Okay...Some of you may have read, seen or even answered some of my many pony questions. In case you have no l dea what I am talking about here is what l mean:
l saved a pony from the meat market. My EVIL neighbors bought him (Darby is his name) to be their little girls pony. But they no nothing about horses, and when they got it at the auction it was fine...because it had been drugged. But when they brought it home it went balistic. And if you knew them, you would know that they just randomly through a saddle on them (weather it fits them or not -- like they have this miniature pony and they use a HORSE saddle for it).And it was generally a skittish pony before they got it, but they abuse their animals. And when the woman got on Darby he got scared and reared up and bucked. l do not blame him. So she tried lunging him, and he is only 4 and did not know how to (and they thought that he was 5 yrs old -- that just goes to show how much they know), she started whipping him wwith the whip. And he took off and hurt her hand. So the man chsed him with a whip and got him right on the muzzle, he has a scare from that now, and it was originally bleeding. It got to the point that their daughter (7 yrs of age) started abusing too. It got to the point where when they came into the field the pony ran and hid. They could not get a hlater on the poor thing. So one day l went over to check on him and see if he was okay while they were away. He was hastant of me at first, and since abused he was very very head shy. So l went home and some carrots, l shoed the other horses away, and moved slowly closer to Darby, he took a step forward then ran, l wited there holding out the carrot. He slowly came, and they do not feed their horses treats so he did not know how to eat. But l slowly pet his neck. He started breathing heavy, but then l worked my way to his face, and he let me pet him. But a couple weeks later l over heard them saying he was being sent to the meat market. l decided to take matters into my own hands and went over and told them that with work he would be a good boy. And they told me that he was worht more money as fresh edible meat then he was as a ridable pony. But l knew that that was not true, l saw potential in his face, l saw determination, and l also saw a broken hearted pony that was looking for some love. So a few weeks later he was not gone because the slaughter house did not come yet. l asked them if they could hold the offer for me and l would give them 500 dollars for him. They said okay, and l went and asked my grandparents (by the way l am 12 yrs old) for him. They said no at first but then said yes. So l made payments on him and now he is mine. He is coming along very nicely, and is now actually not head shy, and is almost greenbroke. l trust him, and he is getting to love life now. He respects the saddle, and bridle. And is a very strict diet.

Any ways lately l have said to my self that l need to get on him. l trust him, and I am pretty sure he trusts me. He respects me and knows that he has to use manners around me! He gives kisses to me and my best friend Jessi, and hugs to. l am planning on getting on him this weekend. And l am not scared to fall off or break some bones...l am scared that l will scare him and he will lose trust in me. l have come so far, and l do not wanna wreck it all. My friend (Jessi) says she will help me. l was just wondering if l should do anything before l get on him, and when on him, do you have any tiips on how l should go about doing any of this. Tips, advice, experinces would be much appreciated.

sorry for such a long thing.


NO RUDE COMMENTS LIKE: GET A TRAINER.
MY GRANDPARENTS TOLD ME THAT IF l WANTED HIM l HAD TO PAY FOR HIM AND l GOT A BABYSITTING JOB, AND DO ODD JOBS FOR PEOPLE AND MAKE THE MONEY. l HAVE NOT GOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR A TRAINER. l HAVE PEOPLE TO HELP ME, BUT NOT A TRIANER. YOU MAY LIKE GETTING THEM PROFFESIONALLY TRAINED. BUT l KNOW l CAN DO THIS.
Also, l have put the saddle, bridle, saddle pad on him and bridle. l am just going to get on him bareback to start with.

here is a pic of him:
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq83/horselover1618/Darby5.jpg
When l said l did not wanna hear anyone say get a trainer it was because l already know that. l have a help from lot is of very experienced people!

What do you expect us to say?

Your only as good as the ppl you learn from.. must not be working for you so far.. so keep up the good work then??

Its that kind of mentality that leaves ppl drooling from head injuries..

PS minimum age is 13 on YA for a reason.

That is FANTASTIC what u did. we need more people like u in the world! Just keep being overly nice, & very cautious! Take things VERY slow, & make sure not to over do it. l would start just taking the saddle pad, & rubbling it all over his body, to show that it is a nice thing (let him sniff it first) & be able to throw it on him with no problems & just call that a day. Then on the next day see if he is fine with the saddle pad again, & then try with a saddle,(let him sniff it) take it on & off, on & off. that will show him that a saddle/saddle pad r nothing to fear. Call that another day. Key thing is NOT to overdo anything, & not be anymore abusive, horses remember all abusiveness. Once he is fine with the saddle, see if someone can hold him, & if u r tall enough or he is short enough, just lean over him with the saddle on or without, it will get him used to u getting on, & off. With the bridle, once again do the put on, take off thing again. l also recomend giving him sugar cubes when he puts the bit into his mouth as it makes them want to have the bridle on & they can not choke on them because they dissolve. Make sure u take ur time, be gentle, & l am sure u can do it! l had to do practically the SAME THING with my pony (im 13) & he is wonderful. If u know anyone who has the parelli DVD is u should see if u could borrow them, or youtube some. but that is how l overcame my ponies fears! (sorry this is so long! hopefully all goes well too!)

Okay, so then if u r doing bareback, see if u could possibly have someone use a leadrope & hold him, & just lay over him (arms over one side & legs over other) & get off, continue doing this over & over until he can like eat grass with u doing this, then try swinging ur leg over, then hop off, continue doing so until fine, then try with a saddle. Then vuala! You have broken a horse :D p.s. he is ADORABLE!!!

l have ridden before just get on and close your eyes and take deep breaths l was scared my 1st time l took so long the horse l was riding started walking and l was not even on him and even if u do fall off it is not going to hurt and if he really loves u he will not let that happen.

l love people like you!
hes adorable!

idk if id start out bareback, just in case
maybe western cuz it has a horn
but anyways. take it slow.
show him around the arena and let him sniff things
show him the mounting block
get on it and stand there and pet him
slow start to get on him telling him hes a good boy
only walk that day
maybe trot, depending on behavior and trust
bless you! l wish l could save a horse!

Try not to be scared around them because they can sense that you are scared and will get scared too.

You have ur work cut out for u with this pony, l understand not being able to pay for a trainer but if u can figure out working for some lesson is it really will help (perhaps cleaning stalls or such) Anyway now that l told u what u do not want to hear let me try to help give u a plan on how to Proceed with him.

First thing l would do is teach him to lunge, teaching a young horse to lunge teaches it balance, verbal que's, & builds some muscle which will help him carry you. l know a lot of people do not like the idea of carrying a whip when they lunge but if u use it correctly it indicates to a horse what part of the body u want them to move (point it at his butt to go forward or shoulder to move over). Have a friend lead him as u ''lunge'' to teach him & praise for any little positive behavior. When he is comfortable add ur saddle stirrups down do not worry about them bouncing around on his side it is good for them to get use to movment on their backs.

When ur pony is lunging well add a second lunge line run from the bit threw the stirrups (and have a friend leading him again) when he is comfortable with the feeling of the second lunge line u can teach him to steer, l always ground drive them before getting on until they steer 100% of the time at the w/t/c.

Next step is at a mounting block spend time on the block above him so he is comfortable then with a friend leading him lay across his back & have ur friend lead him assuming he is good he gets lots & lots of praise for this.
When all of that is perfect it is time to hop on him with lot is of praise & sugar cubes again with a friend leading him first few ride is r walk-halt-cookie & praise for stoping. When ur ready try the trot then the canter & do not forget it is better to stop to soon on any given day then to have it go bad.

Good luck with ur pony he is very handsome take ur time & do not forget going slow is the fastest way with abused horses. Also if there is anyway to get some help from a trainer it really will help, do not be affraid to offer work for lesson is l do it for kid is who can not afford lesson is & plenty of other people will also.

First of all, awesome job on saving that pony, he is real cute. But to start him bareback, here r some things u can do. First, before u get on, plant ur hands firmly on his back & start jumping up & down beside him like you're about to spring onto him. Do this on both sides. This desensitizes him to movement in that area. If he is ok with that, move on to laying across his back so you're body is perpendicular on his. And finally, before u actually sit up on him bareback, take a stick & sort of roll it all over his rump to get him used to the feeling of a leg possibly brushing him back there. These r only basic steps, but as long as he is ok with all of them, u should be safe sitting on him bareback. l was thirteen when l got my first horse, a wild pony from the outer banks. l trained her myself with very little help & she is turned into a wonderful horse. Good luck, l know u can do the same!

well l would say never get nervous around him or lwt him be dominant towards you and when you get on, make sure you are ready and dont show your fear. Stay confidant always. good luck and l think it is nice that you didt that.

Well of course u should get the help of a trainer or at least a riding instructor or at least someone who knows more about horses than you. Trade work for lessons if u can.

But, since you're not going to do that here is my advice: Make sure u have someone there to help u (and call 911 if u need it). Have her hold the pony while u lean over his back, & when u get all the way on. Use a mounting block or bucket or something to get on as smoothly as possible. Have her give u pony rides on him - u just sit there while she leads him around. You will need to be calm & relaxed up there. Give him lots of pats or scratch his withers & talk to him as she leads u on him.

But first, have u taught him to longe? Have u taught him voice commands? Those will go a long way in making riding him easier at first. Take u time & do not rush getting on if u have not done enough of the basics first.

start by patting his back & gently putting ur weight on ur hands. Stand on a mounting block next to him & lean across his back with ur hands on his back & ur weight on them, make sure someone is holding him. Watch his reactions the whole time. Do not just jump on his back, that will probably scare him, give him a chance to realize & hopefully understand ur intentions before getting on.
Good luck! u must be a very plucky 12 year old so l am sure u can do it!

OK, now this is a really cute horse ::-)

Here is a search on YouTube that will provide some helpful videos.

http://youtube.com/results?search_query=colt+starting&search_type=&aq=f

Here is a great DVD set on the topic from an excellent trainer - spend the money, it is worth it:

http://horsetrainingvideos.com/coltmagic.htm

Wear a helmet, have someone with you, be careful, patient and slow.

Good luck!