Breaking In A Pony

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Sarah95

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My 3year old is halter broken and now ready to start work. How much ground work would be advised e.g. lunging ? before breaking him in. Any personal experiences?
 
I start longlining and in hand hacking with mine at 2 - I like them to get used to all the voice aids etc before getting on. I also like them to experience a bit of the world with me on the ground for reassurance - they seem to be less spooky under the saddle this way...
 
Personally I wouldn't lunge too much as it's not good for a young developing horse. As for the amount of time it's relative to each horse/pony, depending on how well you know them. I worked my mare for about a month but she was so bold that's all she needed, some horses take more, some less.
Just make sure you have a good, experienced helper - have you backed a horse before?
 
^ agree about not lunging a baby. When I broke my pony in last year I first walked him out in hand everywhere around the farm so he could get used to traffic ect. in a controlled environment and learn what walk, trot and halt meant. I then introdued him to some loose side reins, repeated walking out around farm and then took him out around the country lanes.

Once he got the hang of that I long lined him around the farm and in the schooling field, introducing basi school movements like large circle, changes of rein and of course transitions. That all took about 3 weeks.

Then as well as lots of long reining around farm (took hi out on road couple times as well but with walker at his head just in case) I would lean over him at the end of the session. Did that for another week.

Then I got someone to lead him up the road with me leant over his back, repeated this for another week and then got on him properly. First week being led by helper and then out on his own.

I know some people will have a horse broken in, schooling and jumping in four weeks but I hate rushing youngsters. At 8 weeks I had a pony that was practically bomb proof, angel on the road and was begining to find his own balance in preparation for baby schooling. He went on to be the most perfect little pony and found a very nice home with the first people who came to see him.

He was my first pony that I had broken in completely by myself, but I had done it many times at a former job with help from boss. If you havn't got a lot of experience breaking in I would get someone to help you because you really do make or break a horse in is first 12 weeks.

Good luck :)
 
I think generally the level of wear and tear on joints is greater in circles than straight lines? We did lunge a bit to introduce tack etc but once on board stopeed lunging. Will start again after Christmas when he will be rising 5.
 
As others have said, I think its entirely dependant on the said horse/pony. For some it could be months of long reining, lunging and general groundwork for some alot less. I bought a 12hh pony to break and back, and after spending a couple of weeks in the school getting him comfortable in my company on the ground and gaining trust, we popped him on the lunge (which it took a fair while for him to understand the concept of!), but he was so chilled I ended up just leaning over him, and in the same session I was walking him around.... it really is dependant on the beast and I personally think you should take each day as it comes rather than create a regimented plan of what you think you should be doing :)
 
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