Groundwork for small/young pony

[Wrapunzel]

We've had DD7's pony about 6 months. She's a reactive, sharp little welsh mare also aged 7 who we think has been bombed around a bit by a teenage rider as her previous small owner found her too much and got someone else to ride her.
She's constantly hollow and not tracking up, and her back seems to be a bit weak as a result. DD has regular lessons (but only pony club rally plus monthly pony club dressage) and I've also done a couple of groundwork and lunge sessions with her with my dressage instructor who recommended a change of saddle from the one she came with so she's got a perfect 14" little saddle now (expensive lunge lesson, that!)

We started treat stretches between her legs at the weekend and will be doing those before every ride as looked really effective for strengthening her core. She was very flexible in side stretches. I'll also be asking DD to aim for relaxation, she's not nervous of her reactive nature.
Is there a youtube or insta account anyone could recommend for more groundwork exercises? Bonus if DD can do them with her for added bonding.

I’m old, so it may not be super engaging content for a teenager but I really rate kelly marks books/general content

thank you! DD is only 7 so it'll be me doing the reading for now but will have a look! Just had a nose on H&H old posts too and found recommendations for Richard Maxwell, Straightness Training and some exercises to start with

I think you can over complicate these things and there certainly aren't easy shortcuts, lots of gradual, correct work is the way - the best thing you can do to build functional strength and fitness really is plenty of hacking, ideally up and down hills and over different terrains which can be done in hand or on long-lines as well as ridden - does the pony hack well or is she strong/reactive outside the arena as well as in? Can you put her on long lines or lead from another horse?

For in the arena work I think the most important thing for child and pony is to keep it fun and varied with pony consistently going in a nice quiet, relaxed way rather than specific exercises - polework is good though, in walk and trot if you are working from the ground although again ridden is fine too and then you can introduce some canter poles too - you can lay them out in straight lines, curves/fans, make a 'course' with figure eights, serpentines, dog legs etc - raised poles or cavaletti are also good to get the push from behind.

If you can teach her to long line rather than lunge I think that is the best form of groundwork for a weak, sharp horse - it's too easy for them to hooly around on the lunge and small circles are bad for their joints.

Sorry I misread your post and didn’t realise they were both 7!

Thank you maxelly
She lunges like a dream so I think the last owners used to lunge her to get some zoomies out I haven't ever long lined but have a youngster (rising 3) so need to learn anyway. I'll ask my instructor to teach me ar our next session.
We don't have a proper arena, only a bit of the field but should be able to use that soon now it's drying out and can get some fun exercises going in a contained space rather than me being a bit worried on a hack from a vantage point on my own spicy big horse!

It wasn't too clear! Ordered a second hand book so will read when it arrives, thank you.