teaching an old pony new tricks, like stopping when told.....

nic85

nic85

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Ok so snowy is a typical Shetland. He's very quick and proving difficult for son to do much on on his own ( technically he is on the lead rein but likes to try things on his own) now we aren't doing badly, he fell off yesterday when snowy put his head down and just trotted faster til he cantered and son rolled off the side. But he got back on and was fine.
Today we tried lunging, I lunged snowy first and he was fine, bit quick but fine, put son on and all he had to do was walk and he kept just troting off. This has all happened since he had the dentist last Saturday and she suggested we could put him in a snaffle ( was in a kimblewick) but it's not working. Should I just go back to the kimblewick as this seemed to work..... Or keep trying with the snaffle? He is 21 and been doing this a very long time! Any help appreciated :)
 
School him in long reins before your son gets on him. I actually schooled Titchy in long reins with her on board too, but that's probably a highly contentious thing and I am not suggesting you do so.
 
If he was going well in the kimblewick I would go back to using it, in an ideal world he would be in a snaffle but your child's safety is more important and it is better that he has control before he loses confidence, also consider using a daisy rein to stop him putting his head down and side reins when lunging will do no harm and give you more control. At his age he will know all the tricks and while you may manage to improve his manners it should not be at the expense of your child, shetlands are tough little ******s he will be fine if you take a stronger approach, don't feel guilty about it.
 
Thanks for the replies, I admit I did some pony squishing today, I tell you what even with me on his back he was still quick and strong! I've found some Shetland sized side reins on eBay so will probably get them. The kimblewick I was using was a fellow liveys I was supposed to buying off them but they've taken it back now so I'm guessing they no longer want to sell it, it was a ported mouthpiece, should I try a jointed/linked kimblewick or stick with a ported mouthpiece?

I'm going to keep up withthe lunging/long reining to keep him going but iI think to make it fun for son he needs to be able to stop .

Thanks guys!
 
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