:38:36 GMT
my son is coming of the lead rein and whilst out on hacks our pony is constantly trying for a cheeky nibble of the grass. by the end of the hack our son is finding it hard to pull her head back up. He is 5. Any suggestions before he loses his patience? Thank you x
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Post by bethanyy on Sept 10, 2012 9:39:13 GMT
Grass or daisy reins?
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Post by glorybe100 on Sept 10, 2012 9:43:44 GMT
Grass reins, i remember (years ago now!!!) they could be made out of bailer twine!!!!
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kp
Junior Member
Posts: 133
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Post by kp on Sept 10, 2012 9:45:42 GMT
we currently use grass reins but they pull the saddle up her neck when she puts her head down x
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Post by sjw87 on Sept 10, 2012 9:50:59 GMT
I've known people to use a fishing net - take it off the stick and use a shoelace threaded through the top to attach it to the noseband. It doesn't stop the pony putting it's head down but it does stop it being able to get grass when it does and in most cases the pony gives up trying as it's not rewarded by grass.
Sent from my ST18i using proboards
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Post by bethanyy on Sept 10, 2012 9:51:31 GMT
Could you not lead the pony on a rope then when she does put her head down you have the strength to pull her back up immediately?
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kp
Junior Member
Posts: 133
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Post by kp on Sept 10, 2012 9:58:58 GMT
he has just came off the lead rein and wants to do it all himself!! she tends not to do it if i am leading her. think she knows she can get away with it when she is off the lead x
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Post by lulah on Sept 10, 2012 10:06:42 GMT
grass reins and a crupper?
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Post by bethanyy on Sept 10, 2012 10:36:58 GMT
grass reins and a crupper? Ahh yes brilliant idea! Completely forgot about a crupper, that will stop her putting her head down and also stop the saddle slipping up her neck!  |
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kp
Junior Member
Posts: 133
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Post by kp on Sept 10, 2012 11:11:46 GMT
thanks for all your help - will get a crupper x
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reb
Junior Member
Posts: 123
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Post by reb on Sept 10, 2012 12:15:12 GMT
Be careful with the crupper - maybe lunge pony in it first before child gets on. We had a pony once that bolted whenever you put a crupper on her.
If grass reins and crupper don't work then try a length of baler twine from D ring, through bit rings and back to opposite D ring. Make it slightly loose when pony is holding head politely but so it tightens if pony pulls.
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Post by nici on Sept 10, 2012 22:24:51 GMT
Yup. Been there, had to deal with this. Naughty Shetlands make it a speciality with little ones on board - lost count of the times Cerys rolled forwards down Bridget's neck to the ground Fortunately from 34" it wasn't too far to roll and she never hurt herself. Grass reins (or baling twine if you're not bothered about appearances) are definitely the answer, with crupper if needed to keep the saddle in place. Ponies soon learn that they can get away with this little trick with a little one on board, so the only way to stop it is for them to learn that they can't get away with it, however small the jockey. Little jockeys don't have the strength to stop it, grass reins or daisy reins are the only answer. Good luck, and well done you for letting your little one go solo - I'm convinced they enjoy riding far more off the lead (as long as naughty pony tricks are stopped!) and gain enthusiasm as well as experience from riding solo. It definitely worked for Cerys - she was getting bored with riding having to go everywhere at mummyspeed, but had far more fun when she could go solo and start having games, races and fun with her friends and their ponies! |
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Post by lulah on Sept 13, 2012 11:02:04 GMT
grass reins and a crupper? Ahh yes brilliant idea! Completely forgot about a crupper, that will stop her putting her head down and also stop the saddle slipping up her neck! Thank you, ive had my fair share of cheeky little ponies !!!! just make sure you de-sensitize the pony with the crupper on the lunge first. good luck  |
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Post by Kaseyleigh on Sept 13, 2012 12:47:23 GMT
Grass reins and crupper but make sure you check you make sure ponies ok with the crupper then when the pony goes to put its head done give it a smack on the backside do that for a month then take the rein off and see if any improvement.
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