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Ponying a horse is an essential skill for horse trainers and equestrians. It provides a way to introduce young or problematic horses to training while maintaining safety and control. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of ponying, using a real-life example of working with a seven-year-old gelding named Red and a seasoned pony horse, Cody.
What Is Ponying?
Ponying involves leading one horse (the ponied horse) while riding another (the pony horse). This technique is useful for starting young horses, addressing behavioral issues, or providing exercise.
Benefits of Ponying:
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Increases your physical advantage over the horse.
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Allows for controlled training scenarios.
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Helps the ponied horse acclimate to being handled and ridden.
Step-by-Step Guide to Ponying a Horse
1. Choosing the Right Pony Horse
Your pony horse is the foundation of successful ponying. Look for a horse that:
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Is calm and well-trained.
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Moves off your leg easily.
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Can handle pressure from the ponied horse.
In this case, Cody, a five-year-old Quarter Horse, was the ideal choice. As a chick-riding horse and a personal colt-starting horse, he’s experienced and reliable.
2. Getting Started with the Ponied Horse
When introducing a horse to ponying, begin by getting them comfortable with your presence.
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Establish Physical Contact: Start by riding your pony horse close to the ponied horse. Place your hands on them to accustom them to being touched from above.
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Disengage the Hindquarters: Teach the ponied horse to respect your space by disengaging their hindquarters. This reinforces that you’re in control.
Red, the seven-year-old gelding, exhibited nervous behavior. However, by approaching calmly and using Cody’s steady demeanor, we were able to build trust.
3. Managing Behavior During Ponying
A common issue with problematic horses is their tendency to surge, crowd, or kick. Here’s how to manage these behaviors:
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Maintain the Sweet Spot: Keep the ponied horse’s head at your knee or slightly behind your pony horse.
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Respect the Bubble: Ensure the ponied horse does not crowd or intimidate your pony horse.
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Use Hand Pressure: If the ponied horse invades your space, apply pressure with your hand to push them away.
4. Handling the Lead Rope
Proper rope handling is critical:
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Keep the lead rope in two hands for better control.
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Avoid tying off unless absolutely necessary to prevent entanglement.
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If you dally (wrap the rope around the saddle horn), ensure your hand stays away from the horn to avoid injury.
Training Progression
Introducing the Rider
Once the ponied horse is comfortable, introduce a rider. This step requires coordination:
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Position the ponied horse in a “T” formation for stability.
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The rider focuses on calming and petting the horse while you control its movement.
Building Confidence
Ponying is ideal for horses like Red who have behavioral challenges. It allows them to:
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Adjust to having a rider without fear of punishment.
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Learn to move calmly under control.
Over time, daily ponying sessions will transform a problematic horse into a reliable partner.
Tips for Successful Ponying
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Stay Focused: Keep your attention on the ponied horse to anticipate and manage reactions.
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Use a Reliable Pony Horse: A calm and experienced pony horse like Cody makes the process smoother.
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Practice Safe Techniques: Ensure proper rope handling and maintain control to avoid accidents.
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