Problem leading in from the field,any advice?

[Mirage]

I'm struggling a bit with dpony at the minute.She is very easy to catch-just stands and waits for me.But when I try and lead her into the yard,she plants her feet,jerks her head about and does a little dance on her forelegs as if about to rear.She'll eventually walk on, as I refuse to give in to her,then she'll do the same thing as we enter the yard to be tried up.She did rear up when the girl who helps out gave her a smack with the leadrein to get her going.

Last week,as we walked into the yard,my neighbour appeared around the side of a stable wearing a WW2 gas mask[he was creosoting] and dpony screeched to a halt looking absolutely terrified.He apologised and whipped it off,but I think that she remembers it and that is why she's reluctant to go into the yard now -the problem started the next time I tried to walk her in after that..I'm loath to smack her to get her to move if she is genuinely scared,plus I know she will rear up now.She is fine being led elsewhere,back into the field,into the menage ect-it is jus from the field to the yard.

I've tried backing her up,the theory being that she'll give in because it's easier to go forward than back,but don't know if that is the right approach.I haven't given in to her,but the faffing about is eating into our limited after school riding time.

If anyone has any advice or pointers,I'd be grateful.
Thankyou

Yes of course try a bridle before a chiffney. It is a last resort I agree, but I have no qualms about using one if I need to.

If in emergency in a head collar I would wrap the rope round the nose then through headcollar again - in extremis even through the mouth like a bit. Get my elbow right into the neck and hang on bloody tight.

Thankyou all.We think she is in season,there are no obvious signs,but her sides seem tender and she is very grumpy.When I went to lead her in yesterday,she tried to back up,so I stayed looking ahead,repeated 'walk on' in a stern voice and just swung the end of the lead rein behind me.She walked forward immediately,no mucking about and was perfectly well behaved for our hack out.DD2 [6] rode her back into the yard and we had no trouble.

Today she tried to plant,but I did the same thing,didn't even have to move the rope and she walked on [did try and bite me though].She stopped at the yard gateway,but another stern word and she went in with no messing.

I'll certainly try the leadrein over the nose if we have any further trouble,that is a good tip.

Thanks again,I appreciate your help.

Well,I had a very interesting conversation this morning.The BHS rang me because,apart from the first person to register dpony,none of her subsequent owners ever has,and she can't be transferred into my name unless the first person signs a transfer form.The first owner is about 15 miles from me,so I rang her to ask if she'd sign the form.She was lovely and remembered dpony immediately,and said that she'd sold her to a person on the yard she still owns.She said that she thinks the person she sold her to never registered as her owner because dpony could be a 'little naughty' and she didn't want to be associated with dpony! I asked what form this 'naughtiness' took,and the answer was catching,leading and boxing,in fact she said that she always had to catch and bring dpony in because the new owners couldn't.

I explained that I'd recently had a problem leading dpony,and she told me exactly what to do with her and if I had any more problems,she'd be happy to come over and give me some help.She was really pleased that dpony was still around and said that children never had an problems leading her,and that she never put a foot wrong anywhere when ridden and was the perfect child's pony.

I did what she said and dpony behaved perfectly.I've never had a problem [yet] boxing and catching her,but feel a whole lot better that there is someone who understands her and will come and help if need be.

Thats good, may I ask what you did?

Sorry, no I meant Mirage I should have clarified but I was typing in a rush. so sorry

Though it sounds like you have worked wonders with your mare, she sounds like a nightmare at the beginning, so im really glad you managed to sort out her problems.

Dont be daft, it was interesting, it shows how far hard work can get you instead of writing a horse off.

The pony(ies) in your profile? Is that the same pony but with summer/winter coats? Or am I being silly and its two different ponies?

Korma,that is an amazing story,quite inspiring.I'd like to try join up but am worried about getting it wrong and making things worse.We've been away for a few days and she has lead the girl who has been riding her and caring for her a merry dance,behaving like a dream one minute and very naughty the next.She is meant to be going hunting on Friday,that'll be interesting!

Semper,all I did was walk up to her,chatting inanely,[the chatting was to cover my nerves,I was trying not to shake with fear]pat her neck whilst clipping on the leadrein and just staying back by her shoulder as I asked her to walk on.I didn't make eye contact at all and didn't get in front of her-apparently they are the two things she really hates and that worry her,hence the rearing.When she stopped,I stopped with her and didn't try and force things.After a second or two's hesitation she was happy to carry on.

She is a funny thing and doesn't appear to like fussing,grooming or attention much at all.She likes food and hacking and that is it really.I've been to see her tonight after being away since Saturday and she neighed and did seem pleased to see me.But I guess that she must trust me a bit because when the girls are riding her and I'm walking next to her,she has never got scared of anything to the extent of rearing,bolting or going sideways.Yet the girl who helps me has ridden her past the same things and dpony has been really scared and danced about all over the place.All we get is a bit of snorting and eyerolling.