Help with a strong, fast pony

H

HB93

New User
Joined
11 August 2017
Messages
2
Visit site
I have a 14.2 8 year old Connie pony who I have owned for 5 years. We used to be absolutely fine despite him being very fast we did quite well at showjumping and hunter trials/cross country. Unfortunately last year I lost my nerve a bit and started riding less, only really focussing on hacking and now he seems faster than ever as soon as there is a jump in the vicinity!
I love jumping but can't bear the fight anymore.
I think two points going against me are that I don't do enough flat work and I ride in a snaffle.
I'm thinking of firstly getting a stronger bit, and working on flat, or if that does not work then sending him off for schooling - my question is,, can anyone recommend a good bit for a strong/fast pony who just wants to gallop? I don't want to overbit him/go to harsh but a snaffle is clearly not strong enough.
 
I'm sure you already know that a good instructor will be invaluable, as they can see exactly what is happening on the ground but in addition, try a bit with 2 reins, so a Pelham or Universal, or other type of gag, where you can ride mainly on the snaffle rein and bring the curb rein into play when you need to do so.
 
As above, but you could also try putting up some small fences at random in your schooling area and just trotting round, turning away from the fence if you can feel the pony getting stronger, and wait until he is calm and going at your pace before popping over, do a series of small circles, larger circles, figures of 8, and going past the fences sometimes. Practice a few times like this and see if it makes a difference. You can use just poles on the ground to start with.
 
Please don't be offended when I say, from what you've written, that this doesn't sound so much a pony issue but more a rider confidence one...

Agree with Orangehorse but would also suggest working on your own confidence (or adjusting your expectations if you feel there are good reasons this is a permanent change for you).

Doesn't sound as though a new bit is really what is needed after 5yrs tbh. Anything else that gives you confidence would be good too!
 
I have a pocket rocket like this, who after three years of ownership has just got faster as she has matured, got fitter and more confident. I too use a universal, with a KK mouthpiece, which gives great versatility - I have used all the options. However, this summer I sent my mare away for a few weeks for professional schooling which made a huge difference. During that time she did two ODE and did really well. I have a jumping lesson once a fortnight and the key to keeping her sensible seems to be giving her something to think about on a regular basis. She was noticeably calmer in the school after the competing in the summer, and the regular jumping lessons seem to be just enough to take the edge off. I do school on the flat and have fortnightly lessons for that too, but even my instructor has to admit my mare doesn't really like it - she can't see the point unless there's a jump involved!
 
GirlFriday said:
Please don't be offended when I say, from what you've written, that this doesn't sound so much a pony issue but more a rider confidence one...

Agree with Orangehorse but would also suggest working on your own confidence (or adjusting your expectations if you feel there are good reasons this is a permanent change for you).

Doesn't sound as though a new bit is really what is needed after 5yrs tbh. Anything else that gives you confidence would be good too!
Click to expand...

But if a stronger bit, even something like a two rein pelham, gives OP the confidence to ride more assertively does it actually matter if they're just on the snaffle rein ? Having that leverage there may give them the confidence to be a bit braver, even if they don't use it :) That said, obviously work on getting pony responsive on the flat and around poles in a confined safe arena with an instructor first.
 
He sounds exactly like my Welshie. I ride Max in a universal Waterford as the mouthpiece stops him grabbing hold quite so much and then I am able to use it on the snaffle if he's going well or drop the reins down if he's being a bit of a pig. In my experience, it is just persistence coupled with a good instructor. Like others have said, get him used to jumps being in the school without necessarily using them. And I'd say perhaps even go back to basics. I built up my confidence on Max by going on a 20m circle, cantering half of it and bringing him back to trot and then progressing that way. I rode Max in a Pelham with a high port and he hated it (and that is a really strong bit), so it's about finding a bit that your horse accepts and likes, as well as building your own confidence.
 
It depends on what the pony is doing - is the head going up or down? There's no point sticking him in a gag if he evades by putting his head up for example.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top