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Before you do anything in terms of saddling up, just make sure that your pony has walked, trotted and cantered on lead rein, been on lead rein hacks, jumped over a few little jumps and understands how to be long reined (which i did in a head collar). Finally ensure your pony understands the voice command 'woah' and will stop. These are all things I did with my 9'2 hand 5 year old shetland, Pumpkin.
After I had 'worker' her (done a few of the above at a time) I would lean over her back, talking to her and stroking her other side. I did this for about two weeks. I would also stand just behind her shoulder and jump up, when she is unfased, I'd move on.
I bought her a little cub saddle and girth and would put it on and continue doing everything as I had before, she really didn't bat an eyelid!
I then enlisted the help of my next door neighbours, 2 young girls with no experience. They would lean their whole bodies over the saddle and I would make Pumpkin walk on. Continuing the same pattern the girls started to sit on properly. Only working for short periods of time.
Pumpkin then was turned away for 4 months. It is now August and I have just bought her back into work. She now wears a bridle which she didn't before as I didn't want to overwhelm her. We take everything really gently and I think it is incredibly important that you know your pony, love your pony and remember its the first time for them. I believe that by staying quiet and calm you receive the best results. Yesterday Pumpkin trotted with a rider (on leid rein still) for the first time and i can't tell you how proud I was.
The only difficulty i have faced is that 4 months ago when being ridden in the field, she would decide she had had enough and lay down and roll. Not particularly fun when she had a rider!
Currently we all still have a long way to go before a child can be plonked on and she can go gallavanting off into the forest, but so far it has been so rewarding. Best of luck to you if you are planning the same venture with your shetland pony!
What else can I help you with?
What is shetland pony in french?
poney Shetland - french translation of Shetland pony
Where do the shetland pony get its name?
it comes from shetland and is a pony
What kind of categories is the shetland pony?
the shetland pony is a breed of pony.. not a "catergory" as such
Who is rarer Shetland pony or dartmore pony?
I do believe that the Dartmoor pony is more rare than the Shetland pony.
Is there a shetland pony association?
There is the Shetland Pony Studbook Society, and the Pony breeders of Shetland Association. Both are listed in the related links below.
What islands are north of Scotland and are the name of a pony?
Shetland Islands - Shetland pony.
Where does the Shetland pony originate from?
The SHETLAND ISLAND!
How do you make a midget pony?
get a Shetland pony
What is better a pony or a Shetland?
That is a matter of oppinion. Of course the full name of the Shetland is the Shetland Pony. A pony is any horse under 14 hands. This could be just about any breed, wheras, the shetland is just one breed.
What does the name shetland mean?
I don't know but the Shetland pony is named after the Shetland island
Which animal is also known as Pony in pajamas?
The Zebra is sometimes referred to as "a pony in pyjamas"
How many breeds of shetland pony are there?
there is only one breed of shetland but there is another type of minature pony called fallabellas but the shetland comes in every colour.
