January 27, 2021 -- Length 1:35:03
There's three in this team!
Ponying is not simply leading one horse while you're riding another. Ponying is a great way to show new horses or colts some very important things about being ridden and following you.
When we start ponying, we have a team of three in a leadership structure: you at the top, your riding horse in the middle and the pony horse at the bottom. This gives us a huge advantage we don't have in the groundwork: your riding horse can work your pony horse for you, and in just about every maneuver possible, from forward with gait changes and stops, to backups and side-passes. It's advantageous because your riding horse can communicate to your pony horse much quicker and clearer - being a horse, that is!
Ponying can be a lot of fun and involves leading and sending...but never pulling or dragging. It's a great opportunity to show a new horse or colt the feel of a rein and how to follow in athletic precision.