What can you do with your horse who can’t be ridden?
Do you own your childhood pony, a retired horse or a Shetland that just lives life in the field? Do you not know what to do with them? I have constructed together some ideas for you. Read about them below:
Liberty/ trick training
One of the things you could do with your pony is a bit of liberty/ trick training. Teach them some tricks to impress your horse friends such as rearing, paw, handshake, etc or do some work in the school getting them to follow you, move away from pressure, etc. If you want to take it up, consider finding an instructor to teach you and your pony the ropes.
Pamper sessions
If they are a field kept pony this is something you don’t want to do too often but if they need a groom give them a pamper session. You might even want to plait them up and scratch their favourite spots. If it is warm in summer, they may be needing a clip or just a bath.
In hand showing
This is something you can do all year round. If you fancy winning a few rosettes, do some shows. Attend a local show, you don’t have to travel far, and since it is competition season at the moment, why not! You may feel like you need a bit of practise first and that is fine.
Desensitization
Desensitizing your pony to different scary objects has many benefits. Do some work with them in the school, getting them used to things like umbrella’s, horseboxes, etc. Not only will it improve your bond and the trust they have in you, but also their bravery and inquisitiveness.
Hacking
Get them out seeing the world and take them on a hack. It might be around the yard, to see places they might not have before, or a slightly longer one, through the village or town. If you have another horse who is ridden, then you could also take them out on a ride and lead whilst hacking.
Pole work and handling
You can use the same exercises for your ridden horses with your others. Lead them through some funky shapes and different strided poles. In hand pole work as benefits too. Take this time to do some handling and ask them to halt in the middle and do transitions without. If they need to loose a bit of weight, do some lunging over them as well.
Chase me Charlie
Have a competition with your friends and do a Chase me Charlie. Set up a fence and a small height and jump over it with your pony. Raise the jump when you clear it and see who wins.
A dressage competition or show jumping comp
This one is for at home. You could do a dressage comp on foot and run along side them or set out a show jumping course and lead them around it. Your friends could participate too, and you could ask one of them to play the judge and give you marks for movement.
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Bye!
The Equestrian Blogger
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