Schooling a 12hh pony ? - who to go to?

[Gingerwitch]

As many will know I got sob storied into taking a little welshie on.... and he is a diamond - we have found a little jockey for him and they adore each other - BUT he cannot canter on the lunge only gallop and he wont canter when she is on him..... now

He was HUGE when we brougt him and he has lost a load of weight already, the saddle is a bit of an issue as he is SOOOOO fat still that whilst it is okay its not brilliant..... I am still off my feet so to speak so does anyone know anyone around the M6 Junct 11 or 12 area that can help me get him.... or shall I just get him properly lunged?

 

[be positive]

Small ponies often have issues with canter, you tend to think because they are small it should be easy but often when they are broken cantering is avoided due to either putting a small child on and just doing lead rein work or just missed out because no one thinks it worth bothering doing a good job as it is just a pony.
I would go back to basics, get him lunging confidently with loads of transitions then start to do some cantering, if he gallops off just let him run and once he settles back to trot and ask again, plenty of praise even if he goes too fast, he will gradually relax and get what you want, it may take a while and until he is secure without a rider I would avoid cantering with a rider except out hacking where he may find it easier to balance.
I reschooled a pony last year that was much the same, after 2 weeks of lunging daily he had changed his way of going and loved to canter but at first it was a mad gallop until he ran out of steam.

 

[Gingerwitch]

Thanks for that - I will get somone in to do the first few days of lunging as if he tanks off and I screw my leg up again I think something will be shot .... and it wont be the pony !lol