Lead rein that just won't stand still!!!!

[sarahp]

At the risk of sounding silly - if you think he's trying to get near you would it help if you stood nearer to him in the line up? Or is that not the done thing in a LR class, not my area? I know my old D mare would shuffle closer to me in lessons with my daughter on top, and I have to hide from mine at shows if being shown by someone else (which is always now) so as not to distract them from what they are doing. I'm basically a one woman band here so they are used to only me dealing with them.

You could try training him at home on the LR to stand motionless at a distance from you, first for a very short time, then move in to him with lots of praise, and gradually increasing the time you ask him to stand still like that. And train him to do that to a specific command. If he moves, put him back exactly where he was before he moved, expect him to stand again, being happy with a short time, then praise. If me I'd do it without jockey to start with so as not to bore him/her to death! The work needs doing at home, it's not something you can solve in the ring itself.

[tillyfloss]

Had very similar experience with our welsh a LR...fidget bridget in the line up, swingy bottom. Yet at home didn't bother, also at the start of the season was nippy when he was anxious/ nervous...many bruises and sores later (still have the scars) and he was only 4 and not from a great background. So to prevent any further hurting I stood at his shoulder and scratched his withers with the show cane - metal end when he was behaving, took away the scratch when he fidgeted. He cottoned on quick to this and then transferred the scratching to be carried out by my daughter, and she used to sing to him...aawwwhh quietly which allowed me to stand at a further distance. I accepted that his nervousness created a nippy fidgety boy who just needed reassurance in unfamiliar surroundings. He is the type that is outwardly brave and not bothered by anything generally and would tend to fight rather than flight... but obviously still a baby and his teeth were coming through. By the end of the season I had a compassionate jockey who could read him and be ready for him....she was only 6..hope it helps.

[madmichelled]

my welsh a was same he used to be great stood outside ring and jumping collecting rings any other ring other than in show one !! we put it down to his nerves asfinally as a 8 and 9 year old he stands like a rock ! seemed also got more laid back as children got older and they were more experienced with no nerves too, helped we used rescue remedy on him in early days about 10 mins before going in ring and i used it too and it seemed to help ... as first ridden he at first used to try to shuffle very slowy back to fence with his bum as if to stop anything going behind him but now ok but daughter spends most time gently stroking his neck whispering to him . we tried lunging didnt help think was combination of his nerves and our nerves/exitement/anticipation as he used to really get tight if we won and fidgit waiting for rossette/lap of honour , used to very sneaky tiny nips too but also sometimes would put his nose into my neck close eyes and seem to breath deeply for few mins . good luck as know can be frustrating and cost you places in line up mine won and started to figit whilst judge calling in other places and was promptly dropped to out of line up judge just told me the figiting was reason which was fair enough

[madmichelled]

rescue remedy is bachs flowers has touch of brandy in it also!! can get it from chemists off shelf in spray or drop form the spray is easier as can spray onto gums or drops just tip bout table spoon ful in hand and let pony lick off they seem to like it , for us couple of sprays or drops dont wonders for me let alone pony lol!!!! im lucky just coming out of lr with my little boy his pony so laid back and he is so easier but daughters pony dandy was nightmare !! speacially as 4yo good luck gets better and honest does get more relaxing espeacially if on last show as lead rein!!!! then us mums are nervous wrecks outside the ring when they go 1st ridden or jumping ...... why do we do it still asking myself that one!!!!

[catkin]

apart from the above advice. I would also try to get the rider (however little) to exert their influence on the pony. If the pony is listening to them as well as you, this should really help. Good luck

[lolalou]

Are you able to do LR Pony Club events or training clinics where you are able to stand around in between with others ponies similar to a show. Just a thought, when my daughter was small our PC had a large group of LR's it was just good fun and practise for all.

[hedgehopper]

Would suggest that you find his scratching spot,usually somewhere near the base of the neck,and scratch quietly until his top lip starts getting longer!

[timmytwoshoes]

I had the same problem with my hack fidgeting in the line-up and was given advice to give him Rock Rose just before going in the ring. Competed at top level with him and never had the problem again. 20 years on! we have an M&M lead rein who has the same nervous anxious(ness) in the ring, he will stand but needs to be close to me in the line-up so we tried the Rock Rose again - did the trick. Pony has become brave enough to do FR classes with the Rock Rose. It can be purchased from Ainsworths in a tiny pill form which dissolves in the mouth or in drops - think it costs about £9.00 - but certainly worth it!! I don't go showing without my little bottle.

[sometime]

A bit more drastic and expensive send him away to be broken to drive they are taught to stand regardless of what is going on and it will give the pony another career when he is outgrown

[timmytwoshoes]

I literally have the little pills in the basket and just before we walk into the ring when I am checking daughter's number and making sure we are 'perfect' I pop 3 on my hand let him snuffle them up put my gloves on, then in we go. With the hack I used to ask my mother to give him 3 just before we walked in the ring. A friend also had a problem with her riding horse at the beginning of last season, she is normally on her own so she gives her horse 3 pills before she mounts at the lorry to walk down to the ring. I have always given 3, as 1 may fall out of the mouth before melting, 1 may fall off my hand - so at least I can rely on 1 getting into the system - good luck.. I have told you and all the HG clan my secret weapon, I have only ever told 1 person previously - but I can understand your frustration!!

You may have to telephone Ainsworths as I don't think they list the rock rose in the dissolving pills online - I had a very helpful lady who understood exactly what I wanted.

[jump4joy]

Go to a local show or PC rally ( where if it goes pear shaped knowone will really notice) Everytime he tries to get near you give him a prepared treat 'a hollowed out small piece of carrot filled with a bit of dry mustard' ;-) unfortunately whatever loving relationship you thought you had will end! :-)

[katealice89]

I had a fidget bum lr pony .... Only thing that stopped her were polos in my glove so she could smell them but not get them
... She wpuld just play with my hand then and jockey could relax all reins till our turn xx

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