controling pony

Question
I just bought a pony for my daughter.  She has no experience and I haven't had a horse since I was a kid.  We are using a rope bosal and the entire time the pony is ridden it is an endless battle.  I am not very big, so I have tried to ride her to see if it was just because my daughter is so inexperienced.  She will give me her head on both sides.  But when we started walking she begins fighting me and we end up going in circles.  Getting her to walk straight ahead is virtually impossible. She also tries to take off and the only way I can stop her is to pull her head around and that takes quit a bit of muscle.  A lot more than my daughter has. The previous owner said that she was unable to find a bit that worked for her.  Today I tried a basic snaffle.  I put it on for around an hour.  Her mouth never stopped.  She just chomped like crazy.  Do you have any suggestions.

Answer
Hi Vanessa!

I hear the frustration in your question and I'm so sorry!  I know this was to have been fun for you and your daughter.  Let's get this fixed up so you can find the fun!  

Your pony is very green!  It is not a matter of controlling the pony, but educating the pony so you can enjoy a riding partnership.  It is very frustrating for the horse and rider when you have a green/green combination.  The rider can't help the horse and the horse can't help the rider.  Yikes!  

When your pony chompped at the bit it is just another sign of frustration and lack of experience.  Most young or green horses when first exposed to the snaffle with mouth the bit for a while until they are used to the feel of it in their mouth.  No big deal.  Just another sign of a green horse.  

I have a very blunt question for you...are you committed to this pony to do the work that is needed for her to become a great little mount?  She doesn't seem like she is mean, just very green.  I hope you are committed enough to see this through.  I don't suggest that green owners buy inexperienced mounts, but this is what you have and your pony has the potential to be wonderful and everything you have ever wanted.  It's just that the path you have chosen is a bit more difficult.  This too is a gift.  Look at what this pony will teach you about really good horsemanship!  

Do you have access to a round pen?  What I'll suggest to you is that you go back to the beginning and start this pony over like a colt.  This way you will have a really good idea of her complete skill set and you will get to learn right along with her.  If she can't walk forward and riding is an endless battle and she doesn't know how to stop, turn or pack a snaffle, you really have nothing anyway!  Get back on the ground and begin at the beginning.  

Again let me say the problem is not finding a bit that works, the problem is the horse has had no training!!!  A bit is not a magic thing that carries training inside it.  It is just a piece of metal.  Educate your pony.  Teach her what her job is and how to do it!  I'm sure she is just as sick of the confusion as you are.

I want you to check out the Colt Starting and Groundwork DVD's by Buck Brannaman.  I have the links to his site on my website.  Also, look at the Colt Starting and Back to the Beginning by Ray Hunt.  Your local library or tack store may have them to rent, so check into that also.  These will give you an excellent idea of what is involved to developing a wonderful saddle horse.  If you look at the archives of some of my past answers on starting your horses, there is a lot to learn and do.  If you are up for the challenge, watch the DVD's and then I'll start walking you through the process!  

For now lets postpone riding this pony until she at least has some sort of foundation of skills.  And please,  no riding for your daughter until this pony is more educated and can help keep her safe.  Having a serious wreck on a green pony is just not worth it.  This pony really sounds nice and has done a good job of filling in for the both of you so far, but it is really too much to ask.  Your pony is just not skilled enough to take care of your daughter.  Any horse that a child will be riding needs a great emergency brake built in and the child needs to know how to use it.  That emergency brake is the one rein stop and skill at yielding the hind quarters.  

Please watch the DVD's I suggested and then write back to me.  I  would love it if you could attend a colt starting clinic with Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt or Ricky Quinn.  The information I'm sharing with you will literally save your daughters life.  Let's be safe.  I want your and your daughter to have many happy hours with your pony, so let's do this the right way! Watch the  DVD's, we will talk again, and then find you a clinic to attend!  You are on the right path now!

Let me know as soon as you have watched the Groundwork DVD by Buck and we will get to work!

Be Safe!  Smiles, Denise