making a pony more forward thinking?

[immybrookstud]

i saw a lovely rising 4yo gelding today has a fantastic laid back temp, he as had 4 months off, an was backed last year as 3yo walk trot and canter. what schooling would help to make him a bit more forward thinking and off the leg, he is only a baby so wouldnt want to ask to much from him.

would i be taking on to much with a 4yo after having 2yrs off riding. i'm really confused, i dont think i would find something of his nature and he has been given a lovely start in life, i cant see me finding anything like him a few years older in my price range help

 

[BarmyC]

transistions transistions transistions.

Well thats what i use. Lots of them in short succession walk 4 strides stand walk trot standand so on keep him thinking about what is going to come next and keep it so he doesnt know..

After a few sessions you will find that he is more responsive to you and you can then start doing other things.

I always start my schooling off with this to get them listening to me and switched on it seems to work for me

 

[only_me]

ride with two sticks and when you squeeze with your legs, if he dosent respond then hit him with sticks and keep squeezing once and then the stick so that he walks on, till he gets the idea that when legs go on he has to move forward!

i also second transitions, and i do a lot of "fun" work to make my boy wanting to go forward, ie. canters in fields and xc, out hacking i let him go at a forward walk so that he associates going forwards with fun! i never have him in the school all week, and i try and alternate with hacking once or twice a week or we go jumping midweek. you could try that of course!

also maybe go for a short 20min hack before you start to school? i did that for a month and it helped him concentrate better!

 

[PennyJ]

You wouldn't necessarily be taking on too much with such baby, if he is as sweet natured as he sounds. The first one I bought was an incredibly low mileage 5 year old, green as anything but with a temperament to die for. OK he made mistakes, mainly because he didn't understand, but was happy to be corrected and to do as asked and never ever did it twice.

 

[BarmyC]

I agree with the hacking but i do it the other way around.. work him for 20 mins in the school and then take him on a hack (something fun) as a reward for working nicely.

 

[elaineh]

Firstly, give him room to move forward in your reins - dont have then tight.

Look up.

Pick a point.

Ride towards it like it will take 20 secs to get there, but you've only got 15 secs.

Ask him to move on.. use voice, then light leg, then more leg... (make SURE your not pulling on reins at all, and you are looking AHEAD)

The KEY is that the SECOND he does move on, RELEASE the pressure - ie take your leg off.

If he moves ok for a few steps, just enjoy it. If he starts to slow down again, double check youre hands are light, you're looking UP and AHEAD and gently use your commands again - voice, light leg, more leg...

The KEY is that the SECOND he does move on, RELEASE the pressure - ie take your leg off.

If he moves ok for a few steps, just enjoy it. If he starts to slow down again, double check youre hands are light, you're looking UP and AHEAD and gently use your commands again - voice, light leg, more leg...

etc etc etc......

Its the quick release which is how you will teach him.

- it doesnt have to be out in arena... you could do this when hacking etc.

he sound lovely tho, I love youngsters, there's just soooooooooo much potential

My main goal is to make training fun for the horse. If you enjoy doing something, you'll want to get it right and will do your best. and if your horse is enjoying work, then you probably are too