How do I keep my pony on the track?
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July 19th, 2010
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hello asked:
The pony I ride never likes to stay on the track around the edge on the arena. I am squeezing with my inside leg to get her to go there when she comes off it but she doesnt always listen! Any suggestions?
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use a crop and hold it with your inside hand. when she goes to the outside give her a tap-use it as hard or as much as you need to. ponies are stubborn but if you keep after her then she should learn. don’t do any work in the middle of the ring for a while. just keep to the rail. good luck!
Aswell as using you inside leg you have to use your outside rein. If that doesn’t work then use a whip/crop on the inside hand and when she doesn’t respond to the inside leg rein then tap her with the whip/crop lightly and she should go back onto the track
Good luck x
If she doesn’t listen to the rein signals and crop method previously mentioned, make sure that you don’t let her stop there and rest. Rest along the track and if you are riding with a group set yourself up for success and ask everyone to stay out of the middle to aggravate any herd-bound mentality and don’t let your pony stop and stand with them while riding.
Just be persistent!
Use as much leg as you can and when she moves into the rail like you want, stop asking, let her stop and pat her. Then wait until she licks her lips, bobs her head or looks away before you have you move again. repeat and repeat until she gets it.
Just be patient and persistent. those are key things with horses/ponies.
Hope I helped
Aswell as the methods above, try using a schooling whip. Often a tickle behind your leg with the schooling whip is more effective than a whip and will help her move away from it and onto the track – it’s often more effective.
It takes an average of 21 times of doing something, daily, to make a habit. I would sugges that next time, don’t ride, walk her on the track, if she tries moving off of it, move closer to her. Use your body language, they can feel what you feel. If she persist, take her immediately and put her up. When she does good, keep praising and giving sugar cubes, carrot, pear, apple, etc. Always praise and reward until the are doing it without the treats. If your confused they know it, if you are sick they sense it and any animal (and our children) attitudes depend upon the owner. You have to let her know what is proper and what is not. If she continues to be stubborn, I would suggest tethering her where she can see the track and you ride another pony that will stay on it. It will SHOW her and it will show her that if she wants to be ridden by her owner, she will have to ride right.