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Post by lollipop on Jan 27, 2010 22:33:22 GMT
Hi, our 5 yr old pony on the whole has been a saint. However, he is a very sturdy / strong built native and normally goes well for his FYFR rider but on rare occasions he sets his neck and doesnt listen to a child aids to slow down , he also finds turning circles quite difficult as he is harder to flex his neck . Can anyone recommend schooling techniques to help ( i have older child to put on) THanks
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Post by sageandonion on Jan 29, 2010 19:36:59 GMT
I do not have little ponies but as no one else has replied yet, I shall try to give my thoughts for what they are worth. As your pony is well behaved most of the time, is there any rhyme of reason why he does this. Any connecting factors, think hard, everything needs to be counted even down to has he just been shod etc?
Obviously get all the physical stuff double checked and if he were mine I would try to find an instructor who is small enough to school but who is experienced with children's ponies and will then be able to give the child who is to ride some lessons. He/She might also give you some lessons on how to help lunging, long reining, etc.
Older children, whilst obviously more capable, don't yet have the experience and ability to pick up schooling issues and possible physical muscle tightness. The best way to losen tight muscles is by bending (correctly), circling and lateral exercises and, at least at this very early stage, I would want to have someone who knows exactly what they are doing start that off for you.
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Post by applepie on Jan 29, 2010 19:47:31 GMT
Does he go better for the older child? - or does he do the same- maybe he has found by not flexing properly, he can get away with ' naughty behaviour', some ponies will take advantage, personally I would go back to basics and long rein him, teach him voice commands. But he may just be taking advantage and could do with time with an older rider who is capeable of sorting him out, just my opinion.
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Post by Jessica on Jan 29, 2010 22:39:25 GMT
We have a welshie that has quite a "big" front. The lady that broke him make sure she did loads of longreining in a bitting bit to soften his mouth, longreining him through cones etc to get the flexion. He has come back very soft and working well, so it may well be worth doing this!
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Post by lollipop on Jan 30, 2010 18:15:42 GMT
Thanks for your replies - to be fair to the pony he was professionaly broken off the lead rein but has spent the last 2 seasons as a lead rein pony , ridden off the LR at home by younger child and occasionaly sat on by instructor or older child.
My older child has never had a problem with anything so asks. He is definately not as flexible through his neck which is something that is becoming clear now only ridden off. His young rider is not very strong and doesnt ask very hard so maybe it is case of going back to basics, long reigning and get my instructor back on ;D
Health wise he has been checked over by back person / physio & doesnt have tightness in neck but very strong / big fronted etc and has leant on hands in the past .
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Post by sageandonion on Jan 30, 2010 18:58:00 GMT
lollipop, just a thought, if he has been in a wilkie, get him out of it asap. Just what you are describing to me I have seen with my larger native, totally caused by a wilkie.
I think some schooling sessions with your instructor would pay dividends if he has started to lean as that will be so very uncomfortable for your little girl. It is a habit they fall into easily and as he has a large front, he will be very happy to let someone else carry it for him!
I would ensure your instructor is the sort who prefers to push them on to carry themselves rather than have the head in and looking pretty, if you understand what I mean.
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Post by lollipop on Jan 30, 2010 20:49:23 GMT
Thanks he was in a wilkie for shows, abbey full cheek at home. However since just putting him in Neue Schule eggbutt snaffle with lozenge at home & NS beval for shows he hasnt leant at all. Our instructor is excellent ( dressage / jumping/ side saddle) so works them correctly we just have sadly not been able to have many lessons recentley due to bad weather
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Post by sageandonion on Jan 30, 2010 21:38:25 GMT
Yes, same for us all. Still doesn't take a good instructor long to sort these things I find whereas we can go round in circles on our own. Love to see a pic of your pony and little girl when you get things sorted.
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Post by lollipop on Jan 31, 2010 10:32:51 GMT
Yes, same for us all. Still doesn't take a good instructor long to sort these things I find whereas we can go round in circles on our own. Love to see a pic of your pony and little girl when you get things sorted. sent you photo
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Post by sageandonion on Jan 31, 2010 10:55:39 GMT
lollipop's pony is a little stunner! definitely well worth investing a little professional schooling in.
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Post by brookhouse on Feb 1, 2010 20:44:45 GMT
hi had the same problem, so for a few weeks we went in the school and only walked and troted lots of tranisitons 4 strides walk 6 trot then 8 walk 12 trot 8 walk 12 trot then back down, then they are waiting to go down instead of up and it deff works as all my pony wanted to do was canter .try different bits too but not stronger just differnt actions lots of schooling
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Post by ponymum on Feb 2, 2010 13:17:19 GMT
The other thing worth bearing in mind is, a lr does a lot more work on the right rein, which may be why he find s it hard to flex....ensure you go back to long reining and lungeing equally ...x
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Post by lollipop on Feb 6, 2010 21:30:34 GMT
Thanks - he is definately worst on left rein which may be due to continual lead rein. My instructor rode him today in a lesson and was an angel so obviously any problems are restricted to my young rider and his taking advantage
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