At 16:22:40 on 15.04.10, lozzyhorselover wrote:
Hi, I quite often jump with lazy school ponies. On Tuesday I went and rode this one who went into a canter when i asked a couple of times, but before the jump slowed to a trot. After a while he just wouldn't go when i asked and he had stopped because i was in the lesson with a friend. I couldn't get him going and he bucked and reared, but would go. I managed to get him going, but still only trotted over the jumps. Can anybody help me plz? I know he might be bored, but I asked the instructor to raise the jumps to the max, and he didnt improve. Any comments would help, thanks.xx

At 18:35:14 on 16.04.10, lozzyhorselover wrote:
lol, thanks, i have another lesson tomorrow, there is a really wide range of ponies there, i think the problem with that pony was that it had beginners on it aswell, so it was used to them just flapping there legs about like a lost chicken, lol, i think it wasnt very fit because at the end i gave him a long rein and he was panting a bit, i think if i get him or another lazy one again, i will give them a mint, it worked a little on tuesday, u just got 2 get the right amount, if i give some of the ponies (or horses) even ONE mint they go balistic. I just really have 2 get them 2 know that I'm the boss, the "lead mare", but it doesnt always work, thanks, ill keep u posted.xx

At 15:51:43 on 17.04.10, lozzyhorselover wrote:
hi again, i had another lesson today, we went on a hack into the woods, the pony that I was on wasnt too bad, she went when i asked most of the time, but slowed down alot, had fun galloping along, lol, thanks for your help Lozzy.xx

At 19:45:00 on 10.07.10, Natasha wrote:
I dont like kick on ponies, do you use whips or spurs can i ask? If the horse your on wont go after lots of talking to it and kicking and squeeziing then a good hard smack behing the hind leg will sure get him going!

At 07:57:34 on 11.07.10, Flicka wrote:
Basically if I were a riding school pony I think I would be conserving my energy so I can see where they're coming from LOL! I think Natasha is right-they get what's called 'dead to the leg' because they're kicked so much that they just switch off to it. The aim is to make your aids as light as possible but these ponies have often been kicked and kicked even when they have responded. So build up the pressure, squeeze first, if no response kick, no response a quick short sharp tap with the whip (not a tickle) behind the leg (not on the neck) and once the horse moves forward release the pressure. If the pony is rewarded with a release of pressure once he has responded then he will soon catch on and eventually you will only need a light aid. But obviously it's not so easy with riding school ponies as they are ridden by so many people. Good Luck.

At 20:31:32 on 14.07.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
I hate whips and spurs. I used to ride a 'stubborn lazy' pony at my riding school but i loved her! She wouldn't stop for me haha! You need to work out the horse you are riding, each horse will respond to different aids differently. Some horses respond to a light seat and gentle nudges and light hands, outers need a deep seat, strong leg (calves wrapped around the sides squeezing) and a firm contact. It is just a question of mixing and matching the aids until the message hits home. Eventually you will be flying over jumps :)

At 21:04:03 on 24.07.10, lozzyhorselover wrote:
Thanks everyone, I have just come back on after trying to get back into my account for months :/ I normally ride the horses now, which can be more of a problem to get one cheeky little gypsy vanner to behave, but he's so nice. Now I don't have to struggle with the ponies, but I'll be riding some soon, some try and get their own way because they have with other riders who don't know what to do or are to weak to make a difference. Most of them respond OK, but others are so stubborn it's like cruelty when the teacher goes over to this kid on a fat pony and wacks it, I can't believe why they can't just get some people on day courses to lung them and get them a bit more fresh.

At 18:38:09 on 26.07.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
hey riding school ponies are usually very smart, so they will test you to see what they can get away with and they will remember. i keep my horse at my uncles riding school and i see it all the time, a pony will take the mickey unless you are the boss. you cant let them get away with anything even the tiny things, my pony romany is the worst for it, sometimes she just refuses to move at all for the wee kids

At 20:59:35 on 09.08.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
They can't make the ponies a bit more fresh as the ponies are the ones they use to teach a small flappy child to ride on, they need to be totally chilled, they get in the routine so much when a mor experienced/older rider gets on they just think they have to act the same like in the routine so you have to work extra hard to get what you want out of them. To be honest this is what makes the school ponies such good teachers. They teach you how to use your legs! Then when they go their ofen hard mouths teach you brakes on the stronger ponies. Without school ponies i am sure i wouldn't be half the rider i am now! I think you should ride the ponies as much as your instructor allows you, it will improve your riding sooooo much! :)

At 21:45:43 on 09.08.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
amen to that jess haha the difficult ones teach you the most. and when you improve its soo much fun to get on the ponies and have a play :D