Would this help pony?

[belle]

I have a 15 year old pony who is very speedy and very worried when shes ridden. She was owned before by a racehorse trainer, and seems to think she is a racehorse, and gets stressed sometimes. I have brought her back into work slowly, starting with lungeing, and now gently schooling.

I just wondered whether riding western would be a calmer experience to her, and make her less worried, or whether it wouldnt make any difference at all?????

[floppy]

well for sure the western saddle will keep your more secure on her back! i think also you need a very quiet but confident person to ride her. It'll take time maybe wally or frances may have some useful tips..amongst other people :) outrider?
but i think it will give you the confidence to ride her..if you feel insecure with english tack
i know that western tack has given the horse i ride more confidence because you tend to slacken the reins off 99% of the time..where as when this other girl used to ride her english she always held the reins too short and the horse likes to have its head.

[Outrider]

The saddle won't make your pony any more secure, but if it makes YOU more secure as floppy suggests, then that confidence will certainly transfer to your pony. I would suggest using western tack for that reason. Also, what kind of bit are you using? I would suggest using a Tom Thumb or a long shanked broken curb to give you more control over his head. A horse that runs off with you has to be brought under control as soon as you can. To stop the bolt, turn the horse in a tight circle and make it tighter and tighter with each revolution. Keep us informed and Happy Trails!

[Wally]

Sounds like Ljóssie. He used to be as mad as a brush! Once your bum was in the saddle we were off. He didn't understand walk at all.
When he bolted it was through blind panic. I'm lucky to live where I do, when he went I had the luxury of sitting there talking sweet nothings to him until he stopped. Pulling and hauling made him worse, for a split second you have to put your foot on the accelerator and tell him that although you are doing 90 mph down the middle of the road that everything is fine you stay calm and go with him don't fight and panic, ask for slowing in short gentle moves then release, very easy to say but......

When I got him in the manége I got 10 minutes of build up to panic and then bolt. It has taken me 3 years of quiet working with him getting him used to walking. I have walked mostly for that time introducing tölt and trot in tiny amounts. It has paid off, I now have a little horse that can walk and is relaxed at walk, I can now ask him to do all sorts of stuff which used to make him panic, he can even do the odd flying change now. Yesterday I carried a schooling whip while riding him, unheard of 2 years back, I couldn't even ride out with Frances if she carried one!

These mega sensetive horses take time and need to take their confidence from their rider. Ride in whichever style you are confident in, this will pass to the horse. Go slowly walk, walk and more walk. Good luck!;)

[Shadowfox]

If your pony is supersensitive to your aids then western riding might be better. In western you have less direct contact of your legs on your pony (You still use your legs though). A good western horse will do everything you ask it to by neck reining ie you shouldn't see the bit move in the horses mouth by you pulling on it. If your pony is worried about bit contact then try western riding. Just be sure to have a good trainer teach your pony and you:)

[Sharon H]

It may help if you also get the pony thoroughly checked out for any physical problems such as teeth, back and saddle fitting. If she's in pain or remembers pain from being ridden before you had her, this might also make her worried and she will go into 'flight' mode.

[belle]

Sadly, my pony is on a rest after recently being diagnosed with bog spavin. She has finished a course of anti inflammatories, and the vet says she will be lame on and off for a year to a year and a half. Light work will be good for her when she isnt lame, so when she becomes sound, I will start some light work with her again.

Also, before when I was riding she had all her tack checked, and her back and teeth.