Pony won't hack alone - any tips

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I was advised that DD's new pony would not hack alone but that she was fine with either another horse or people walking with her. We tried out pony under both scenarios and I figured it would be a long time before DD, who is 8, would be going out on her own. However it seems that just me walking is insufficient company!

Its very odd but she will be walking along quite happily and then she just stops and refuses to move forward. She does not misbehave in any other way - just refuses to move! The first time she did this I waited until I had some back up and then I rode her (I'm a bit too big for her but don't think I'm going to hurt for short distances). I smacked her once with the whip behind my leg when she argued and was then able to get her to continue. She did argue several times after but I didn't need to use the whip again. However I don't know if this achieves anything long term - while I can get her to go she will still refuse with DD.

The last 2 rides we have progressed (we never let her turn around!) by DD getting off and me leading her - takes some persuasion but she will eventually move - and then I was able to lead her with DD sitting very still and not using her legs or voice. It sounds out but she seemed to sort of shut down the more encouragement DD gave her!

The really odd thing is that when she is going she seems very happy, alert and responsive. In fact at one point as soon as we got her to walk a couple of steps forward we asked her to trot and she happily trotted along the lane she had just refused to walk along!

So I am anyway in the process of getting my own horse which should help but in the meantime does anyone have any tips on how best to deal with this. My only strategy is to never give in ie we do not let her turn around!

In all other ways she is a very gentle and compliant pony!

Is it just at the beginning of the ride when she doesn't want to go out or does she leave the yard fine then start randomly playing up?

Both! First couple of times it was part way, after 10-15 minutes and at the weekend within minutes going up a field!

If there is no physical reason (arthritis? Sore feet?) the pony is napping. Ideally your DD needs to sort it out by giving her a gentle leg aid, the immediately a little kick, then immediately back that up with the stick. However your DD has to feel secure that she won't fall off if the pony shoots off or bucks as a response.

A pony that won't hack alone indicates a lack of confidence which is not ideal for a child's pony. The move to a new home may have unsettled her and affected her confidence even in a new home. Or she may be trying it on because she can.

Another strategy is for you to ride the pony exclusively on hacks for 2-3 weeks very forward going, getting her used to the hacks and hopefully she will get over it.

Either a quick sharp kick or flick to get her moving forwards and make sure you reward her when she does move off or just sit there and wait it out.

I've used both methods with success but have found that the wait it out has longer lasting results. I sat for 40 minutes once with an audio book on a horse that napped but you couldn't force as she would tear or spin. The time after was 5 minutes and then she never tried it again. This was a horse labelled as dangerous.

When my dd got her new pony, 6 months ago, she was completely different to how she'd been at her previous home. I think that some ponies take a long time to settle, so her behaviour could just be because she's not comfortable and relaxed. I'd spend a bit more time just letting her get used to you and building a bond with her.

My DDs pony is now fine and back to the way she was when we first got to know her with her previous owner - it has taken 6 months though!

Thanks for the ideas, its weird because she is willing in all other ways! We hacked out together at the weekend (I have a horse now, very excited!) and she was fine except for one point. We going down a track beside a grass/hay field and she went onto the grass. I said to DD that she must keep on the track as we mustn't trample the grass and so pony just stopped! DD tried with voice and legs but she wouldn't move. DD hasn't been carrying a stick but I think I will get her to from now on although the field probably isn't the place to try that.

I think we will slowly continue and give her time to settle in and everyone get more confident, we won't let her get away with it but we won't beat her up either. And then in a few weeks try some of the ideas above.

And Booboostoo I don't think there can be any physical reason because most of the time she goes so well.