Newly backed pony won’t move forwards

[tristar]

oh silly me, i always thought a circle was a gymnastic move to make the horse step under itself, and a considerable effort to do it well, and carry itself and the rider in balance,

in fact a challenge to find the balance, and not for a horse that can barely trot forwards

you learn something every day

 

[milliepops]

seems to me that if the horse was struggling with the idea of going off on its own before, then it makes sense to change one thing at a time. so lunge, let off lunge, then when that's secure then go large.

Many roads to rome anyway.

 

[Chinchilla]

But the horse must learn aids to go forwards before anything surely.....So if it goes forwards on the lunge, keep everything the same but remove the lunge line, then build up from there, going large when proper aids are established? If the horse never properly understands 'go' you'll never be able to even think about gymnastic-ism.

 

[ester]

Huh, when did we start discussing the intricacies of a circle!?!

I wonder how the horse is possibly able to balance when on the lunge with a rider, especially when it was a bit spooky around the edge in the first video that you haven't seen tristar.

 

[ktj1891]

I just can't win it seems. But whether it's clear to people or not I am trying my best and doing what I believe is right for my pony and I at that moment in time. I do not profess to being perfect and this is my first horse that I am starting from scratch.

Just FYI. I am riding on the circle because we just un-clipped her from the lunge line after going really well on the line. I wanted to see how she would react to just my aids and she didn't disappoint and did everything I wanted.

 

[ester]

Will be nice to see future updates

 

[Keira 8888]

I just can't win it seems. But whether it's clear to people or not I am trying my best and doing what I believe is right for my pony and I at that moment in time. I do not profess to being perfect and this is my first horse that I am starting from scratch.

Just FYI. I am riding on the circle because we just un-clipped her from the lunge line after going really well on the line. I wanted to see how she would react to just my aids and she didn't disappoint and did everything I wanted.

Sounds like you are doing an amazing job! Keep going girl! Your pony is absolutely beautiful and you look great together. As another poster said “there are many roads to Rome” - I love that expression! Looks like you are making so much progress - just keep believing in yourself. It’s obviously working ???

 

[dominobrown]

Agree about using clearer voice aids, however I think the horse still 'thinks' it is on the lunge and the person on the ground is still somewhat 'helping', so if you feel safe and the horse offers take the circle as big as possible, but I understand why you have chosen to do what you have.

However OP... a lot better. If she was my horse I would go for baby hacks now, as well as continuing what you re already doing, as sometimes when you are on a track, lane etc it gives the horse more of feeling of a clear path forward, as the idea of doing school work is still foreign to them. She looks like a sweet horse and get an honest little horse. Still spend time on your groundwork and you will progress well.

 

[Marigold4]

When I started hacking my newly backed, I did TINY hacks. Just down to the end of our lane and back. Once he was comfortable with that, I added about 100 yards, once comfortable with that a little further. Little by little I have got him confident with going out through the village and up into the woods along a bridleway where I had led him inhand beforehand. It's taken 3 weeks to build up to a 30 mins hack, but he has not put a foot wrong and is happy hacking out on his own with just OH for company. Do the hacking in baby steps and she will get there and you will be safe.

 

[Pinkvboots]

We always started a rider on the lunge with any young horse, we taught them to go forward with a voice aid on the lunge, then just did the same with a rider always worked for us.

 

[ktj1891]

Her first walk out with me on board today. She did plant a couple time’s like she does in the school but overall a very good positive session.

 

[Regandal]

Well, she looks a lot happier! Well done, keep doing what you’re doing.

 

[TPO]

Amazing progress in such a short space of time. Well done! I hope you keep posting updates, shes a sweet looking mare

 

[dominobrown]

A lot lot better... yes there was couple of plants, but she is more relaxed through her body and softer, and you are too, overall a nice picture. Well done.

 

[ktj1891]

Update: today was a major breakthrough. Completely different pony.

I have been working on ground with her, hacking out, working her in our pond and popped a fence on the lunge and she’s been really good.

Today, I got on by myself on the yard and managed to walk her into the school on my own and ride her around the school with no help from the ground. Positive steps.

 

[tristar]

well done

 

[ester]

A penny seems to have dropped.
I love the 'christ'

 

[AmyMay]

Brilliant progress xx

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Really lovely to see the difference..!! Well done, she is looking MUCH happier ?

 

[MrsMozart]

Very well done.