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Post by NFK Dumpling on Mar 5, 2008 17:49:40 GMT -1
Does anyone have some suggestions for obstacles and things to do with young ponies before they are backed?
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Post by SuzieP on Mar 6, 2008 11:50:20 GMT -1
Gill (greydales) could give some good advice on this - she has her filly, Cherry, doing all sorts of things which will help when she's fully ridden. If I can find the videos she posted (or if Gill reads this and can post them) I'll add a link.
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Post by NFK Dumpling on Mar 6, 2008 13:58:53 GMT -1
Thank you  |
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Post by Debbie on Mar 6, 2008 14:14:03 GMT -1
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Post by Anna on Mar 6, 2008 15:24:55 GMT -1
Anything and everything Mandy, we have ours over poles, playing in the school, doing random obstacle courses like over sheets of plastic, past lots of scary objects like laddiers, umbrellas, carrier bags. Anything they are likely to meet as an adult. Like a gigantic game of handy pony, its amazing the stuff we subject ours too but they it rarely phases them and they love the attention. We also start the v.long preparation for backing by doing silly things like jumping up and down next to them, jumping off mounting blocks next to them, star jumps, waving arms about around them, we also sling our arm over them as they walk in and pat the other side so they are used to us being all over and around them. Believe me, it looks proper daft but none of ours are ever (and touch wood it continues!) bothered when it comes to backing them later in life and all this stuff helps prep. Only short 10 minute bursts mind, the attention span is pretty short in youngsters.
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Post by greydales on Mar 6, 2008 16:33:08 GMT -1
As Anna says, I do lots of handy pony stuff with them - some accept it better than others LOL! I've always jumped up and down beside them, bounced balls beside them, waved sheets and towels - anything which could be seen as scary.
I use the clicker with the youngsters and find it is very helpful.
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Post by broxdown on Mar 6, 2008 19:19:28 GMT -1
We start our off with a few lessons in hand in walk and trot. Next, a few low key shows to start them being accustomed to the hubbub of the show ground. Then on to walking out down quiet roads and tracks, progressing to busier areas of traffic. Traffic is usually every youngsters worst nightmare so if they can have a paddock abutting a road that is handy too. |
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Post by NFK Dumpling on Mar 7, 2008 10:38:37 GMT -1
My field is a good half mile from the road so it is quite an expedition to get there. However I thought if we took it steady Musky should be OK as he's 9 months old now? ETA We did it on Saturday, met my Sister-in-law, Mum, Dad and Nanny at the top of the drive, I don't think he actually noticed the traffic - only about three cars  . Only thing is now he's done it he wants to do it everyday and gets quite put out when I say no..... Now to work on trotting in hand, you never know I may get to a show this year  |
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