Pony well behaved except with loaner

Ginger Bear

Ginger Bear

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I recently got a little nf cross mare for my 10 yr old cousin, her friend asked to part loan 2 days which was really helpful but she was quite nervous to start with & her mum put her on lead rein.. She's ok now but pony just refuses point blank to go forward for the little girl.. Put my cousin on her & she's back to normal.. Doesnt have to kick too my much or use a crop. Any ideas?? Is this just a case of the loan child not being confident enough?
 
Yes perhaps, she is learning.. My cousin is a very soft handed child, will ride with long reins & use her leg & seat as was taught from the beginning one on one with a dressage instructor.. Said I will help the little girl tomorrow..
 
Is there a noticeable size difference between the two girls? Not suggesting the loaner is too big, but a back/saddle problem might not show up with your cousin if she's loads lighter.
If there's a noticeable difference in ability & loaners very unbalanced it could be that if the pony isn't used to very unbalanced riders.
If its a schoolmistress sort it could be pony is sensing the lack of confidence & trying to look after her. Mines forward going but acts noticeably different with nervous/novice kids, & nannies them along.
Or if pony is used to being kicked to go forwards it probably won't bother responding to the aids of a child that doesn't.
 
The loan child is small although older than my cousin, she's a teeny little thing. Yes I would describe her as a school mistress sort. I think the loan child needs to use legs more perhaps..
 
Long shot but is it possible she associates the little girl with being on the lead rein,and therefore won't move forward without someone at her head??

I know she goes fine off lead rein for other riders,but perhaps it's just an association she has with this rider,and is made worse by the fact the child lacks confidence and maybe doesn't use her legs etc.

Just a thought,and hope it resolves itself soon so all can enjoy the pony :)
 
Would some lunging be helpful to get pony going forward without person by head, & improve stability of child so she doesn't need to hang onto mouth? Also get child used to going forward without person by ponies head.
 
If she's using the reins to balance then I would give her a neckstrap till she is balanced enough not to, regardless of whether pony goes forward or not.
 
Could just be an unsuitable pony. Mine can be persuaded to move by people who have never ridden before and have no understanding of the aids beyond legs for go and reins to stop, if they're confident. But a nervous novice rider, even if not a total beginner, won't move him an inch from the gate. He just knows!
 
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