training young gelding

Question
Hi Lisa

I have a 4 year old gelding which has recently been gelded (late I know), He is a wonderful 14.2 german riding pony and has impecable manners while being ridden by my eleven year old daughter.  He has pushed her a few times earlier in his training, mainly by playful bucks which my daughter learned to push him on and he now works in a lovely outline.
My problem is that I regularly turn him loose into the round pen where he has a good buck and run around.   I have tried and tried to do join up with him.  I have stood in the middle making him go forward around me then stood still looking away from him and just wait and wait while he continues to whizz around, he does eventually come to stop and he does lick his lips but just stands there, i have waited 15 mins before now and there is no way he will come in to me, he seems if he is laughing at me, He is quite happy for me to go to him give him a pat and then he will follow me.  Any ideas how I can get him to come to me I know that i should not give in to him as he is being the dominant one but i could be there all day.  Just to let you know by daughter can walk in and he will go straight to her and follow her anywhere.

Answer
The problem that you are having is that your horse does not respect you. Next time that you are in the round pen put attach a 20 foot lunge line to him and send him around a few times. Start by raising the whip to get him to trot around the ring, do not let him break into a run. Let him trot around the ring for a few minutes, once he seems a bit tired, then lower your whip and allow him to stop. Turn your back to him and allow him to approach you, if he does not then send him around the ring for another 3-4 minutes. Keep repeating this until he realizes that he has to move in your direction in order to stop running in circles. As soon as he does take a few steps in your direction, praise him and stop the lesson. You want to end each session on a good note without either of you getting frustrated. I would also suggest that you get a ciopy of the "bonder". Send an e-mail to bonder@marvwalker.com.

Lisa