Grooming and in hand suggestions (new owner)

[MsGee]

Hi,

We have now had our lovely pony for about a month and now the initial terror of ownership has wore off, and xmas was over, we are starting to settle into a routine. Our pony is 8 (Welsh / Arab), but very green and needs to learn how to behave in hand - he is not 'bad' just not used to riding school routine and lacks some general manners, so will push me and my daughter around if he thinks he can.

We are planning to spend extra days down the yard not riding him, and our trainer suggested grooming and in hand work - and I wondered if anyone had any suggestions for particular activities.

My thoughts so far are just

• teaching him to stand nicely being groomed, so me holding him and talking to him whilst daughter grooms (although he does tend to move around a lot and make it as difficult as possible which I struggle to tackle). He is not super fluffy and I did read Arabs have thinner skin so have got a grooming mitt which might be nicer for him?
• painting hooves with hoof oil also been suggested but thought I might wait till farrier has been and check with him?
• walking around the school with his bridle or head collar on, just doing basic moves, such as getting used to the bits of the school he seems most scared of (far end, section nearest road), and then doing some circles, or going through dressage routines to keep him thinking (too much?)
• walking up and down the track near the yard, just to get him used to walking in hand and not spooking at things, or trying to follow every pony / horse he sees...

Does this all sound like a good plan - is there anything else I should be doing?

The suggestions about making him lead around nicely and giving him plenty of instructions are good ones but if he’s pushing you around then you’ll need to deal with it confidently now, or risk escalating any potential problems.

So if he’s moving around a lot when being groomed, then this suggests anxiety and (sorry to be blunt) but standing talking to him while your daughter grooms isn’t likely to solve the problem at this stage.

For the very basics, you should be able to have the pony move in any direction - forwards, backwards, sideways and travel at the pace you set, regardless if he’s in a familiar place and regardless of other horses being around or not. No barging, pick his feet up politely, lower his head when asked etc etc.

You could ask your trainer to give you some basic lunge lessons and maybe have a look at online resources for groundwork specialists too. Kelly Marks and Warwick Schiller are good ones but there are plenty of others and I’m sure you’ll get other suggestions.

All of this will stand you in good stead for when you’re ready to ride. And standing still nicely tends to work itself out when you’re all feeling happy and confident (I’d actually worry about this bit last to be honest).

Enjoy your pony - he sounds lovely!

Thank you - I appreciate blunt!

I do feel like a total novice - we loaned a riding school pony before but this one is so totally different I feel like I am starting from scratch.

I have been on the leading issues from the get go because I knew I couldn't let it continue - he used to drag me to grass and refuse to move and I have stopped that (along with eating everyone's hay he passes), and when we walk I can get him to halt, then walk on fairly well - although he occasionally has a go. He is well aware that my daughter (11) is smaller and less strong though, so we are doing little and often with her so that he doesn't have the opportunity to push her about. So it sounds like we do more of this and don't worry about fidgeting for now.

I don't ride at all (and no plans to!) and my daughter has a couple of group lessons a week and on the weekend I take her on hacks with me walking with her - till it is lighter we are a bit limited. He is going out in the field with the other boys next week which will help him too. He is very green but I can see some progress already to be honest - he is keen and everyone says not remotely naughty - just needs to be taught! On hacks my daughter focuses on teaching him basics - walk, then halt, then walk, then walk to the left or right. He has spooked a few times, and gets distracted by other ponies, but doesn't bolt and she controls him well.

Thanks for this - it is reassuring that we are perhaps on the right track and just need to do more (and be patient). Is there anything we can do to make him less anxious, other than being more confiden ourselves and building that bond?

I've walked the ex racer I ride out in hand on a normal hacking route before. In windy weather when I know he'll be a bugger if I ride, and when we were just getting used to each other. Great for bonding, treats and trust building. Also helps get them used to leading from the off side too as you walk between them and traffic.

Groundwork can be really helpful in schooling any horse but particularly children's ponies. However like any other kind of training (of animals or people!) it needs knowledge, skill and good timing to get it right so (not meaning any disrespect to your instructor) I'm not sure just saying 'groundwork and grooming' to a novice-ish mum was the best advice!

Re grooming, it can be a lovely relaxing bonding experience for horse and rider but its not universally so, some horses just don't ever enjoy it and some only come to like it once they are relaxed in their surroundings and trust their human. Yes horses bond by grooming each other naturally but always whilst loose and free to back away/flee (horses are always more comfortable with an escape route as prey/flight animals), plus there are a whole set of body language and hierarchy-based communications and 'rules' horses use when in each others space that we as humans barely understand or can mimic. Being groomed by a child tied up in a yard is a whole other game to a horse, and I'm not sure he'll necessarily find you holding his head and talking to him reassuring. I know your DD is probably mad keen to spend hours fussing him and making him pretty (yes I was a pony mad girl too once!) but I think she may have to wait a while for this until he's more chilled. For now I would just do the minimum grooming you need to so he is comfortable to ride/healthy, preferably with him distracted by a haynet or a licky toy if he likes them. Short repeated sessions rather than long occasional ones, forget about hoof paint etc - it makes their feet shiny and can be good for hoof condition but hardly essential and having things done with their feet can be really stressful for nervy horses (as again it blocks their flight ability) so to be minimised for the time being. You can praise him for standing still if/when he does so, but probably if he dislikes the process the best reward is to remove the pressure - so try and aim to finish grooming before he starts fidgeting and certainly before he gets worked up! You can do more and more gradually as he relaxes and settles.

One of the best 'horsemanship' lessons your DD can learn is to do everything she needs to around the horse in a calm, efficient and speedy manner without rushing manner - one of the best lessons in riding (and life!) my very strict ex military riding instructor taught me as a child many years ago was to never 'faff', have your routine for everything you do whether bringing in from field, tacking up, mounting, whatever and execute it efficiently in the same way every time - if you ever have the chance to see a real horseman at work you'll notice how this calm routine causes the horse to relax as well!

For actual groundwork for training, can you longline (where you walk behind the horse with two long lead reins/line going to the horses mouth, one on each side? If not I would get someone to teach you as I find it no question the best way of getting young, nervy or kids ponies out and about from the ground. You are in a far better position to maintain control with the two lines than with a simple lead rein or even bridle and something about it seems to give horses confidence. It would be great to long rein him around the school, up and down the lanes etc and good for building his trust. You can also teach him 'stand', back up, turns command on a long line which may be helpful for his fidgetting and also for when your DD rides.

Good luck! It sounds like you are doing all the right things!

You'll need lots of patience and firmness.

Welsh you say.

Haha, I wasn't going to say but I thought that as well. Welsh x Arab is a super cross, lovely looking and moving animals, usually very long lived and sound too, but 2 sharp, stubborn, intelligent, sensitive, bossy breeds crossed on top of one another... well let's just say I hope OP and her DD have a sense of humour and a great deal of persistence!

thank you, excellent advice - I think the routine focus will help a lot. DD and I tend to get a bit anxious ourselves as we are wary of doing things wrong but we are getting into a routine with him so can work on this more.

I can't longline, but I have talked to one of the instructors about teaching me ground work so I will ask for help with this. In the meantime I might minimise the stress by focusing on a quick groom and then walking round the school with his headcollar on, and build up from there, focus on getting the basics right and removing stress on everyone.

I really appreciate the advice - everyone at the yard is helpful but I am so aware of being clueless and always asking for help. I am struggling with learning something from scratch at this point in life but suspect it is a good lesson for me!

If you are a novice owner - I would say that you will need some support of a very experienced horse person to help you with these issues. Teaching manners on the ground is a skill just like riding.
I say this from experience- of being responsibly experienced owner - but not used to travelling horses/ponies alone and completely mucking up the loading, when I had to do it by myself. We used Rob Leese (he's on Facebook) - he was so great I then used him to do some groundwork lessons for the kids.
You could battle on, and may get there- but welsh Arab cross will be intelligent, maybe a little bolsey and most certainly have the potential to be sharp - I would be opting to stay one step in front of him/her!

I’m suspicious of a green 8 year old.

But then I’ve got history with an 8 year old Welsh x Warmblood.

Re the anxiety, being calm, firm and consistent is really important. Also patience - a green horse without much life experience may take 6 - 12 months to truly feel at home and bond with you. I think a lot of people under-estimate how unsettling a move can be for them.

Don’t be discouraged by the green 8 yo idea or even the Welsh/Arab aspect - it can work if you get the right professional help.

Sounds like you’re on the right track - you already have a trainer and the pony isn’t too bad. But you do need to nip those little things in the bud and set boundaries right from the start.

Happy horse ownership - you and your daughter are about to learn a lot!

Definitely something you want to nip in the bud quickly as a but pushy can turn into bargy and dangerous.

Ideally, getting regular sessions with a trainer would help but I know that's not always feasible.

There are some good books out there - Kelly marks has some good ones with lots of exercises to work on.

If he's towing you about get some sort of control halter and work with that too establish some manners.

He might just be trying it on - my mare was a bargy witch when she first arrived but I'm used to bargy cobs so put a dually halter on, did some basic ground work and within a week she was foot perfect and had been since - she was just testing the boundaries with a new owner.

Good luck with it!

At 8 years old your pony must be familiar with being groomed. I think standing and holding him (and sweet talking him) is a bad idea. Tie him up, with a small hay net if it helps, and just get on with it. He sounds to me like he is taking the mick, and he will only become more of a micky taker unless you indicate from your behaviour that it will not be tolerated.
You say he seems scared of one part of the school. By taking him over to examine it, you may just be confirming in his own mind that, yes, there is something there because you are making a fuss about it. You and your daughter have to learn to be the boss of this pony. This does not involve any harsh words or actions, but showing that you are confident, and handling in a confident way. Give clear commands, like move over, or stand still for example, and make sure they are obeyed. This might mean you have to physically push him over to one side in the stable, but if you have given the command, he must comply. This might all sound a bit hard, but ponies (especially those with Welsh roots!) need guidance, consistency and a fair degree of determined firmness otherwise they will walk all over you. Watch some of the experienced grooms at work and you will see they work with a quiet, no nonsense efficiency. Some lessons in stable management may help.

Thanks everyone. I have had a bit of a weekend which I don't really want to go into on a public forum, realised I need help from staff at the school or I risk letting him get the upper hand totally and me not being in control of him. I will be booking lessons ASAP - I am determined, but at the same time have to admit my confidence has taken a knocking.

In the nicest possible way, I'd be questioning whether a green pony (particularly one of this breeding) is the right choice for your family at the minute.

I know you're getting help, but equally allowing this situation to go on might not be in the best interest of anyone involved

What badgersandwich said....only you know if its worth it or not. I am a big believer in making a commitment to an animal and sticking to it where possible. But sometimes you just don't get the right "fit" with a pony and need to make a change. It doesn't mean you're giving up - it means doing the best for both the pony and yourself/your family.

Whatever route you go down best of luck. Please let us know how you are getting on

I am sorry you had a bad experience, horses can be frightening and things get out of control in a matter of seconds. You are doing the best thing in getting help.

When you say he is going out in the field with the other boys next week does that mean he has been kept in the stable 24/7? If this is the case it will certainly contribute to the problems (if not even cause them). If he also just gets hacked in walk and does little work in the school because he is spooky he will need a bit of proper work to get the umph out of him.

Hi,

A quick update - I do appreciate all the input. I have no doubt that he is a fab pony and right for DD, so don't want to give up on him.

I should clarify he is not totally green (I probably should not have said very green, more that it feels that given I only know riding school ponies), but he is not a riding school pony (think he was a lead rein pony). Equally, I am not a total novice (have helped at stables on weekends for a few months, helping with the riding school ponies - tacking up, turning out etc.) - but the transition from riding school ponies who behave has been a learning curve. No one at the yard has said he is too much for us - more that I need to work at it and that DD is more than capable.

The good news is that he is much calmer now he is in a field (previously in a paddock for a few hours a day but not with others), I have sought advice on suitable headcollar and have in hand lessons booked. In the meantime the yard is kindly giving me more support.

He was good in his lessons this week, no problems, and I feel more confident now that I can put in the work and suceed.

Thanks for updating - if it's any comfort, everyone I know who has made the transition from riding school horse/pony to one of their own has found it a struggle no matter how well prepared they were and how suitable the horse. So don't feel alone! It sounds like you have the right help and support in place and I would have thought proper turnout with some friends will do wonders for the pony. Lots of horses/ponies take months until they are truly settled in a new yard and new routines so you'll need to be patient but I'm sure he'll get there. Do keep us updated. All the best!

Thank you - I am beginning to realise that this is normal teething issues, rather than me being totally out of my depth!

Things are progressing really well.

The combination of support, extra effort from me and some in hand lessons is working well. I should have done all this at the start really, but it is paying off now - he is a quick learner and really lovely. I feel much better now, my joy at being around him has returned and my confidence is on its way back. DD is loving it all too - he is calm on hacks and doing so well in lessons. He has a lovely temperament, he just needs a confident owner - which I am becoming! I am definitely besotted with him and not at all considering bunking off work occassionally to spend time with him on my own

Well done! It’s a steep learning curve! I remember the first year with my own horse was a huge eye opener despite having ridden for years.

Glad to hear things are coming on well. Stick with it!