Loose schooling with a 4yr old - ideas?

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RuthM

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4 yr old child that is! No, seriously, keep reading.

I've pulled my daughter off riding the pony we were kindly given access to. It's for a variety of reasons, not least of which was that she was getting bored being a passenger and not really ready to move on with riding.

Last week we did a groundwork session instead. The pony is an old softy and we worked with him on the lead rope. Munchkin was more engaged than she has ever been because she was armed with carrots for reward, leading forward, halting, turning, back, and moving quarters over. Pony was ecstatic, mooching about obediently and being frequently given carrots! Munchkin was full on learning about horses, how to work them, what makes them tick, they way they respond to pressure, where to stand, how to use her voice, everything and I suspect, stood on the ground she had the riding lesson of a lifetime.

I think, because the pony is older and does a fair amount on auto pilot we could repeat the above loose, moving off, halt, back, and quarters across. I don't think keeping Ned's interest will be hard as I use rewards and I'd like to start introduce my old groundwork reward - smell (an old sock with sticky feed in it, smell for occasional reward, feed released and given in bucket at the end). I don't want to do hand given edibles for long due to nipping risk - that's not fair on Ned or owners, he does not currently nip.

I want to keep any session in walk and would love ideas for variety in addition to the above.

BTW, I keep Munchkin close - very safety conscious.
 
There's not a great deal of momentum involved and I wouldn't be willing to put it there, however, perhaps that's just me thinking in set ways. Until now loose schooling has always been an active and athletic event, always did some close work but the rest was fairly 'onward bound' - this needs to be a little different, a little more tailored.

Walking over a trot pole is absolutely possible (hopefully - 'cos I ain't chasing this chap!). Anything else I could add in?

When I pick this pony's feet 'groom's style' it's so predictable he has the next foot ready and waiting. I'm teaching Munchkin with fronts, letting the horse know you're there, running hand down etc and pop, up comes foot!

It's mental stimulation for an older clever chap rather than anything exercise orientated. I thought about training him to the mounting block, he's a smarty pants and definitely wise in how to stand just wrong but a little groundwork without the actual mount my be quite a cool thing to do.

I want the pony to have a lush, easy time. I want Munchkin to see how smart horses are and learn to use her voice and body to command a loving respect via kindness. I just get the feeling this is an old pony that can learn new tricks, he's got a really clever way about him!
 
CrazyMare said:
An S bend of poles on the floor - walk through without touching, then learn to back up without touching them?
Click to expand...

Ooooo - like! Reversing bit sounds like it'd be an ace mini project, 1 pole, 2 pole, 3 pole.... All round eductation for Munch too, horses, (reversing) driving and towing!:eek::D
 
Should also have added walking over (well secured) tarpaulin, standing in the middle of tarpaulin. Draw a big circle and 'park' pony in the middle, and walk away - will it stay?
 
CrazyMare said:
Should also have added walking over (well secured) tarpaulin, standing in the middle of tarpaulin. Draw a big circle and 'park' pony in the middle, and walk away - will it stay?
Click to expand...

PMSL! When I read that I imagined asking Munchkin the final 'will he stay?' - then my brain revolted and imagined her asking for glue!

You know what? - I have never tried to teach a horse to stay. I've taught waiting at an open stable door - ie, manners, but never without a shed load of environmental prompt. I'm curious.
 
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