getting a pony to bend??

[missyme10]

Just looking for ideas.

A pony I am riding has no bend in it at all.

It is ridden on a regular basis, it doesn't lunge, just keeps coming back to the person in the middle, naps at people, doesn't go across poles, generally doesn't do anything thinking about it !

I will be doing carrot stretches daily, this will help.
I will also be schooling on a regualar basis, this again will help.
Are there any particular exercises I can do in the saddle to help her along?

Working from the ground really isn't an option, this pony was lead reign only for year and half, and it took a lot of work to get her to go forward without a human or equine leader, so to go back to leading her could un do all the work put into her already. I think in hand on conjunction with riding her could work, as long as I dont give up the riding.

She is physically sound and been checked so there is no physical problem causing this. I think it is really to do with her being on the lead rope for so long and just walking all the time.

Thanks xxx

 

[Sags_Deer]

I should think a few lessons with an instructor to help you in the right direction will help. Re the lunging bit - you need to go back to basics and use body language. As far as the bending bit, go right back to basics with this and slow trot work to encourage pony to take the contact from you before you worry about bending (bear in mind horses dont have much bend in their body withers back, their necks are the most flexible part of their body). Imagine someone is flying above you and you need everything to be equal.

 

[dianchi]

I would have lessons with a instructor that can help with correct ground work, long reining, lunging its very benefical and you should stick at it!
Good luck!

 

[Annagain]

I had the same problem with my horse - an ex hunter who had only ever gone in straight lines. I found a brilliant instructor who really helped. It took a while but we got there in the end. Go onto a 20m circle and ask for inside bend. Bring your inside hand out and keep it there. No matter what the horse does keep the pressure constant and even, don't change anything. Don't pull but resist the horse pulling you. As soon as the horse gives a little push your hand forward immediately and even pat her to reward her. To begin with as soon as you give the rein she will probably lose the bend again so you just start again until you get it and slowly she will start to keep it once you've given. You need plenty of inside leg so that she doesn't just turn her whole body and depending on what she does you need to control the speed with the outside hand - my boy would go faster as soon as I gave with the rein so I really needed to keep the outside rein. It doesn't matter if the circle ends up a bit smaller as long as the horse can cope with it, and don't forget to change the rein frequently so you develop both sides equally and avoid too much pressure on one rein. It's a really slow process but it gets you there. We spent 3 weeks in walk and another 2 months in walk/trot. Strangely, the canter took about 20 minutes but I think the ground work I'd done in walk/trot paid dividends in the canter.