Question Details
User name:
Melaina Sharp

Email address:
Melaina-Joy@hotmail.co.uk

Date:
18/03/10 18:51:24		 Heya, im only 14 years old but ive had my pony ever since i was little, Shes not naughty in the school... Just lazy. On hacks shes really energetic but whenever i try to ride her in the school she seems to slow up and tries to stop when i ask to go faster, i make our schooling sessions as interesting as possible by doing figure of eights cirles ect. ive even tried simply riding on the track, but shes still slow... Please can you give me some tips on re schooling her so i can have my foward going pony back :) Thankyou

User name:
Lisa Hamilton

Email address:
lisa@ridewelltraining.com

Date:
20/03/10 03:34:40		 Hi
Thank you for writing in. You have an interesting situation with your pony and its quite common in ponies that have reached a mature age, and have learnt what they can get away with, You have tried to solve the problem very well, however it may require further work.

I suspect your pony has got in the habit of being lazy so we need to create a new habit of going forward. Make sure there is no physical reason for her reluctance in the school. eg. a stiffness that is more of a problem when she turns. If you feel she is well and sound then you need to start a new regime. Does she like jumping, or polework? If so can you do that in school rather then do plain schooling? Try riding her in the school for a very short session but make sure that in that time she is off your leg. Using a clear aid ask her to move forwards, if she is reluctant then ask more firmly and then a light tap of a schooling whip if necessary, As soon as she moves forward make sure you allow and encourage the forwardness and lots of praise. Make it a game with her if you like, she has to earn her rewards by doing a few minutes forwards work. Is he she better at canter or trot, do what she likes best for only 5 mins to start with then end the session on a good note, each time you go in school you can make the session slightly longer.

DO lots of hacking in between these short school sessions, and as you have done keep the work varied and interesting for her. If she is still not more forwards after this consider her feed, does she get enough energy food? Call your feed adviser from baileys or dodson and horrell for eg. and ask their advice for livening her up? We tend to all feed low energy feed these days, everyone is worried about a horse being too hot to handle, but sometimes a little energy feed will help, and the horse will not be hot but be more motivated to work and move forwards.

Well theres some suggestions to be going on with, if this doesnt work, write again. There is an answer out there we simply have to find it ;-)

Good Luck
Lisa

User name:
lisa Hamilton

Email address:
Lisa@ridewelltraining.com

Date:
20/03/10 03:48:47		 ps great photo ;-)



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