I might have a pony to back, now I've been out of breaking for few years so just fishing for any "new" ideas that are coming around. The pony is mouthed and lightly backed (sat on, walking, bit of trotting but obv still very green) but hasn't been lunged/long reined etc. If it goes ahead, I plan to take him back to scratch and teach him to lunge first under saddle, then with weight bags strapped on before introducing the "scary" things such as carrier bags full of straw tied on to de-sensetize it to flapping, walk it over tarpaulins, poles etc etc and generally introduce him anything and everything. He has done a little in hand showing, and is pretty well handled - he will stand fairly well to be groomed; not too keen on his back legs being brushed yet and fidgets but this will come with practice. He stands tied up, wears a rug, picks up his front feet (as I mentioned he is still a bit funny about his backs).
ETA: I will be doing everything but sitting on him...at almost 5'11" I think I might be a touch too tall for him at 13hh!!
ETA: I will be doing everything but sitting on him...at almost 5'11" I think I might be a touch too tall for him at 13hh!!