Strong pony

[Court.louise]

@eclipse

Op…please explain why in your other thread you’d rather ride a pony called “Tess” than this one, but on this thread there is no mention of these “nerves” you are having? Honestly, it sounds like you are either not as confident as you are portraying yourself here and if, as you state in the other thread, Tess is not available to ride as it’s a riding school, then this pony is a lesson pony not a lease! Is it just that, really, he’s a perfectly fine school pony for a more advanced rider and you’re just not at that level yet? (And there’s nothing wrong with admitting that). This would also be why you have no say in bits…schoolies go in what’s provided, a once a weeker might have some “grand ideas” …Colour me confused!

Casper, the pony I am talking about in this thread, is the one I’d like to loan. Unfortunately due to his owner having to move house, just lost her grandma and having to buy a new saddle after Christmas with 3 children I am continuing to ride at a riding school, which isn’t working out at the moment. I used to live 50 miles away from where I am now, so I had to move riding school and there is only one near me which I volunteer at and get a free lesson every fortnight. I have called them and made sure all of my future lessons are cancelled for the time being as I feel like there is no progress being made. Tess, is a horse I would prefer to ride due to actually progressing as well as having fun on her at the same time. I haven’t mentioned Daisy, the really strong horse I am having to ride in my only 30 minute lessons that doesn’t listen to me yet, because that is irrelevant right now. I know that my confidence will shoot back up to where it always has been when my loan situation has been sorted and once my exams are over, hense why I haven’t mentioned it now.

[Court.louise]

@x-halt-salute

I’m glad you’re confident about your experience, but teaching a strong pony who’s apparently been subjected to riding-related trauma recently is a difficult proposition even for a very experienced rider (else the pony’s “very experienced” owner might have sorted his various issues out by now). But more importantly, it is not the sort of thing that tends to be a fun riding experience, especially if you don’t have an excellent professional working directly with the pony.

Many advanced beginner riders start to feel confident once they master things they recognized early on that they didn’t know … but don’t realize that what they’ve learned in a few years of lessons is just the tip of an iceberg of things they don’t know they don’t know. The way you describe this situation, the fact that you’re on an internet forum asking how to get a pony who seems to have some very fundamental training issues to listen to your seat, and the other post you made about not wanting to ride partly because the horses you’ve been on recently are not appropriate for you all suggest to an internet stranger that you might be in that danger zone of unknown unknowns.

I don’t say this to hurt your confidence, but because some of what you’ve said elsewhere suggests that the best way to build confidence and enjoy riding more is to find a horse that’s better suited to you than this guy. I suspect that others who’ve tried to suggest that the horse’s issues might be better handled by a pro are also hoping you’ll find a different situation that is more likely to set you up for success. I wish you luck, whether you settle for this situation or hold out for something more promising.

His owner has had him 10 years and has helped him massively, he’s not a horse I would think had been treated badly in the past. What I have wrote in the other thread is about how I am feeling about riding at the moment. I already have a plan together of exercises to complete with him in hope they help to slow and collect him but was wondering if anyone had any extra tips really. I know my confidence has been knocked currently due to my mental health worsening and my exams, once exams are over my mental health and insomnia will get better and more than likely will be in a better place to ride more often without the current stress I’m having. So far people have commented on my riding ability and have gave no tips. I appreciate everyone’s responses including yours but as I said would definitely prefer some advice on what I have asked. I am by far no perfect rider and I am very aware this will take years and years of continuous practice to achieve. I am a very determined and quick learner, already with a qualification for horse care and riding.

[Scribbler]

I’m really confused.

What is a loan pony? Do you take it as a free loan and pay all the expenses?

Or do you ride several days a week and pay a fee to the owner, who pays the expenses?

Either way, it sounds like there is enough money in your family to buy you a “loan” or “lease” ride.

Why then do you need to volunteer in order to get one half hour lesson every 2 weeks?

Are you going to have lessons on this pony? You will need them. Where will you take these lessons?

If you can afford lessons on the pony why can’t you afford lessons 2 or 3 times a week at the riding school?

Anyhow the short answer to your question about how to school a naughty pony is, get the support of a good coach.

No one here can give advice without seeing you ride. And have you actually even tried to ride this pony yet?

[ThreeFigs]

Gee whiz. Give it a break. So it doesn’t poke a horse in the palate. I still don’t like the bit, OK?

[Court.louise]

@Scribbler

I’m really confused.

What is a loan pony? Do you take it as a free loan and pay all the expenses?

Or do you ride several days a week and pay a fee to the owner, who pays the expenses?

Either way, it sounds like there is enough money in your family to buy you a “loan” or “lease” ride.

Why then do you need to volunteer in order to get one half hour lesson every 2 weeks?

Are you going to have lessons on this pony? You will need them. Where will you take these lessons?

If you can afford lessons on the pony why can’t you afford lessons 2 or 3 times a week at the riding school?

Anyhow the short answer to your question about how to school a naughty pony is, get the support of a good coach.

No one here can give advice without seeing you ride. And have you actually even tried to ride this pony yet?

I don’t live with my family so I have to pay for this all by myself, I will be loaning him for 3 days per week and on each of those day have to look after and ride him. I volunteer for experience and to help out on a yard which teaches people with disabilities to ride, I also do it because I like doing it. I can’t afford 2 or 3 lessons a week as that would work out about £75 which is far too much money per week. Yes I would be getting lessons on this pony, I will be having them at the yard Casper will be staying at with a qualified instructor. I only wanted advice on how to control a strong pony, if anyone had any extra bits of advice or experience with really strong horses I wanted to know their advice. Also, I have rode him before.

[KBC]

@x-halt-salute

I’m glad you’re confident about your experience, but teaching a strong pony who’s apparently been subjected to riding-related trauma recently is a difficult proposition even for a very experienced rider (else the pony’s “very experienced” owner might have sorted his various issues out by now). But more importantly, it is not the sort of thing that tends to be a fun riding experience, especially if you don’t have an excellent professional working directly with the pony.

Many advanced beginner riders start to feel confident once they master things they recognized early on that they didn’t know … but don’t realize that what they’ve learned in a few years of lessons is just the tip of an iceberg of things they don’t know they don’t know. The way you describe this situation, the fact that you’re on an internet forum asking how to get a pony who seems to have some very fundamental training issues to listen to your seat, and the other post you made about not wanting to ride partly because the horses you’ve been on recently are not appropriate for you all suggest to an internet stranger that you might be in that danger zone of unknown unknowns.

I don’t say this to hurt your confidence, but because some of what you’ve said elsewhere suggests that the best way to build confidence and enjoy riding more is to find a horse that’s better suited to you than this guy. I suspect that others who’ve tried to suggest that the horse’s issues might be better handled by a pro are also hoping you’ll find a different situation that is more likely to set you up for success. I wish you luck, whether you settle for this situation or hold out for something more promising.

Great post