Penley's backing week!

[valerie n scout]

He's looking lovey, can't believe where the time has gone x

[dalesnfellfan]

Linda don't beat yourself up too much about it, we all make stupid mistakes. I did exactly the same thing when I was bringing Briallen back into work after her accident and I was hand walking her twice daily and she was being such a prat on the end of the leadrope.
First stupid mistake - I thought I'd give us both a bit of variety by longlining so, on my own I put long reins on and proceeded not to the small paddock but to the big field. All went well for a while when something spooked her and she whipped round and got the rein under her tail, she got away from me and galloped all the way back to Spud and round and round the small paddock in a panic with the reins chasing her. She was on box rest after a stifle op and was supposed to avoid anything more than a walk at all costs.

Second stupid mistake - I caught her and tried again this time in the small paddock, she almost immediately threw a strop and got away from me again and galloped up the narrow gap between the electric fence and the hedge, turned round at the end and galloped back again, jumped the tape and got the reins tangled and pulled out the post and went hurtling round trailing reins, post and tape. When I got hold of her I conceded it was not the best idea and not my finest hour, I worried myself stupid that it would have undone all good work my vets had done, but miraculously she remained sound, however I could not believe how stupid I'd been.

Go back a step tomorrow and build a bit of confidence and you'll probably find there's no harm done, can you longline him in a Dually halter or something similar to give his mouth time to heal?

When I backed Emerald I didn't really have any help so did a lot more short reining than long reining and taught her all the aids to go, stop, turn in this way on the ground first which she then had no problem transferring to the saddle when I got on her.

Tomorrow's another day, hope it goes better.

[harveydales]

Don't beat yourself up, you really are doing very well! It was bound to happen at some point and no harm was done. He has to learn and I bet you won't see those tiny cracks tomorrow. Perhaps they were there anyway! It sounds like you coped well and it all ended on a good note which is the main thing. Vasaline or similar tomorrow. He will have had the night to think about it all and I'm sure it will go well tomorrow.

[colmworthdales]

I have never had much luck when trying to longrein a young pony, so I just do not try! I find I have much more control on a lunge with the pony working in a circle. Suppose it only works if you have a school, or at least a small fenced area to control them in. You can get a lot more variety into the work and get much easier changes of pace, etc. Also if the pony throws a strop, or gets frightened it is a lot more difficult for them to break loose with all the potential dangers that can happen with long lines flapping around behind them.

Good luck with Penley, there will definitely be set backs with your breaking him, but do not try to go too quickly. Also definitely you must have someone who knows what they are doing to lead him when you first sit on him. Gradually you can start doing the steering and halts, etc, but you (and the pony) needs the assurance of another person alongside. That way you will be less nervous and so the pony will not sense your tense muscles and the end result is much more likely to be happy and positive.

[jap]

so he is testing you, sounds about normal for backing.you did right to make him carry on so that you ended up doing what you wanted, not what he wanted.today is another day, so carry on with the long reining as we find it is so important.

[jap]

lol, I hadn't seen there was another page so didn't realise there were some helpful comments already here. as Pam says just put some Vaseline he shouldn,t be pulling you round so just a light contact wont hurt him.

[zeldalithgow]

All ended well, you got him doing what was intended, don't put yourself down you are doing great

[dalesponyrider]

Day Five


I am so grateful for your encouragement guys and also for my absolutely fab friend Pam! (Harveydales.)

Pam came over, we put vaseline on his bit and popped the bridle back in as no sign of any damage to his lips today.

Took him to paddock, Pam leading and me on long lines attached to bit again. Did some stands and felt like I'd got my good pony back! Did some work in the paddock with Pam leading and no problems at sll. I wimped out at doing it without leading today as I wanted another good day under my belt. Had another little sit and walked him from mounting block to tie up, no problem and all very relaxed!

Hurrah! Thank God for good friends!

[Tynedale]

Well done, you can do it.

[colmworthdales]

Yhat sounded a lot more positive. Well done for keeping it up, and also for bringing in Pam. Very good idea. Hope you can both move forward now he (and you) have had that hiccup.

[Deleted]

That's great Linda. I can't believe he is five already.

I hope the rest of the week goes well.
Jacqui

[tinkerdorisalison]

its all sounding good Linda, sitting on is the easy bit

I would agree, repetition is the key, make sure your whoa/stand/left and right voice commands are spot on, then it all helps when you are on board

[dalesnfellfan]

Thats brilliant, I think you did absolutely the right thing by taking a step back and getting a good day under your belt, well done both of you, and Pam of course, isn't it wonderful to have good friends.

[dalesponyrider]

Day Six

Penley did some very serious training today. I will let Gill put a photo up!

[dalesponyrider]

It's a serious training technique called latent learning, where you leave the pony to think about what it's done!

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