Re: [RC] ponying--do they learn anything? - Karen Sullivan
I'm going to offer a few other opinions since I have done tons and tons of
ponying of young and new horses over the years. I won't go into all the
benefits of ponying since everyone else has, other than to say I would prefer to
never ride a green horse out on the trail for the first time (that has never
been there before).
For me, I'm not sure a month would be enough for me....but depends on your
level of comfort on this horse.
When ponying, I vary length of ride, speed, terrain, what is on the horse
(noisy stuff), group riding and traffic riding. I also believe that going
out into the world at a young age teaches balance and
sure-footedness.....and what NOT to do, before ever dealing with a rider.
It also builds confidence.
BUT, what I have noticed is a huge difference between the horses just
ponied and the ones you let just follow loose. I have said this
before...when they are loose they have to make own decisions on where to put
feet, how to cross creeks, how to learn to lag behind and catch up
(separation), etc. When ponied, the horse ponied is buddied up to a
friend, NOT in front, and I have found they really tend to zone out.
Then again, it depends on the horse. I have had some that don't need
more "freedom" to make those choices, but need to really have their lives
directed as they think they are hot stuff.
My coming 5 year old has been on the trail since 6 mos, both ponied and
loose. She is fine with separation and will often stay back to graze then
run to catch up...and even go in font. She has seen everything on the trail you
can imagine, and is also very, very laid back.
RIDING her this past year is different! When put in front, EVERYTHING
gets inspected and is a potantial spooky!
It's a lot different when they are the one leading!
But I also do a lot of ponying the first half of a ride, to get the horse
relaxed and ya ya's out...then a rider getting on.....sure makes more sense than
hopping right on a fresh green horse!
Hi all...been ponying my new mare out on the trail. SHe's pretty
good...doesn't spook, stays at my knee unless single track then follows. Even
have gone out with a few other horses that "acted up" and she remained calm.
She's a lookie loo but no spooks or balks. This is the mare that is totally
green on the trail but has arena experience.
I'm thinking of riding her out today with a calm babysitter gelding
she knows. Will the ponying experience "transfer" to me riding? I don't want
to push her too fast...but I have been working with her a month and think it
is time.
I'm wondering what ponying teaches them. I'm hoping it doesn't teach them
to just blindly follow another horse.
