Any tips to teach smaller ponies how to do flying changes?

[mademoiselle]

So, first let me preface this to say, I have taught a lot of horses to change (and I have even taught flying changes to horses deemed impossible).
I’m currently riding in dressage and playing with tempis 2’s and 1’s with a horse I have trained myself.

But teaching ponies (small ones with almost no suspension/air time) is completely different ball game and i’m not having too much luck with the tricks that work on bigger horses.

Any tips to teach the smaller ponies their flying changes. I’m small enough so, I can get the job done but I was just wondering if anybody has a special method that would work better on little ponies.

[mademoiselle]

Nobody, uh?

[HomelessPony]

I found that putting changes on my medium was actually easier than my horse, but of course it depends on the animal. Ground poles were particularly helpful, either across the diagonal or even better if right before the far corner when coming across the diagonal. Poles helped because the little ones usually give more of a jump and a chance to change their balance over the top. A classic one-time “pony kick” with the outside leg worked surprisingly well and gave her that lightbulb moment, finally realizing what I wanted her to do consistently. One of the biggest things is to make sure they’re moving forward with impulsion from behind - I find the little ones feel like they’re going much faster just by nature of their size and can trick you into thinking they have enough canter to do the change.

[Fiction]

I agree with HomelessPony.
You can also really use your weight to essentially “force” them to change. If you step hard into the new outside stirrup as you’re asking for the change, it will change their balance, and make it extremely difficult for them to continue cantering on the old lead, making them switch to the new lead. This doesn’t make a big difference on a horse that outweighs you 10x, but on a pony that only weighs 600 or 700lbs, a 150lb hard shift in weight on their back really throws their balance off.

This trick doesn’t look the best in the show ring (it’s a little dramatic), but it certainly works when schooling changes at home.

[Pennywell_Bay]

2nd the weigh can help with a lightbulb moment but you need a smaller jock to make sure they “get it” with little people. Word of caution- small neck, small body + using your weight can = eating dirt surprisingly quick

[mademoiselle]

Thanks will try all of the above…
Will keep you posted!

[Ridergirl99]

There are no tricks to getting lead changes on a pony. To make the changes easy for a smaller rider, you need to make them auto. Not a shift of balance in the corner or a chase across the diagonal. The pony needs to be well balanced and have a strong hind end. Some ponies are naturally well balanced and some are not. Before you should ask for a change you need to do exercises to make them well balanced and have a strong hind end. Once you have them well balanced then you work on telling them what you would like them to do in their language. Forcing them to do the lead change only leads to problems later. Just as with teaching anything to anyone. You break it down and explain it in pieces and then put it altogether. A rider should not be more than 20% of a ponies bodyweight. I prefer a 100-105# rider for a small.

[mademoiselle]

[QUOTE=Ridergirl99;7763918]
There are no tricks to getting lead changes on a pony. To make the changes easy for a smaller rider, you need to make them auto. Not a shift of balance in the corner or a chase across the diagonal. The pony needs to be well balanced and have a strong hind end. Some ponies are naturally well balanced and some are not. Before you should ask for a change you need to do exercises to make them well balanced and have a strong hind end. Once you have them well balanced then you work on telling them what you would like them to do in their language. Forcing them to do the lead change only leads to problems later. Just as with teaching anything to anyone. You break it down and explain it in pieces and then put it altogether. A rider should not be more than 20% of a ponies bodyweight. I prefer a 100-105# rider for a small.[/QUOTE]
I compete in dressage (upper levels) and I’m 5’0 and 102 # so I should be fine…
It is a different feel for the change between a 17H and a 12H pony… the timing is different as the suspension time is different. Most ponies are more comfortable counter cantering compare to horses.

[Pennywell_Bay]

Yes, the timing is the same but at a faster tempo since their little legs feel like they go a mile a minute and hang time is different. Down a few Red Bull and a Star Bucks and you’ll be fine.

[findeight]

[QUOTE=Pennywell Bay;7764018]
Yes, the timing is the same but at a faster tempo since their little legs feel like they go a mile a minute and hang time is different. Down a few Red Bull and a Star Bucks and you’ll be fine. ;)[/QUOTE]

Ditto this. And suspension isn’t a smaller Pony deal with a stride 3’+ shorter then you are used to- GO forward, don’t try to pick them up, they lose too much impulsion. The ground pole on a diagonal into a corner off a good gallop are tried and true and you don’t have to throw your body weight around.

The throw your weight to the new outside out will force it but is truly ugly schooling or not. Besides stepping out right into the dirt, have seen some larger riders on Smalls twist the saddle half off and even pull the Pony right over.

Out think the little creatures, don’t try to force them for they often hold a grudge.