Wip-wop Experiences?

[jes]

I agree with marychick, make it really interesting in the school and keep sessions short. When I got my mare she had clearly never been schooled and she found going in the school quite daunting. She found it very difficult to keep her balance in walk never mind trot. So I did quite a few very short sessions of about 10-15 minutes, both in hand and ridden, using poles and cones to ride round, lots of changes of direction and transitions and a short rest every 5 minutes.

Regarding a wip wop, I did get one some years back to try with my nappy gelding, and rode him in the school with it first, just holding it, but as soon as I moved it even slightly he was terrified and kept shying away from it, not forwards but sideways! A lady at my yard though uses one with great success whilst out hacking on her equally nappy gelding.

[clara81]

God I love this forum ;D

Thanks for all suggestions- the bucket and treat idea will work with her I'm sure; I taught her to be caught by putting a feed in her stable and catching her in there and I got her used to traffic by tying her haynet on the fence in the field nearest the road. She is very food orientated lol!

As I say I've never had access to a school before but when we were kids me and my sister used to ride in the field and our ponies just didn't do going in circles so we used to build assault courses and invent gymkhana games. I need to get back into that. My pony does enjoy things like that, she likes trying to be brave (even though she isn't but don't tell her!) I don't actually want to do any "serious" work with her- I want her to be like the pony I had as a kid, so I best start riding her like the pony I had as a kid

I've never schooled a pony this far before- I've been breeding and showing and raising youngsters for the last ten years so I've got all sorts of tricks and ideas for handling and groundwork but I normally sell them after backing. I need to get more creative when I'm riding now, wish the wind would die down so I can get started!!

Thanks so much

[marychick]

Nothing like finding your inner child again!! Sounds like you and you're pony going to have lots of fun! ;D Good Luck ;D