Bringing a pony back into work: suggestions

littleladylou

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Ok so the new forest arrived on Monday. She hasn't worked for 3 months and has no muscle. I am not in a great rush to get her out there doing things. My first priority is making sure she enjoys hacking and is safe. I have let her settle in for Mon/Tues and today but am considering doing something with her tomorrow- too soon? She is an accomplished PC pony at 14 but I want to take it slowly. Would I be silly to begin with some lunging and walking her in hand to familiarise her with our area before getting on and schooling/hacking?
 
I think you are right. She has sad all teeth and back checks and is ready to go in that sense. Do you thinking walking in hand initially is a good idea as she isn't that good in traffic (spun at a lorry when I tried her) and we one road to cross that has fairly heavy traffic and buses?
 
Definitely, all you can do to get her going forward in traffic will pay off later, it's all about getting her used to everything and building up a routine to give her that early confidence. If you get horses/ponies into a routine now, the sooner they will accept everything thrown at them.
 
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