Solving Pony Problems

Sadly, ponies get a lot of bad press. Even so, their reputation as being lazy, stubborn, and difficult to train, plus their seemingly inherent displays of poor behaviour, have less to do with their innate nature and more to do with a lack of training.

It is true that the ancestry of most pony breeds chronicles their capacity to endure harsh conditions and generally be able to take care of themselves, so a bit of attitude might be part of the equation. A pony’s reluctance to willingly adhere to our wishes and accept our leadership is perhaps an intrinsic wish to enjoy the freedom that living in lands rough and wild provided their ancestors. However, their domestication, whether it was for use as pit ponies in the coal mines or as the pretty show ponies we see in the ring today, documents the fact that ponies can be adapted and trained into valuable assets across the world. 

Problems commonly encountered with ponies usually exist because, unlike their horse counterpart, their diminutive size makes them less likely to carry an educated rider during their early training, and more likely to receive training later in life when they have become set in their ways.

Their status as “pets” almost ensures that the expectation for their level of compliance exceeds their level of understanding of the task at hand. Consistent training is even harder to accomplish with the limited mental focus and physical abilities of their usual pint-sized young equestrian partners. A lack of small riders who are good enough to keep the pony consistently and correctly schooled exacerbates the problem.

Herd hierarchy is a fundamental factor in how a pony behaves around others, whether horse or human. If you are keen to enjoy a happy relationship with the pony, it is essential to establish yourself as the herd leader by always requiring the pony to acquiesce to your requests. You are teaching the pony something every time you interact with him, so even a stable visit means you must insist that the pony move where and when you want him to. For example, whenever you enter the stall, insist the pony back up and give you space before petting him, feeding hay, or haltering him for turnout. And very importantly, be consistent and ensure that anyone else who works around the pony does the same thing.

Let’s address some key issues that pony owners are likely to need to navigate. Please remember that safety must come first when working with a pony. Do not allow young children to be left alone or to work alone with any pony. No pony is totally trustworthy, and speaking as a parent of three children including twins, neither are children!

A major cause of biting or nipping is hand-feeding treats to the pony; if doing so is part of your daily routine you should stop immediately. It is especially important that children be told not to