Pony Play Training Techniques, part 1

This begins the first of a three part series to be published over the next three weeks about how to train your pony.

There are all types of pony play. All are valid and wonderful and fun. I am discussing techniques to train ponies that wish to emulate bio horses and be trained in gaits, ground driving, hunter jumper, and cart (also called work or pulling) play. I am proud to be part of The Los Angeles Pony and Critter Club which has an "everybody plays" policy. We train all our ponies with the same signals, so that any Trainer can practice or play with a pony at the play dates. If a pony shows up without a Trainer, any of the Trainers can take the reins and the pony only learns one set of signals or reining. I am blessed to have a handsome black stallion, Loki, whom I have trained and spent many wonderful hours exploring dressage training with.

The reining and signals we use at the Los Angeles Pony and Critter Club are simply what we worked out and agreed on, so that we had a uniformity in play, and enabled our "everybody plays" policy. I offer our solutions as a possibility and hope the dressage play itself has caught your interest and inspires you to try it.

I start training by getting to know my pony. I need to know that my pony is ready to focus, to train, to engage in learning during our practice session. I'm very clear that I am with my pony to train, to teach my pony a set number of skills. Over the course of time, these skills will build on each other so that when I lead my pony into a performance ring, we engage in dressage play with such fluidity and grace that we seem to dance around the ring together. At this level, the play is enchanting. I become heady as my pony obeys the slightest command at the other end of the reins I hold. These reins connect us; they are the line that the energy flows through in its cycle of power. I begin with a bridle on my pony, and get acquainted newly each session during our grooming time.

1. Grooming

• Put a rope lead line on your pony and tie your pony to a grooming station, making sure the knot is a quick release knot for the safety of all those involved. 
• Use this time to talk to your pony, have the pony get familiar with your voice's rhythm and nuances; develop trust and a sense of anticipation for fun. 
• I carry my grooming tools in a bio-horse feed pail. I have a face brush, body brush, massage brush, horse comb, hoof pick, sponge, and bag of treats (pieces of apple and carrots). The techniques I use are:
  • Bath (if the pony is sweaty or dirty)
  • Brush
  • Massage
  • Comb hair
  • Check hooves
  • Pet
• Never leave your human pony tied unattended. Do not tie your human pony by the bit.
• I always have a bottle of drinking water for my pony and check in regularly with him, asking if he wants water. He nods or stamps his foot eagerly.
• Before you begin working, check the gear, tack, and harness. Do they fit correctly? Is your pony comfortable?
• When we are ready to get to work, I look at my pony's posture. Training my pony begins with how my pony stands and carries him- or herself.

2. Posture

• A pony moves with pride and dignity, and draws people's attention by how he or she moves. When a pony appears, all heads should turn. It is important to start with posture.
• Good posture and balance gives a pony grace in movement, fluidity in dance and stamina to play for longer periods of time.
• Stand straight, shoulders back, head up.
• It is important your pony look forward, not down.
• Drill by having your pony practice as a human by walking with a book on his or her head. The pony can also balance bean bags on his or her body and head.
• Movement is in two spheres: one encompassing the legs and the other encompassing the upper body. The bottom sphere moves forward while the top sphere moves backward, keeping the upper body held up, not slouching, with shoulders back, core solid and tight, providing strength.

3. Reining

• To get your pony used to directions from a bit, put a head harness with bit on the pony and attach reins. (If the bit is metal, wrap it in latex bandage to protect the teeth.) A head harness is a bridle halter.
• Commands:
  • "Whoa" is the signal to stop.
  • "Square up" is the signal to stand straight.
  • Two clicks with tongue, dressage whip taps middle of back once, reins lifted lightly is the signal to start walking or "move out." (If I don't want to move out, I don't tap the back.)
  • "Easy" is the signal to slow down.
  • Two clicks and pulling rein back as you step back is the signal to back up.
  • Gently pull the reins with thumb and forefinger to guide pony to the right or left. It is a nudge with a light hand. Do not jerk your pony's head. Your pony should be trained to be awaiting your signal, so force is not necessary, only firmness and consistency. To practice getting the subtly of this movement, place a blindfold on your pony. It helps the pony to feel the gentle command of the bit, lightly pulled in the mouth in one direction or another. Adding ear plugs also takes away distractions. The pony is to move where its head is turned. The pony goes where its eyes go, if the pony isn't blindfolded.
• Your pony should be thinking of nothing but how to please you, what command you are currently giving, in which direction you want to go, and what you may want the pony to do next.