Teaching a beginner to ride in a headcollar

Bettyboo222

Bettyboo222

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 April 2010
Messages
3,099
Location
In front of my computer
Visit site
Tommorow T should be riding a shetland at the yard.

Now I am in two minds what to do re: tack, Pony will obviously be saddled with a balance strap but I am not sure what to do about bridle. I don't want T to be leaning on the mouth and causing discomfort but I still want to know that pony will stop.

So do I

a : put pony in Bridle but don't bother about reins until t is better balanced

or

B: put pony in headcollar and attach reins to side
 
i would have a look at your liability insurance to see what is req. mine requires equines to be fully tacked up and suitable for the job. and any person under 16 to have a suitable hat and back protector to current stqndards. my policy (as similar to most riding schools) dont allow me to teach children under the age of 5 years.
 
Personally I would lead the pony by the reins....ie over the head.
Bubba is better off with a balance strap until the time comes that the childs seat is sufficent enough not to hang on the reins.
Then lots of games getting child to move pony around with his legs.
 
Have a bridle so you have total control. In walk he can then learn to steer and stop. When you teaching to trot, have him hold the saddle, not the reins and either twist them up or you hold onto them.
 
Reins. Child won't be able to keep them short enough to jab the pony or pull on it, and they may aswell start with what they're going to have to cope with later. I take reins over head to lead myself doing certain exercises (eg trotting without stirrups, as they get better balance they can then work towards taking hands off saddle etc without worrying about socking pony in the mouth, or working on taking hands off in rising trot) but beginner has to start by learning how to hold the reins and how to steer and stop the pony before it goes off trotting anyway - if nothing else working on the scenario that one day I might fall flat on my face leading and rider should have half a chance of remaining in control of pony (it's not happened yet, but there's always a first time!)
 
The RDA put headcollar under bridle with reins attached to headcollar.

Leader can then attach a leadrope to the bridle to ensure they have total control whilst rider can get used to holding reins, stearing, stopping etc without risking pony's mouth.
 
SouthWestWhippet said:
The RDA put headcollar under bridle with reins attached to headcollar.

Leader can then attach a leadrope to the bridle to ensure they have total control whilst rider can get used to holding reins, stearing, stopping etc without risking pony's mouth.
Click to expand...

Thats what we do at my RS but little pony had a nose band which owner says we can't take off :/
 
How old is T?

Most young children are completely incapable of keeping reins short, so there is absolutely no danger of pony being jabbed in the mouth at all. Holding the reins and steering (albeit the reins are so loose the pony doesn't know the steering is happening) whilst the leader actually controls the pony is part of learning to ride.
 
Assuming it is a child's leadrein pony it will have good enough manners to have the reins attached to HC with you leading it - none of our ponies or horses wear bits, we have cleared it with SEIB, they say so long as it's whar the ponies are used to it's fine. In fact many ponies are much happier without bits, less yawing and better mannered.
 
I'd put the bridle and reins on as normal - and give the child them to hold (but so long that the pony doesn't get jabbed in the mouth, nor can pull the child forward).
I'd also take a lead rope or lunge line, run it through one bit ring, and clip it to the far one so that you have control.
If the 5yr old is wobbly sitting on a pony (and they shouldn't really be at that age unless there's a disability) you need someone walking beside them for safety.
You might as well start teaching them correctly from the beginning.
S :D (ex riding instructor)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top