Steady, spooky, strong

No pony’s perfect, so there’s sure to be things you want to work on with yours. Whether he’s super-spooky, prone to getting strong or a bit more on the steady side than you’d like, check out my ways to get the best from the pony you ride and make your schooling sessions even more fun!

TOP TIP
Always get your pony checked by a vet, saddler and physio if his behaviour changes – it could be a sign that he’s sore.

Steady up

There’s nothing better than a pony who makes you feel safe in the saddle, but sometimes you might want a little more enthusiasm during your schooling sessions. If this is the case, there are a few things you can try…

• do your schooling sessions in the field or while out on a hack
• swap one flatwork ride per week for some in-hand poles or groundwork
• add poles or small fences to spice up your flatwork sessions
• go back a step and make sure your pony understands that your leg means he needs to go forwards – transitions will be helpful here!
• talk to your instructor about changing his bit to make sure it isn’t too strong for him
• give him a hacking holiday so he gets a break from the school

TOP TIP
It can be helpful to do your desensitisation work in-hand to start with. If you do, wear a helmet, gloves and sturdy boots to keep you safe.

Do you want more top tips on how to get the best from the pony you ride? Check out October PONY!