Two Faced Pony

lady dumpling · 08-21-2008, 03:29 PM

Daughter(12) is in her first year pony club and so far it's been fun.They have been learning a bit on jumping and dressage in their weekly lessons.Lessons haven't been consistant for different reasons missed a couple due to vacation and 4h camp,a few have been canceled for poor attendance.She has had her pony for a year now and is learning to ride on him ,we have worked through different issues with him,nut we always seem to have one.He is vey dominant and has bad ground manners with her so usually when he gets a bit stupid I u help her with him.I can just stand there and he changes his tune and lets her continue.Now my question is this when we take him to lessons he is always good never gets stupid under saddle,just trots around with his ears forward and tail up looking like a wonderful little guy.

At home when she is trying to work with him and practice

not the same cute little pony.As soon as she wants to change gaits usuall from trot to canter (starting now a bit on walk to trot)the ears pin he swishes his tail and starts acting real pony like.

.She has started carrying a crop and will give him a swat ,but usually her him and mom end up getting frustrated and things just get unproductive from there.She was riding him in an are that was a bit on the smaller side for a good canter so she has been riding him out in the open (still waiting to build the outdoor)This week her and her pony stayed at one of her girlfriend house and rode in their areana and they were just fine.She rode him at home today and was not just fine .I am at a loss with this and starting to wear down.Any one else have experiens with something like this?

AlbertaGirl · 08-21-2008, 03:33 PM

Is he maybe barn (home area) sour? Or buddy sour to your mare? I can't really think of any other reason why he would be so "challenging"

at home, and agreeable when away from home....

sli92 · 08-21-2008, 03:38 PM

is there somewhere on the far side of your property you can take him to ride? see if this does anything.

he might just enjoy your trailer? haha

maybe he hates ladybug? or if he can see her eating his food while he is working...?

I have no idea, very sorry.

trinabug · 08-21-2008, 03:38 PM

i agree ...sound like he might be sour....has he been rode outdoors anywhere else or just inside

Carri · 08-21-2008, 03:41 PM

It does sound like he is bored at home, and likes being ridden out where there is more going on. When she was at a friends house this week, was she riding with her friend? Maybe if there was another pony (or horse) being ridden, that makes a difference.

lady dumpling · 08-21-2008, 03:41 PM

I don't think he is buddy sour because we never have an issue with him leaving her and they have been seperated alot this summer he's been in the diet pen and away on sleepovers and pony camp.He never acts up to leave her or winnies to her or any thing that would indicate buddy sour. He loves walking around the farm alone also which i let her do with him to give him a break.Home sour

i don't know

lady dumpling · 08-21-2008, 03:44 PM

Carri I thought of that too so today I made my new years resolution to ride my own horse happen. I rode along with her on the Mare but I am far from ready to canter

,but we did walk and trot around the yard.

Carri · 08-21-2008, 04:11 PM

Was he better when you did that?

lady dumpling · 08-21-2008, 08:07 PM

No not really, but he was already suffering from Ponyitis so we just walked and trotted around.We rode out to where we will put the outdoor riding arena and she was going to try to work him around but we didin't push him too hard.
Sarah if Dumpling likes riding in the trailer he has a funny way of showing it(loads and unloads really well but paws like a nut while in there and Im pretty sure he REALLY likes Ladybug

if you know what I mean

.

Slim Pikkens · 08-21-2008, 08:26 PM

I have one horse that is fine being ridden in the yard and two that hate it. With them it's either put them back with their buddies or let's go somewhere. Your pony may prefer that your daughter take him on the trails.

EquineAlberta · 08-21-2008, 11:12 PM

Home is where he relaxes. He doesn't want to be told what to do in his home. He doesn't want his friends to see him obeying. he is the "boss" of home. I have seen horses act like this when people try to ride them in their paddocks.

I think trying to find somewhere out of site of home to ride would be a good thing to try.

Karen

**taelesean** · 08-21-2008, 11:15 PM

Ponies are wiley smart little boogers. Is it possible your daughter is getting bored riding around your yard and not being as good a leader as the pony needs? I've known a few horses that were real turds if you're not right on the buckle all the time while riding them.

rm185western · 08-22-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady dumpling

Carri I thought of that too so today I made my new years resolution to ride my own horse happen. I rode along with her on the Mare but I am far from ready to canter

,but we did walk and trot around the yard.

Can't help with the pony, but saw this and GOOD FOR YOU

, you just do what you're comfortable with, cantering will be there when you're ready.

lady dumpling · 08-22-2008, 09:20 AM

Thanks for the insights horsetopians,I think they are all valid points.I guess it looks like we will have to find a place for her to ride in the back 40

geesh.My daughter isn't bored riding at home ,but she certainly lets him frustrate her and she certainly doesn't ride like she can.I think she just feels powerless(I"m at a loss for a better word)and I,m feeling hopeless to help her not a pretty sight are we?
rm..thanks for noticing me fulfilling my New year's resolution,I'm not afraid of cantering per say I am just so out of shape

that I'm not sure I could gather all my stuff together for a nice canter,although trotting is interesting

.

ahlihaff · 08-22-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady dumpling

He is vey dominant and has bad ground manners with her so usually when he gets a bit stupid I u help her with him.I can just stand there and he changes his tune and lets her continue

You may consider having your daughter teach him that he must give up his dominance with her. A very dominant horse toward humans is unsafe, as I'm sure you know. He needs to learn to respect her.

I'm not saying this will solve the riding problem, but it is an important issue to address.

pvf · 08-22-2008, 12:25 PM

I'm not sure what the previous owners used him for but maybe he's only used to the arena. And doesn't know what to do when he's outside of one.

Have her make little goals at home for each day that she rides. Reward him them and stop before he starts having a fit if you can, maybe he'll think riding out of an arena is ok. (if thats his issue)..

sli92 · 08-22-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvf

I'm not sure what the previous owners used him for but maybe he's only used to the arena. And doesn't know what to do when he's outside of one.

Have her make little goals at home for each day that she rides. Reward him them and stop before he starts having a fit if you can, maybe he'll think riding out of an arena is ok. (if thats his issue)..

This actually makes alot of sense as per his problems.
although at home when he was being bad he was in a round pen(they may have used a round pen for disciplining..?)
I think this would be really good for BOTH of them. Have her come up with a plan to work him, each day have 3 goals, and when he gets one of them without being a "pony", then he gets to be done and go for a trail ride, or a graze... but change up the length every time... one day it might be only 10 min, the next it might be about 30, etc.

version1955 · 08-22-2008, 12:34 PM

I'm going to suggest something a little bit different. Not saying you're wrong, not saying I'm right, heck, I'm not saying it can't be something from column A and something from column B, C and D!

I'm trying to think of this from the pony's point of view. I don't think that his motivation is all that complicated. I think he is simply responding to what he figures he can get away with. It could be his disobedient behavior is nipped in the bud sooner when he's at the lesson. It could be that at home its more relaxed and your daughter isn't as on purpose as she is when being watched by her trainer. This doesn't make your pony two-faced, it makes him entirely consistent. That is a lot simpler explanation and in my meager experience the simpler explanations are usually closer to the truth.

pvf · 08-22-2008, 12:38 PM

If round pens are only used for disapline and it wasn't a good experience some of them will not behave in one.

I had a mare in last year that had issues from the people that previously handled her.. (I did some ground work on her for her new owners). When she got worked in a round pen she would be good and then all of a sudden she would blow up, I let her through her fit and then worked her some more. She was waiting for me to hit her and she had a shocked looked on her face when I didn't. After awhile she quit throwing them and leaned that working wasn't so bad and wasn't going to cause her harm.

sli92 · 08-22-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by version1955

I'm going to suggest something a little bit different. Not saying you're wrong, not saying I'm right, heck, I'm not saying it can't be something from column A and something from column B, C and D!

I'm trying to think of this from the pony's point of view. I don't think that his motivation is all that complicated. I think he is simply responding to what he figures he can get away with. It could be his disobedient behavior is nipped in the bud sooner when he's at the lesson. It could be that at home its more relaxed and your daughter isn't as on purpose as she is when being watched by her trainer. This doesn't make your pony two-faced, it makes him entirely consistent. That is a lot simpler explanation and in my meager experience the simpler explanations are usually closer to the truth.

hmmmm, that does make sense...
when I went out to see them, he was SUPER good. but yet again she was being watched and getting a "lesson"
hmmm,

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08-21-2008, 03:29 PM
lady dumpling Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: alberta Posts: 847	Two Faced Pony Daughter(12) is in her first year pony club and so far it's been fun.They have been learning a bit on jumping and dressage in their weekly lessons.Lessons haven't been consistant for different reasons missed a couple due to vacation and 4h camp,a few have been canceled for poor attendance.She has had her pony for a year now and is learning to ride on him ,we have worked through different issues with him,nut we always seem to have one.He is vey dominant and has bad ground manners with her so usually when he gets a bit stupid I u help her with him.I can just stand there and he changes his tune and lets her continue.Now my question is this when we take him to lessons he is always good never gets stupid under saddle,just trots around with his ears forward and tail up looking like a wonderful little guy.At home when she is trying to work with him and practicenot the same cute little pony.As soon as she wants to change gaits usuall from trot to canter (starting now a bit on walk to trot)the ears pin he swishes his tail and starts acting real pony like..She has started carrying a crop and will give him a swat ,but usually her him and mom end up getting frustrated and things just get unproductive from there.She was riding him in an are that was a bit on the smaller side for a good canter so she has been riding him out in the open (still waiting to build the outdoor)This week her and her pony stayed at one of her girlfriend house and rode in their areana and they were just fine.She rode him at home today and was not just fine .I am at a loss with this and starting to wear down.Any one else have experiens with something like this? __________________ Good thing my horses can't post about MY vices!

08-21-2008, 03:33 PM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,263	Is he maybe barn (home area) sour? Or buddy sour to your mare? I can't really think of any other reason why he would be so "challenging" at home, and agreeable when away from home.... __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

08-21-2008, 03:38 PM
sli92 Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 596	is there somewhere on the far side of your property you can take him to ride? see if this does anything. he might just enjoy your trailer? haha maybe he hates ladybug? or if he can see her eating his food while he is working...? I have no idea, very sorry. __________________ ~Sarah * PA Sebastion(Oh CanadaxCrystal Vision)

08-21-2008, 03:38 PM
trinabug Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 237	i agree ...sound like he might be sour....has he been rode outdoors anywhere else or just inside

08-21-2008, 03:41 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,982	It does sound like he is bored at home, and likes being ridden out where there is more going on. When she was at a friends house this week, was she riding with her friend? Maybe if there was another pony (or horse) being ridden, that makes a difference. __________________

08-21-2008, 03:44 PM
lady dumpling Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: alberta Posts: 847	Carri I thought of that too so today I made my new years resolution to ride my own horse happen. I rode along with her on the Mare but I am far from ready to canter,but we did walk and trot around the yard. __________________ Good thing my horses can't post about MY vices!

08-21-2008, 04:11 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,982	Was he better when you did that? __________________

08-21-2008, 08:07 PM
lady dumpling Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: alberta Posts: 847	No not really, but he was already suffering from Ponyitis so we just walked and trotted around.We rode out to where we will put the outdoor riding arena and she was going to try to work him around but we didin't push him too hard. Sarah if Dumpling likes riding in the trailer he has a funny way of showing it(loads and unloads really well but paws like a nut while in there and Im pretty sure he REALLY likes Ladybugif you know what I mean. __________________ Good thing my horses can't post about MY vices!

08-21-2008, 08:26 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,936	I have one horse that is fine being ridden in the yard and two that hate it. With them it's either put them back with their buddies or let's go somewhere. Your pony may prefer that your daughter take him on the trails.

08-21-2008, 11:12 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,425	Home is where he relaxes. He doesn't want to be told what to do in his home. He doesn't want his friends to see him obeying. he is the "boss" of home. I have seen horses act like this when people try to ride them in their paddocks. I think trying to find somewhere out of site of home to ride would be a good thing to try. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

08-21-2008, 11:15 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,638	Ponies are wiley smart little boogers. Is it possible your daughter is getting bored riding around your yard and not being as good a leader as the pony needs? I've known a few horses that were real turds if you're not right on the buckle all the time while riding them. __________________

08-22-2008, 09:20 AM
lady dumpling Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: alberta Posts: 847	Thanks for the insights horsetopians,I think they are all valid points.I guess it looks like we will have to find a place for her to ride in the back 40 geesh.My daughter isn't bored riding at home ,but she certainly lets him frustrate her and she certainly doesn't ride like she can.I think she just feels powerless(I"m at a loss for a better word)and I,m feeling hopeless to help her not a pretty sight are we? rm..thanks for noticing me fulfilling my New year's resolution,I'm not afraid of cantering per say I am just so out of shape that I'm not sure I could gather all my stuff together for a nice canter,although trotting is interesting. __________________ Good thing my horses can't post about MY vices!

08-22-2008, 12:25 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,420	I'm not sure what the previous owners used him for but maybe he's only used to the arena. And doesn't know what to do when he's outside of one. Have her make little goals at home for each day that she rides. Reward him them and stop before he starts having a fit if you can, maybe he'll think riding out of an arena is ok. (if thats his issue).. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

08-22-2008, 12:34 PM
version1955 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: out Posts: 6,490	I'm going to suggest something a little bit different. Not saying you're wrong, not saying I'm right, heck, I'm not saying it can't be something from column A and something from column B, C and D! I'm trying to think of this from the pony's point of view. I don't think that his motivation is all that complicated. I think he is simply responding to what he figures he can get away with. It could be his disobedient behavior is nipped in the bud sooner when he's at the lesson. It could be that at home its more relaxed and your daughter isn't as on purpose as she is when being watched by her trainer. This doesn't make your pony two-faced, it makes him entirely consistent. That is a lot simpler explanation and in my meager experience the simpler explanations are usually closer to the truth. __________________ If you can't master your emotions, how can you be the safe partner your horse needs you to be?

08-22-2008, 12:38 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,420	If round pens are only used for disapline and it wasn't a good experience some of them will not behave in one. I had a mare in last year that had issues from the people that previously handled her.. (I did some ground work on her for her new owners). When she got worked in a round pen she would be good and then all of a sudden she would blow up, I let her through her fit and then worked her some more. She was waiting for me to hit her and she had a shocked looked on her face when I didn't. After awhile she quit throwing them and leaned that working wasn't so bad and wasn't going to cause her harm. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses