new pony-little issues!

[SarahRicoh]

Hey all.

Well had my pony for just over 2 weeks of his 1 month trial.

Just a couple things i wondered if people could help me with.

1. Hes so shutdown.to people. He'll stand and let you stroke him etc but hes not responsive to it and most horses if you stand next to them.in stable theyd turn to you or sniff you or something. My pony-nothing.. Will
just stand head turned slightly away not fussed. Iv tried turning away and head down-still nothing and hes so distrustful. I appreciate i havent had him long and trust takes time but anything i could do to help brreak down his barriers?

2. Hes being very good hacking out and i want to take him out further/up hill this week but il be on my own and need to do gates. He hates gates! Hds v stressy and someone leaning over to push/pull a gate worries him and ge rushes backwards or through gate which could hurt me or him. So i just thought il get off but although i can get on with someone holding him. Without he shoots off and although i can get into saddle sometimes cant find stirrup. But im.not going to not hack.

So do i perservere doing gate on him until done. Try getting off and see how he is? Or any other ideas? He needs to get used to it so i think im just going to have to try both but dont want to put him/me in danger.

3. Hes very on the forehand both schooling and jumping? Any ideas to improve this? Hes very sensitive to ride and quite difficult

i do love him just working on the little things!

 

[SarahRicoh]

Bump

 

[Clodagh]

1. Give him time, don't resort to treats. Try to find his special itchy spot, he will like that.
2. Leave gates until you know each other, pratice on the menage/paddock gate, don't endanger either of you trying it on the track. Also practice mounting from the ground without someone holding him, he may prefer to move forward while you get on? Some do.
3. Lots of half halts, practice, practice and practice some more. Not for too long to start with, remember he knows as little about you as you do him.
Hope it all goes well.

 

[SarahRicoh]

I found an itchy spot today-he seemed to like it
im going to get on on my own in the school tomorrow and see how he is and decide from there about gates. I need to get him up hill so i can do some canter work/hillwork/keep him interested!

Thankyou

 

[mulledwhine]

No advice, it is early days, and some ponies/horses just are not that bothered by human attention.

Good luck

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thankyou

 

[JFTDWS]

1. scratching and grooming. He'll learn to love you for it.

2. practice on the yard, get him used to standing to mount and standing to let you lean over / lean down to pick things up / work up to doing gates etc. Don't take risks out hacking while you're getting to know each other - take a buddy / get someone to do the gate / leave a mounting block up there so you can jump on easier etc!

3. lateral work - leg yield to get him to step under himself / shoulder in will lift his forehand. Half halts, endless transitions, between / direct / within gaits etc.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Going to give it all a go

 

[MiCsarah]

Lots of transitions will help getting him off forhand, trotting poles

 

[Ella19]

transitions and lateral work really got my pony off the forehand. You have to be gentle with your aids though if he's sensitive. Perhaps try to squeeze in a lesson on him before your trial is up then you and instructor can constructively discuss him.

I would leave gates until you can do menage or field ones (ie one at home), or hack out in company that can do the gates for now so you can go do your hill work but not stress him out.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Very hard to hack out in company thats problem. I have whole week off but hacking buddy lame
i wont do anything to stress him out but il see how gates go.

Problems with transitions is it winds him up lol and makes him more excited which makes him rush which means more on forehand
trotting poles and raise trotting poles?

My ym will be my instructor (wen i get money ) and shes seen me on him and given mini lessons so once i can afford it il pay her to teach me!

 

[Ella19]

Can you help her out at the weekend in return for a lesson? Think it would really help. Try sitting up tall and slowing your rising (easier said than done!) this should slow him down, little half halts with the outside rein as if you are squeezing a sponge.

Have you tried lunging him? Lunging in a pessoa if you know how to use one can really help, if your not sure you need someone to teach you before using it.

Not sure what else to suggest really.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Iv tried the slowing my rising. Need to practice that as i struggle with it and it should help.

As hes only on trial she gave me couple lessons so she could see we got on and he was suitable. Once hes mine on loan she'll teach me so that should help!