I would not venture to suggest that there is the standard formula to preparing a pony for riding. Every horse is an individual in its own right, and you have to work with each pony according to its nature. You also need to take under consideration regular changes in the current circumstances. Occasionally, circumstances can change every day for a young pony.
Here are some steps which will help you ease your horse into its first ride. While these are steps that have worked habitually for me, I should remind you that every pony has his or her own quirks, and so you may need to do some changing here and there.
Step 1: Let your pony get acquainted with a saddle pad. Be sure to do this in a circular pen after you have your pony on a halter and a lead rope. Introduce the pad casually to your pony. Let him nudge and smell it. The idea is to get him acquainted with it. Rub him softly all over his body with the pad, especially on the neck, the back and the hindquarters. Be certain to cover both sides of the pony with the same motions. Don't go to the very next step until you have the distinct impression your horse is happy with the pad. Lay the pad on his back delicately without any abrupt motions and retreat. After a while take away the pad. Lay it on your horse again. Take it off, keep repeating. When you're reasonably sure your pony is relatively used to the pad, walk him around a bit with the pad on. Take the pad off and rub him down a bit, before putting the pad back on. Be patient, and repeat this as many times as necessary until you are feeling your pony has become just about unexcited by the pad. Remember, haste at all stages may destroy everything you have achieved until then.
Step 2: You are ready to bring on the saddle now. Get your pony used to it just like you did with the pad: never hurrying, always persist. Use your right hand to hold the saddle, with the lead rope in the left hand. Once you are positive the saddle causes no further apprehension in your horse, it's saddling time. With a swift but gentle motion, get the saddle onto your horse's back. Take it off and retreat. Do this many times, with a rub down or two to keep your pony calm. When you believe that it is time, put on the saddle with the aim of cinching it. If your horse is in motion, yield the hindquarters to bring him to stillness. Be sure to knot the cinches tight so they don't drop and spook him.
Step 3: Get around to your horse's right. Let the cinches down easily. Get back to your horse's left, Now with total confidence walk back on the left hand side of your horse and take hold of the cinch with your left hand without looking down. In easy motions, take hold of the latigo and tighten up the cinches. Don't make them too tight, but sufficient so that the saddle will not roll around to the base of the horse's torso. That would quite probably be tragic. If there is another back cinch, tighten that too, again, not very tight, but satisfactory to ensure the pony won't snag his rear leg. Typically a back cinch functions to stop jumping of the saddle. Never forget: keep your cool, and more important, make sure the horse keeps his cool. Back off briefly at the smallest sign your horse is getting upset.
Step 4: When you've saddled and cinched the horse, stand loosely next to him and let him acclimatize to the saddle. Don't be in a rush to move him or yourself. When you consider that he's relaxed sufficiently, walk him a touch, then come to a halt. If he starts bucking let him, just get out of the way. When he has the kinks worked out, return to him and give him a rub to soothe him.
You have just saddle-broken your horse.
Here are some steps which will help you ease your horse into its first ride. While these are steps that have worked habitually for me, I should remind you that every pony has his or her own quirks, and so you may need to do some changing here and there.
Step 1: Let your pony get acquainted with a saddle pad. Be sure to do this in a circular pen after you have your pony on a halter and a lead rope. Introduce the pad casually to your pony. Let him nudge and smell it. The idea is to get him acquainted with it. Rub him softly all over his body with the pad, especially on the neck, the back and the hindquarters. Be certain to cover both sides of the pony with the same motions. Don't go to the very next step until you have the distinct impression your horse is happy with the pad. Lay the pad on his back delicately without any abrupt motions and retreat. After a while take away the pad. Lay it on your horse again. Take it off, keep repeating. When you're reasonably sure your pony is relatively used to the pad, walk him around a bit with the pad on. Take the pad off and rub him down a bit, before putting the pad back on. Be patient, and repeat this as many times as necessary until you are feeling your pony has become just about unexcited by the pad. Remember, haste at all stages may destroy everything you have achieved until then.
Step 2: You are ready to bring on the saddle now. Get your pony used to it just like you did with the pad: never hurrying, always persist. Use your right hand to hold the saddle, with the lead rope in the left hand. Once you are positive the saddle causes no further apprehension in your horse, it's saddling time. With a swift but gentle motion, get the saddle onto your horse's back. Take it off and retreat. Do this many times, with a rub down or two to keep your pony calm. When you believe that it is time, put on the saddle with the aim of cinching it. If your horse is in motion, yield the hindquarters to bring him to stillness. Be sure to knot the cinches tight so they don't drop and spook him.
Step 3: Get around to your horse's right. Let the cinches down easily. Get back to your horse's left, Now with total confidence walk back on the left hand side of your horse and take hold of the cinch with your left hand without looking down. In easy motions, take hold of the latigo and tighten up the cinches. Don't make them too tight, but sufficient so that the saddle will not roll around to the base of the horse's torso. That would quite probably be tragic. If there is another back cinch, tighten that too, again, not very tight, but satisfactory to ensure the pony won't snag his rear leg. Typically a back cinch functions to stop jumping of the saddle. Never forget: keep your cool, and more important, make sure the horse keeps his cool. Back off briefly at the smallest sign your horse is getting upset.
Step 4: When you've saddled and cinched the horse, stand loosely next to him and let him acclimatize to the saddle. Don't be in a rush to move him or yourself. When you consider that he's relaxed sufficiently, walk him a touch, then come to a halt. If he starts bucking let him, just get out of the way. When he has the kinks worked out, return to him and give him a rub to soothe him.
You have just saddle-broken your horse.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers go here
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers go here
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