Help! Pony is super sensitive to leg!!

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summersmummy

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Hi all, I bought a 14hh cob a few months back, shes lovely but is SO sensitive to any leg and is making it really difficult to do any schooling with her. I think her previous owner could have been quite young and just went everywhere at top speed!
Is there anything I can do to de-sensitize her?
 
Sit still? Only kidding - this is a positive, although it can be a bit unnerving. Just try to be a quiet rider and when your pony shoots forward bring her back gently..you don't want to lose her being brisk off your leg..just contain it..so always allow her to go forward when you ask, then ask for collection..she will settle eventually
 
Yes I had a cob just the same. He was very fizzy and fast. I kept my schooling very quiet, only walk and trotting, and lots of half holts, keeping my leg on but only squizing when I wanted more impulsion. He got the idea and after a few months was so light and responsive yet my leg was on all the time.. just needed re-educating..
 
Id try lungeing her. With a saddle on and some light weight stirrups dangling at her side. Then when she was used to those, Id tie wellies on instead! Hopefully that would make her a little less-surprised when you put your leg on her.
 
I guess it depends HOW sensitive she is as to whether it's YOU who needs to learn to sit quieter, HER who needs to learn to be a bit desensitised or a combination of the both...

If she's really too sharp then it would suggest she's a little fearful of the leg - you need to try to desensitise her. I'd do this lunging with stirrups flapping lose plus getting someone to lunge you on her whilst you move you legs all around (i.e. sliding them forwards & backwards as far as you can). If you think she'll be frightened of the movement, take that a step back & sit quietly on her at halt whilst someone else strokes her side aound where your legs would go, progressing to you doing it with your legs at stand, progressing to doing it at w then t, then c.

The other approach is looking at adjusting your riding, but to bear in mind that you DO need to be able to apply your legs to a certain extent - it's very hard to do any quality flatwork/dressage if you're having to be too subtle with her.
 
Probably not to de-sensitize her, you could end up just making her worse.

I ride an arab that is also super sensitive with the leg and hand, which was difficult at first but I soon learnt how to deal with it. I find she settles and works best when i'm completely relaxed and sitting deep, with a really light rein. If my bodys tense even if I haven't got my leg on, she responds by going forward.

So when schoolong I do lots of 10-15 mtr circles in walk and sitting trot and/or rising trot. For example if she quickens in trot, to regain rythmn I either have to sit deeper (heavier if you will) in sitting trot or rise slower in rising trot to bring her back. Eventually you get it off to a fine art, and we are working really well together now. Patience is the key.

Good Luck!
 
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