KBR Horse Training Information

Exercising Body AND Mind

Ponying Green Horses
Part Two; Getting Started
In the case of horses that are afraid to be near horses with riders and horses that haven't been handled much some basic orientation and safety principles should be observed.

  • Pony off of an experienced horse

    Be sure your saddle horse is used to the sudden load caused by a balky pony horse. Also the saddle horse shouldn't have problems with being followed closely or make menacing gestures towards the horse being ponied.

  • Don't dally the lead

    Dallying the lead to the saddle horn can cause a disaster if the ponied horse panics and bolts, especially if he bolts in a way that causes the lead to cross over the rear of your horse and rip you out of the saddle. Bunch up excess rope in your hand and tuck your hand tight against your leg.

  • Remove any finger rings and wear gloves.

    Rings can cut your finger if a rope suddenly gets tight.

  • Never ever allow the rope to loop around your hand.

    If the ponied horse bolts the loop could suck tight around your hand and yank you off your horse or much worse!

  • If the ponied horse stalls out, turn toward him

    Don't engage in a pulling contest. If the horse being ponied gets "stuck" turn toward him, walk past him and draw him around to follow you. Then return to your original direction.

  • If all Hell breaks loose, let go!

    Don't make a bad situation worse. If the ponied horse panics, let him go. Take up the lead and resume where you left off after he regains his composure.

  • Keep it simple, keep it sensible and keep it safe

    There is no reason for any human or animal to get hurt in this exercise.

Handler walking alongside the saddle horse
Handing the lead to the rider while walking
Handler still walking alongside
Pony horse starting out on her own (head high)
Pony horse getting solid on her own

Once the ponied horse is relaxed and looking where she is going we can start asking her to navigate simple obstacles.
Weaving cones and other objects
Moving up to trot speed
Leading through cavaletti lanes

Once the horse is working reliably and comfortably in the arena we'll move to the horse course.

Thanks to Suzi Kicker and Sassy for being handler and horse for this feature.

Continue to
Ranger's Freewheeling Adventure

Return to Part One

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.

Happy trails!

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KBR Horse Training Information, © 1997 Lamm's Kickin' Back Ranch and Willis & Sharon Lamm. All rights reserved. Duplication of any of this material for commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. This prohibition is not intended to extend to personal non-commercial use, including sharing with others for safety and learning purposes, provided this copyright notice is attached.
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