Someone else riding Pony

[Smallhorses]

Morning folks.

I just want to get something off my chest.

Most of you know I have bought a new Pony yay!! Everyday we are getting a stronger bond and for the first time, in years, I had a go at a couple of small cross pole jumps. It was exhilarating!! I rode him on Saturday, jumped on Sunday, left him to have 2 days off then jumped him yesterday. Today he will have a day off. Ridden tomorrow by my YO’s youngest daughter (11yrs). Jumping Saturday and riding Sunday.

Is that too much jumping for him (don’t laugh if that’s a stoooopid question )?

I am trying to calm him down at the moment as he can get a bit strong but my YO’s little girl likes to go quick (she is soooooooo much more confident than me). Whilst I like her little girl, I don’t want to share Pony with ANYONE but I have said yes now. I have asked that she rides quietly i.e not jumping but what if she does!? The YO does me soooo many favours I don’t want to appear difficult but at the same time I don’t want this to become a given habit i.e. my Pony is NOT for share. What if he gets injured?!

I am feeling a bit possessive and wish I hadn’t of said yes

Am I being a bit silly? Honestly? I am thinking it’s good for him to be exercised and he is chomping on some serious grass at the moment so being ridden is a good thing. Plus, I can only get up to ride twice during the week (not including weekends) so its even better that he is ridden more often. Just worried he will get injured, or pick up bad habits or something else I haven't thought of that's bad

Thoughts…..?

 

[Dubsie]

I think it depends on a lot of factors - the hours he's being jumped for, the hardness of the ground or depth of arena, how fit he is anyway and what sort of a pony he is? Also YO's daughter's weight and riding ability, and whether you trust that in your absence he will only be ridden for an hour or two and not jumped if you say not.

Personally if he's fit enough and the ground is fine, and he's not being sent too high or for more than an hour or so at a time, and has a bit of variety in his exercise not just jump jump jump, then I think the amount of jumping he is doing is fine, especially if he enjoys it.

 

[Brandy]

I know how you feel. I wouldn;t let the girl ride him while you are not there, if you are there you can at least supervise and know what happens.

I wouldn;t say it is too much jumping, and I would rather jump twice a week for a short time than once a week non stop for an hour.

Re someone else riding, I had a sharer for my small pony, and when i got another one for myself, let her ride him a bit. I had to stop her riding him for a while though as, although she rides very well, she never really asked anything of him, so when I rode and was expecting him to go nicely, he just wanted to lollop around on a loose rein.

Personally, I would probably change my mind - you are quite entitled to, it is your pony and you want him to quieten down a bit, and with the best will inthe world, a confident 11 yr old is not going to quieten him down!

 

[Smallhorses]

Hmmm, this is a tricky one.

I might call my insurance company and see whether I am covered.