New pony won’t move with kids

[Samie10]

Hi, I have just bought a fabulous new pony who is an absolute dream when I ride him but a different story with my children. They are 8 and 5 and novices, the 8 year old is off the LR. The pony will just not move with her, he won’t respond to her leg at all. I don’t want to be taking her in the LR or curb her enthusiasm with a lazy pony. The 5 year old is small and her legs don’t do much, she is still on the LR but could come off in walk. What do I do? He is brilliant with me!

 

[Parrotperson]

get a good instructor, someone who has taught pony club preferably and knows ponies inside out!

They aren't stupid, ponies, they know when they can get away with it so your kids need someone to show them how to do it.

 

[AmyMay]

Was he bought as a lead rein or first ridden pony?

 

[Samie10]

first pony...didn’t think he might not have been led!

 

[SusieT]

too slow is better than too fast! Get them to pony club with a good instructor, they should be able to sort it.

 

[Maryann]

My friend had a first ridden pony that wouldn't canter with her tiny son. Cantered fine with me and cantered fine for the little boy once he was a bit more secure in the saddle. Could your pony just not be used to being ridden by small children off lead rein?

 

[windand rain]

We had a bit of this but have now moved on with a professional schooling the pony to respond to a crop (not beating it just reminding her to move forward) so when the kid rides she carries one the pony is great still more whoa than go but ideal for a novice. kids legs were neither long enough nor strong enough to get her moving. Nor was she experienced enough to use her core. means a lot less flapping legs and urging hands just carrying it has helped a lot

 

[Jellymoon]

I’ve had same thing with my daughter and her pony when he was new. Small adult could get him going beautifully, really forward, no problem, but she couldn’t get him out of walk, was painful to watch!!!
However, fast forward a few months and lots of lessons, and he goes really well for her now too. She was just a bit ineffective, and nervous because he was new, and he was being sweet and trying to read her body language. I find trying to teach her myself doesn’t work at all and finding a really good instructor who is both encouraging and firm really helps. She probably just needs to learn to really use her legs, push with her bottom at the same time, and keep the contact.

 

[Shay]

DD's first pony was just like this. Woudn't go unless you had the technique to make him. He is (or was - retired now) actually really good to learn on becuase you had to be spot on with your aids. Not about hitting or kicking etc - but about being still in the body and directive with the aid. But I do get they can be frustrating without help.

We used to lunge her riding him. She can learn to ask properly but with the back up of the handler. Also getting verbal commands. A good instructor is a must - and one who will teach well, not teach to hit.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

Pony sounds like a complete dude, lol

 

[Fastasflames]

long rein him and get him going up and down transitions off your voice

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

He is probably reacting to an unbalanced rider - not wanting to lose one.

 

[windand rain]

Long rein, lunge and school with an adult are all very well but if the pony stops moving with the child it is unfortunately the child that has to fix it. Sitting kicking mostly doesn't work so a carried crop can help. I am not for one minute suggesting they beat the pony but use it to back up weak aids.

 

[Jellymoon]

I do agree she may need a whip, but I also think kids can start relying on the whip and stop using their legs, see it quite a lot at pc. I would give her a bit longer to develop some nice strong leg aids, with a really good trainer to help, and then introduce a whip a bit further down the line.
I have also seen instructors encourage the pony forwards with a lunge whip while the kids is on board, just to get it out of walk, but not as a replacement for kids using their legs.

 

[Jellymoon]

He does sound wonderful though, could end up being your little treasure and the envy of the pony club, with a long wait list...

 

[windand rain]

Encouraging forward from the ground results in bucking, shying and usually the child exiting stage right. We are woking on the child being able to emulate the pro so far it has been carrying not using the crop

 

[Ranyhyn]

Sounds like the ideal FYFR TBH. Its a rare (and wonderful) thing to get a FYFR that goes on to be a true FR but in my experience its rare!
Slow and steady and dependable will build up massive confidence and is worth its weight in gold. You might however be waiting a long time to find that rare pony that will do the same job for the 5yo and 8yo but good luck!

 

[oldie48]

Had a neighbour come to use my arena yesterday with a sect A and two children, 7 year old and 4 year old. Pony on lead rein was great with the 4 year old but kept stopping with the 7 year old who was off lead rein. Actually she was napping towards the gate and people, quite happy to keep going at other times. Grandma had a lunge whip and just trailed it behind the pony whilst child kicked and used voice. It was enough to get the pony going forward again but they decided the child needed to carry a whip and seeing the situation, I'd agree.

 

[Wishfilly]

I think it's likely her leg aids are either ineffective or in a place the pony isn't used to (e.g. short legs higher up than previous riders).

So, she needs to be able to give an aid the pony understands- this could be a tap with the whip or a voice aid, or slowly teaching the pony that her leg aids = forwards as well.

Has she/you tried riding with a crop? How does the pony respond?