SEL
Well-Known Member
Unbalanced child and unbalanced pony are not a match made in heaven, but without going into detail on a public forum that's what the situation is. Pony is actually well behaved, but very green and has a tendency to rush and is built downhill anyway. Child balances between standing in her stirrups and hanging onto the reins - so pony ducks head down, pulls against the contact and rushes more.
Lunging not an option because whoever taught the pony to lunge originally made it do wall of death galloping and breaking that habit is work in progress.
Any exercises I can do (in walk!) to try and get the child to sit back and learn to ride from her seat rather than hanging onto the reins? I'm not an instructor and right now the parents don't have the funds for lessons on a sensible riding school pony who would ignore a wobbly child.
Lunging not an option because whoever taught the pony to lunge originally made it do wall of death galloping and breaking that habit is work in progress.
Any exercises I can do (in walk!) to try and get the child to sit back and learn to ride from her seat rather than hanging onto the reins? I'm not an instructor and right now the parents don't have the funds for lessons on a sensible riding school pony who would ignore a wobbly child.