Training Frightened and Abused Pony

Question
Hello,
 I recently rescued a 12.2hh, 4 year old, pony gelding. Here is the information I have gathered about him: He spent about the first 6 months to a year of his life locked in a barn. Twitches and painful methods of force were used to make him stay still when having his feet done. He was extremely physically abused at some point in his life, which has turned him into a extremely head-shy, terrified little pony. I have spent a lot of time taking the halter on and off, and leading him all over the place.I have been doing this for almost a year, trying new things, but there has been no progression. He doesn't like to be away from his horse friends, and he will not, under any circumstances, let me put my hand above his head. On an up point, he did put his nose on my arm a few times the last time I was leading him, and he showed a little interest in what I was doing. What can I do to help him stop being so skittish and start to trust me?

                                       Thanks,
                                          Rachel

Answer
Hi Rachel!

Oh boy!  You have your work cut out for you.  Good for you though!  This pony will teach you SO much about the necessity of good horsemanship, trust, patience and so much more!

First order of business is to teach you the fundamentals of a great classical ground school for your pony.   I want you to get the "Ground Work" book by Buck Brannaman.  Learn, memorize every last thing in that book and teach it all to your pony.  I would also like for you to attend a foundation horsemanship clinic with one of my teachers.  Get on the web and find the clinic schedules for:  Buck Brannaman, Peter Campbell, Joe Wolter, Martin Black, Bryan Neubert or Ricky Quinn.  Addend a clinic with whomever is close to you.  Get it done.  These guys travel the country helping people and horses just like you and your pony.  It is very important for you Rachel.

The reason things are not progressing with your pony is that your feel and timing are off.  You just never learned some of the skills and that is okay.  Your pony will forgive you.  Be happy knowing that you were NOT the one to put that trouble into your pony, but you sure can be the one to take that trouble out.  Good for you!

I want you to learn how to use a flag with your pony, but I don't want you to do this alone.  I want a good horseman to help you learn this.  You will see some flag work in Buck's book, but I really need for you to get to a clinic...I am struggling here because I don't want you to get into trouble.  A flag can really help your pony build some much needed confidence, but only if it is used in the correct way.  Let me think about this one a bit more...

Do you have a good corral fence you can climb up on?  If you do, then teach your pony to lead by on the fence.  You will have to have taught him how to yield his hind quarters first and how to change directions softly on the end of a good rope halter.  Once he has these skills, you can lead him up under you as you are standing on the fence.  Your pony can see you from above, he will not be able to take his head away because you will be above him.  Your hand will just keep softly brushing back and forth over his head.  He may jerk his head to the left or right, but just keep moving softly and wait for your pony to TRY and get comfortable.  The moment he TRIES to get comfortable, YOU need to get soft, stop moving, let your pony know that he has found the answer.  You will just keep getting  closer and NEVER let your hand come still.  Don't let your pony think that you are going to try and grab his ears, keep your hand gently and softly moving and brushing over the top of his head and eventually brushing through his ears, mane and forelock.  You will eventually be able to do this same thing while standing next to him on the ground.  Chances are someone has "eared him down" and he is trying his best to save his head and ears from more abuse and damage.  Can't say as that I blame him.

So, give this a try, read and memorize Buck's ground work book, attend a clinic and then keep me posted on your progress!

Find the Joy and enjoy the RIDE!

Denise