As I am scheduled to do the working pony introductory course at Dalmore this month, I thought I might start a thread to see what sort of work smallholders may see fit for their ponies.
I plan to demonstrate ways to prepare a pony for a working life, and how the owner can work toward the creation of a pony which is compliant and trustworthy enough to do a bit of work when required.
It's important to assess the suitability of each individual animal to the sort of work required but, without exception, a working pony must have a good temperament. It must have a good basic education in longeing, longreining and be well used to noise around and behind it before any attempt is made to introduce weight and implements.
Up to a point, the working pony will be trained as would a pony for driving. The difference is that a working pony would probably never be required to trot when put to implements, so it is important to do all of the preparatory work at walk.
Much of the early work can easily be done by one person, but there are some things which may require two, such as when introducing the swingle tree and weight for the first time. The second person can help a great deal when the pony is asked to turn, as there is a requirement to 'manage' the traces against the hind legs until the pony becomes used to it.
Safety for handlers and pony are paramount at all times, so some forethought is required when training a working pony. It is very important to be sure that the pony fully understands and accepts each task it is asked to perform before progressing into new territory. This ensures that, in the event of something going wrong, or the pony getting nervous or excitable, there is a firm base of experience to which to return so that the pony can be settled at something he knows/does well before re-trying him at the next stage again.
Everything the novice pony is taught is a preparation for the next stage in his education, so it's important to recognise when a pony is ready for the next step and, more importantly, when he is not. As with all training, it is necessary to accommodate the pony in terms of his learning ability, and to make progress at his pace. If problems occur, damage limitation is the name of the game, so the success of the previous part of his education is important as that is the place to which he will be taken to calm him and allow a good point at which to finish.
Those persons who are coming to the course are advised to wear stout footwear and, if possible, bring gloves and a hard hat. I hope the day is a success and attendees enjoy it as much as I plan to.
Topic: Working ponies for the Smallholding (Read 15256 times)
