SatansLittleHelper
Well-Known Member
Took friends pony for a short ride this morning to friends house as we had decided to bath her etc and we don't have a hose at the field.
Pony can't be a little nappy at times but doesn't "do" anything, just plants herself and says no thanks lol.
Anyhow I've found that a tap from the whip to back up my leg does the trick and off we go. She is a bit "looky" as very green but not fazed by much...she copes with alsorts of very large vehicles such as tractors, coaches, rattly trailers and so on but on the whole a very pleasant young lady who just needs to see the world. If she stops to look at something I usually allow her the time to realise it's fine etc and then push on.
Today I had to take her over a bridge crossing a dual carriageway. It's a road sized bridge with two lanes of traffic. She planted and wouldn't move on. I circled her and tried again but she tried to back up a few steps. After a few minutes of this I got off and led her over...she went on ok but was tense walking over. Once the other side I got back on and continued to where we were headed without much bother. A different friend has berated me saying I should have made her go on and that dismounting has taught her she can get away with being silly.
I'm now questioning my actions? My feelings on this mare are that she hasn't seen much and lacks confidence, I never feel a battle is the answer in that case as they lose trust in you? Was I wrong??
Pony can't be a little nappy at times but doesn't "do" anything, just plants herself and says no thanks lol.
Anyhow I've found that a tap from the whip to back up my leg does the trick and off we go. She is a bit "looky" as very green but not fazed by much...she copes with alsorts of very large vehicles such as tractors, coaches, rattly trailers and so on but on the whole a very pleasant young lady who just needs to see the world. If she stops to look at something I usually allow her the time to realise it's fine etc and then push on.
Today I had to take her over a bridge crossing a dual carriageway. It's a road sized bridge with two lanes of traffic. She planted and wouldn't move on. I circled her and tried again but she tried to back up a few steps. After a few minutes of this I got off and led her over...she went on ok but was tense walking over. Once the other side I got back on and continued to where we were headed without much bother. A different friend has berated me saying I should have made her go on and that dismounting has taught her she can get away with being silly.
I'm now questioning my actions? My feelings on this mare are that she hasn't seen much and lacks confidence, I never feel a battle is the answer in that case as they lose trust in you? Was I wrong??