Pony Bulking

Question
We just bought a pony for my daughter who is learning to ride.  We rode the pony numerous times and she did excellent before we bought her.  When my daughter rides she keeps dropping her head to the ground which makes her nervous.  Now when my daughter asks her to walk she won't move foward.  She tries to turn her slightly to get her to move but she won't.  She begins to kick up with her back leg and she raises her head.  This makes my daughter very upset and she wants to get off.  When I get on the pony she will bulk for a second but then move on when she knows I am going to make her move.  I feel like I can not correct the problem because she only does this to my daughter (who is 8 years old).  Does she know my daughter is scared and this is only going to get worse.  Is there something I can do to help???????

Answer
Hi Tonya, You hit the nail on the head. This pony is not for beginner or timid riders.  You can get your daughter some lessons on the pony with a good trainer and it may help to solve the problem.  You can also lunge your daughter on the pony. Be sure you actually use a lunge line, even in a round pen so that you have control of the pony.  Make sure that the pony lunges well without a rider prior to putting your daughter up.  Have your daughter practice breathing, stretching, and feeling footfalls under saddle to get her mind off the fear.  There are many things that a good trainer/instructor can do to help make this match work out. But your daughter needs to overcome her fear and become a bit more experienced on this pony. Hope this helps. Leave me some feedback or follow-up if you have more questions. Thanks for writing. Regards, Susan