A few questions

Lily121 · 07-03-2009, 11:09 AM

Ok well i have a few questions...

• my pony is VERY strong on soft ground, even though he is easy on hard ground, and most of the time i can keep him back as he is very forward. But sometimes he can be very skittish and i am not the strongest, nor the most heavy of people and i was wondering if anyone had any tips for slowing ponies down??

• He is a NIGHTMARE to catch from the pasture, as i am afraid he will get hurt if i keep a headcollar on (and i don't understand fieldsafe ones) and i usually resort to having to get him a carrot or some hay to tempt him towards me. However, i might be wrong in thinking this, but it just doesn't feel right getting him to come over using treats so i was wondering if anyone had any ideas?

Thanks for reading my nice big chunk

BarrelBaby18 · 07-03-2009, 01:55 PM

As for the catching thing, we had problems with my old horse, and what i would do was go out in the field, catch her, and walk her up to the barn, and let her go. than i would go do something, go back out, catch her bring her in, groom her give her a treet, throw her back out, catch her again, bring her half way up, let her go. catch her again, do something diff. etc. thats how we got her to be cought very easily.

I would keep a halter on him. always kept halters on my horses and nothing has ever happened.

as for slowing the horses down, im not really cathching what your trying to ask??

rider6592 · 07-03-2009, 02:01 PM

i never keep halters on my horses, but for your problem you may want a breakaway halter... i bought one beause i was worried about my horse getting caught on something when i wanted him to wear a halter. they have a leather strap that will break under pressure, so there isnt much too them, if they break it you can get replacments... i hope this helps a lil.

other than that i recomend just catching him and playing some games and ground work to keep him entertained so he wants to come up to you for interest in what you have for him... it worked for my boy, i would do some games with him and so he wouldnt dread comming to me to do work.

Lily121 · 07-04-2009, 01:18 AM

ok thanks

RansomRokz · 07-04-2009, 07:29 AM

Looks like you've got some good suggestions on catching your horse

As far as slowing him down, I suggest a lot of transitions. Start with walking, maybe trot a little, after a few strides walk, then throw in a halt. And just mix it up, never letting the horse get too far ahead of you. Eventually you'll be able to trot for longer periods of time in control. Then you can add in cantering. If you do this consistently for a while he should be more easily controlled.

The fact that he is skittish means you might want to do some desensitizing with him.

07-03-2009, 11:09 AM	#1
Lily121 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: England Posts: 33	A few questions Ok well i have a few questions... • my pony is VERY strong on soft ground, even though he is easy on hard ground, and most of the time i can keep him back as he is very forward. But sometimes he can be very skittish and i am not the strongest, nor the most heavy of people and i was wondering if anyone had any tips for slowing ponies down?? • He is a NIGHTMARE to catch from the pasture, as i am afraid he will get hurt if i keep a headcollar on (and i don't understand fieldsafe ones) and i usually resort to having to get him a carrot or some hay to tempt him towards me. However, i might be wrong in thinking this, but it just doesn't feel right getting him to come over using treats so i was wondering if anyone had any ideas? Thanks for reading my nice big chunk __________________ Pippin <3

07-03-2009, 01:55 PM	#2
BarrelBaby18 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pennsylvania--In the barn. Posts: 4,769 Images: 391	As for the catching thing, we had problems with my old horse, and what i would do was go out in the field, catch her, and walk her up to the barn, and let her go. than i would go do something, go back out, catch her bring her in, groom her give her a treet, throw her back out, catch her again, bring her half way up, let her go. catch her again, do something diff. etc. thats how we got her to be cought very easily. I would keep a halter on him. always kept halters on my horses and nothing has ever happened. as for slowing the horses down, im not really cathching what your trying to ask?? __________________ Proud To Own- Double L Last Award Gamer in training Far From Over- That's because we're horse people, not people people!

07-04-2009, 01:18 AM	#4
Lily121 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: England Posts: 33	ok thanks __________________ Pippin <3

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07-03-2009, 02:01 PM	#3
rider6592 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 319 Images: 14	i never keep halters on my horses, but for your problem you may want a breakaway halter... i bought one beause i was worried about my horse getting caught on something when i wanted him to wear a halter. they have a leather strap that will break under pressure, so there isnt much too them, if they break it you can get replacments... i hope this helps a lil. other than that i recomend just catching him and playing some games and ground work to keep him entertained so he wants to come up to you for interest in what you have for him... it worked for my boy, i would do some games with him and so he wouldnt dread comming to me to do work.

07-04-2009, 07:29 AM	#5
RansomRokz Full Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: On the back of a horse Posts: 82	Looks like you've got some good suggestions on catching your horse As far as slowing him down, I suggest a lot of transitions. Start with walking, maybe trot a little, after a few strides walk, then throw in a halt. And just mix it up, never letting the horse get too far ahead of you. Eventually you'll be able to trot for longer periods of time in control. Then you can add in cantering. If you do this consistently for a while he should be more easily controlled. The fact that he is skittish means you might want to do some desensitizing with him.