Ponying a horse can be a great tool, whether used as a training method for a younger horse or as a way to exercise two horses at the same time. But ponying a horse can get tricky; you’ll be handling two horses at once from the saddle. If you plan to pony a horse, make sure that you can do so correctly and safely.

Pick Your Lead Pony Carefully

The horse that you’re riding – your lead pony – will need to have an even temperament and be reliable. You will need to be able to control him with just your left hand on the reins, so be sure that he is responsive to your leg cues and rein cues. A horse that neck-reins can make ponying easier. It’s also wise to select a gelding as your lead pony, since fights are less likely to break out between a gelding and another horse.

Selecting Tack and Equipment

If possible, use a Western saddle with a horn when ponying another horse. The horn will give you something to droop a loop of the rope around, lessening the amount of strength you need to hold the horse that you’re ponying. Never tie the horses together, though – the horn should be a support, but not a place to secure the rope.

Be sure that you wear gloves when ponying a horse. It is best to put a rope halter and twelve-foot rope on the horse that you will be ponying. This gives you enough length in the rope to still hold onto the horse if he spooks or dances away, and horses typically respect a rope halter more than they do a flat nylon or leather one.

Mounting Up and Moving On

Once you’ve mounted up, hold your horse’s reins in your left hand and the lead rope in your right hand. Ask your horse to walk on with a verbal cue so that the horse you are leading also hears this. Both horses should move forward. If they don’t, stop your horse, tug on the ponied horse’s lead line until he moves forward, and then resume at the walk.

Keeping the Position

When ponying a horse, you want the ponied horse to follow slightly behind your leg. He shouldn’t drag behind your horse, and he shouldn’t come forward of your knee, since you will not be able to control him in that position. Giving bumps and tugs on the lead rope can help to reposition the ponied horse appropriately.

In learning to pony a horse, take things slow and be careful. It is best if you can learn by using two horses who are experienced in ponying. There's a lot to remember, so it may be helpful to have an experienced rider on the ground giving you pointers.


Image Source: geograph.org.uk/photo/148283 © Copyright Martin Bodman and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Original Source: 4 Tips on Ponying a Horse

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Comment by Classic Equine Equipment on June 30, 2014 at 11:05am

Thank you Sandy Lynn for sharing your experience with ponying racehorses, your unique experience is really insightful!And, thank you Ali for your reminder of the value of a stopper knot.  We appreciate both of your contributions to the conversation, so that riders can be properly prepared before they pony a horse.  We appreciate and value the exchange of information!

Comment by Sandy Lynn Wallis on June 29, 2014 at 7:52pm

While I agree with most of this advice, I strongly disagree that the horse being ponied should be behind your knee. I have ponied racehorses for a living for nearly 40 years so I do have some experience with this. Any one ponying professionally will tell you that you should keep your horse in front of your knee, but behind your ridden horse's jaw. If the horse pulls back and he's in front of your knee, you have a much better chance of turning the pony horse and staying with him. Also if he's behind your knee and he rears up, it is much easier for him to strike you and your pony horse with a front foot or even get on top of you both. If he's in front of your knee, you have a much better shot at wheeling your pony horse away from the danger of his front feet. Even though the average person will not be ponying horses as high-spirited as the race horses, sometime even the gentlest horses can rear in play and inadvertently hurt you or your pony horse. Even if the horse is fairly calm, if he's behind your knee he can step on your pony horse's heels, tearing a quarter and is also in a position to lay on your pony horse's hip which can cause your pony horse to become body sore. An experienced racetrack pony uses his shoulder to help control the other horse. And lastly if the horse locks up, it is much more efficient to pull him to the side. This will pull him off balance and he will take a step to regain his balance. Once he's taken that first step, it's much easier to get him to go. If he's in front of your knee, this is very easy to do. If he's behind your knee, your only option is to pull him forward. Sometimes pulling very hard on a horse straight forward will cause him to lunge and possibly crash into you and your horse. 

Comment by Ali Carpenter on June 27, 2014 at 4:08pm

Great post!

You should mention that the ponyed horse (unless you are doing sets) should be on the off side. It will make mounting easier and safer for the rider. The ponyed horse could shy away if they get close and get a bump from you as you mount.

A stopper knot is always a wonderful thing on the end of your lead!

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