Ponying 1.01
- Thread starter Jane&Ziggy
- Start date
Practice with a helper in the field at first, the ponied horses nose should stay around the shoulder of the leading horse, if they get eye level they’re more likely to race, and if they drag too far behind are more likely to get kicked or whip across to the wrong side of you and a lead rope across your back or under the lead horses tail can go very wrong very quickly.
Never tie the ponied horse on, if things go wrong and you feel at the point of no return, let them go. The loose horse will generally stop and wait if the lead horse remains under control and you absolutely do not want to get pulled off as you’d land between the 2 horses.
It’s best if your lead horse is able to be ridden one handed, you can ride 2 handed with the lead rope in the left hand with the rein, but if the ponied horse drags back or pulls forward you need to be able to effect their lead rope independently of the lead horses mouth so have to switch to one hand. I prefer to have a 10-12 ft lead rope, to give me some wiggle room if they mess about, I find a standard 6ft rope too short and I’m forced to let go more often.
Chances are a polo pony has definitely ponied in the past, so shouldn’t give you any bother. But it might take a little while for sid to learn either role, most horses aren’t used to working with another horse right in their bubble, that’s why the field practice is essential.
Never tie the ponied horse on, if things go wrong and you feel at the point of no return, let them go. The loose horse will generally stop and wait if the lead horse remains under control and you absolutely do not want to get pulled off as you’d land between the 2 horses.
It’s best if your lead horse is able to be ridden one handed, you can ride 2 handed with the lead rope in the left hand with the rein, but if the ponied horse drags back or pulls forward you need to be able to effect their lead rope independently of the lead horses mouth so have to switch to one hand. I prefer to have a 10-12 ft lead rope, to give me some wiggle room if they mess about, I find a standard 6ft rope too short and I’m forced to let go more often.
Chances are a polo pony has definitely ponied in the past, so shouldn’t give you any bother. But it might take a little while for sid to learn either role, most horses aren’t used to working with another horse right in their bubble, that’s why the field practice is essential.
Oh, just to add, I am not a fan of ponying in a bridle. The ponied horse is far more likely to pull back than run forwards, and you can easily drag the bit forwards and clonk the teeth which escalates the backwards pull, or worse snap the bridle, when they do. I find a rope halter the most effective, gives good control and is harder for the horse to lean against than a flat headcollar.
Also if you find a 10ft rope gives you too much to manage, a hair bobble or elastic trailer tie on your saddle D ring is great to tuck the tail into so you don’t have to hold it, but will let it pop out if you have to let go.
Also if you find a 10ft rope gives you too much to manage, a hair bobble or elastic trailer tie on your saddle D ring is great to tuck the tail into so you don’t have to hold it, but will let it pop out if you have to let go.
I have led a few times.
I took J out one with a shetland, the obvious being I would ride him and the Shetland would follow. But the Shetland was forward going and off in front of him, so I swapped round.
It was okay for some fun but if it had been a regular thing, I would have needed to educate the pair of them.
Go for whoever wants to be leading. Sid maybe happy with the other following, or be happier being the follower.
As Sid is ex riding school he may have been led. Saying that I don't see people doing this much these days. The schools seen to have a helper on the ground with the rider rather being on another horse. Maybe schools / trekking places don't ride and lead beginners anymore? Random thought.
I took J out one with a shetland, the obvious being I would ride him and the Shetland would follow. But the Shetland was forward going and off in front of him, so I swapped round.
It was okay for some fun but if it had been a regular thing, I would have needed to educate the pair of them.
Go for whoever wants to be leading. Sid maybe happy with the other following, or be happier being the follower.
As Sid is ex riding school he may have been led. Saying that I don't see people doing this much these days. The schools seen to have a helper on the ground with the rider rather being on another horse. Maybe schools / trekking places don't ride and lead beginners anymore? Random thought.
I can't remember the last time I saw anyone leading a horse from another horse out and about, with the exception of the grooms from our local polo yard, who will ride and lead 2 horses if they need to.
I have led and ridden. In the early days of having Billy, i rode chunky and led billy. But i did more riding Billy and leading chunky.
The hardest part is doing it being on the road. Hand signals were not easy as you have to have both in the one hand. Sods law one got more forward just at that moment as you were trying to signal.
It became harder to do as chunkys stride got shorter and he wanted to plod because of his arthritis. Billy wanted to always walk fast. Thats why i ended up on the way home throwing the lead over chunkys neck and letting him walk or trot back at his pace. This was only done on my quiet country lane or on the hill where we were off road.
The hardest part is doing it being on the road. Hand signals were not easy as you have to have both in the one hand. Sods law one got more forward just at that moment as you were trying to signal.
It became harder to do as chunkys stride got shorter and he wanted to plod because of his arthritis. Billy wanted to always walk fast. Thats why i ended up on the way home throwing the lead over chunkys neck and letting him walk or trot back at his pace. This was only done on my quiet country lane or on the hill where we were off road.
We were walking this morninig and met two child learner riders, each of them led out by an instructor on another horse, just slightly ahead. Both horses bridled of course. Our instructors always carried a coiled lead rope that could be attached to the student's horse if there was a crisis. I remember being greatly offended by being led back after one of the RS ponies bucked me off but was informed that it was the rule after a fall.
I think leading a ridden horse is very different to an unridden one though, even with a virtual non-rider you can still tell them what to do so they have some impact on the horse.
The ones that always amaze me are when I see kids on a lead rein from another horse out hunting! Mind you many many years ago it was common for a groom to ride at the back leading a spare horse for hunt staff or people who hunted hard.
But not relevant to what @Jane&Ziggy is looking at doing - at least I assume you aren't planning on leading Steve or going hunting with a spare horse, my total admiration if you do the latter!
The ones that always amaze me are when I see kids on a lead rein from another horse out hunting! Mind you many many years ago it was common for a groom to ride at the back leading a spare horse for hunt staff or people who hunted hard.
But not relevant to what @Jane&Ziggy is looking at doing - at least I assume you aren't planning on leading Steve or going hunting with a spare horse, my total admiration if you do the latter!
Sorry no use but my mum has lots of very amusing stories from when she used to ride and lead the RDA ponies across for their lessons through bushy park. I think her advice would be it's better to stay on the horse you are riding than hold on to the one you're leading if all goes pear shaped she's done some pony skiing doing the latter. They used to ride and then lead one either side and the horses had to burn off some energy before lessons so this would be walk, trot and canter.
she's done some pony skiing doing the latter. They used to ride and then lead one either side and the horses had to burn off some energy before lessons so this would be walk, trot and canter.
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