Will we ever get anywhere with this nice young pony

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peaceandquiet1

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Bought unbroken 4yo old for daughter (13). Before you all say what a bad idea she has already produced her previous pony from unbroken, and she was 9 then. But-we just aren't getting anywhere. Pony was backed professionally and daughter can walk and trot round the arena. And thats it! We haven't travelled her or managed to canter. Just can't see a way forward at all. She will be getting lessons in the holidays but it just seems to be taking forever. Cannot imagine her ever getting to a show ring, which is where she is destined to be! Coffee and cake for anyone who can point us in the right direction!
 
Maybe you are expecting too much too soon, just relax and do lots of long reining, allow her to go out and play with her friends, keep her training sessions to 30 mins per day, no need to ride every day, maybe hack out in company rather than schooling every day, do grid work to improve balance, balance is the most difficult for some horses, I only did serious, but steady cantering in the forest for two years, and other than that it was only very much part of his jump training, by which I mean trotting in to a crossed pole, with it being very obvious which leg was required afterwards, I always asking for a canter on the corner of the arena, and just did less than a circuit, relax, trot on and in to the canter on the corner.
 
IMHO if your daughter, who IS only 13, doesn't know the way forward (and she's the one schooling him) get some professional help! The first couple of years under saddle are absolutely crucial to a horse's ridden career - if you mess them up, you'll end up with a horse that isn't a pleasant ride (not in the near future anyway).

13 is REALLY young to be schooling a young horse, even if she's a fantastic rider. Get some help so that both your daughter and her pony can improve:)
 
Regarding the importance of early education, the pony she produced before is now a push button ride for her 8 yo sister. Having re read my post I think the way I am feeling is overall rather depressed, and that is why I can't see a way forward with the pony. I haven't got the energy or the inspiration right now. Thanks for all the replies.
 
I was curious when you said a canter hadn't been managed yet. Is this because the pony just keeps trotting faster and faster and then you run out of room in the school? For me, with recently backed ponies, the best way to have your first canter is up a slight hill (this discourages bucking hopefully) with another horse giving the lead. It can be a bit of a 'bite the bullet' moment though! Getting out and about in company with a steady companion is a quick way to move the pony forward in his education. I would keep school work to a minimum until you have established all the paces, the pony needs to know that going out is fun, he will become more responsive to the aids, and then the school work will mean more to him.
 
All ponies are different - even if the last one ended up push button this one might just be a bit more challanging. Not saying your daughter isn't up to it but an experienced instructor will be able to give her more tips and tricks in her armoury to help with problems as they arise - if she's never had to deal with the problems this pony is presenting then there's no wonder none of you know how to progress. I know with my pony he seems to learn a new trick every week -we have a lesson, my instructor shows me how to deal with that trick and by the time we have another lesson he has another tactic I can't deal with!!

You say she was professionally backed? Did they ride away as well? Did they canter her? Might be worth a chat with them about how they apprached her.

And ditto what the others have said, my young pony's first canter was out hacking - it's much simpler -straight line, no corners, pull up brave pants, sit, kick and hang on!

Personally I think the only way to get out of a depressing schooling rut with horses is a fresh pair of eyes and a lesson with a good instructor - we had a breakthrough with my lad yesterday after I've spent 3 weeks being depressed about his progress - instructor arrives, 45 minutes later we've got the confidence that everything is possible!
 
Gosh I am really rubbish at explaining things! Its not the pony depressing me, but other aspects of my life which are sapping my energy and making her seem more challenging than she is. Daughter has just ridden her and she was super, she is not at all difficult just green, and she is riding her nicely. The other pony was very sharp, they are both show pony types, and presented different challenges. This one is really very level headed and just immature and needing plenty of time and patience. I was there at every session during the backing and riding away process and she was very good. The cantering will come when the trot is more established. Thanks again for all replies and comments
 
Have you tried long reining/double line lungeing her? I fibd it a good way to get them forwards in preparation for riding. But I'm still unclear on what the pony does that is the problem? Does she just refuse to canter or does she buck just seems slow to learn?
 
She is just not truly going forward enough in a consistent way so only asked for canter once to date, got a few strides, she is just still very wobbly and a bit unsteady in her head carriage, she is not at all naughty. In fact she is a delightful pony. Lesson booked for Friday so will see how that goes.
 
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