KBR Horse Training Information Exercising Body AND Mind

Ponying Green Horses

Issues such as yielding to space and pressure, paying attention to body position relative to the lead horse, paying attention to obstacles, keeping track of footing and getting used to humans being taller than the horse are important to a young horse's development. Once the young horse is handling basic ground schooling and if a steady, trustworthy leader horse is available, ponying can quickly develop very important spatial, coordination and yielding skills.

With this filly we used ponying as a simple and effective bridge between some real basic ground schooling and her first saddling. After a couple of pony outings, we saddled Starfyre and having a rider on board in the saddle was literally a ho-hum event. Prior to the pony work I don't believe she would have tolerated the pressure and presence of a rider without feeling the need to leave due to the stress it would have created.

The presence of Prints helps make this new situation comfortable to Starfyre. She is alert and curious and therefore ready to learn.

Once she is walking relaxed and has established a comfortable position, we start navigating simple obstacles.

Soon we start adding more difficult obstacles. We want to increase the applied stress, but not apply more than she can comfortably handle.

We'll then add other dimensions such as scaling the slopes and steps on the footing mound.

Starfyre needs to be able to collect herself and not race down the mound. She has to also consider her position in relation to Prints.

On the narrow bridge, she has to think about her feet and adjust her position in order to successfully take the obstacle.

She also needs to yield to the pressure of Prints turning in towards her. She needs to think about her position as well as where her feet are going.

As this photo shows, these activities don't have to be stressful. Learning can be stimulating and she can remain relatively relaxed.

Important Note: If you take on the project of developing an untrained horse, everybody will want to give you advice. Don't act on any advice, including the ideas offered in this site, unless it makes sense to you and fits your individual situation. Your abilities and the sensitivities of your horse(s) may differ from the examples given. Be alert and rational with your actions so neither you nor your horse will get hurt. This information is offered as illustrations of what we do and the reader must apply common sense since he or she is solely responsible for his or her actions.