Seeing the world as your pony does.

Horses and ponies are prey animals, they are designed to run away from predators or they risk ending up as dinner.
Because they are prey animals and not predators (like dogs or us) they will react to things very quickly and often in ways we find hard to understand.
To help us understand our horses and ponies we need to try to put ourselves in their position, to see the world through their eyes.

Wild horses:
-Worry most about staying alive and breeding.
-Usually live in social groups.
-Spend most of their time grazing.


Domesticated horses are concerned with the same things. To help us to get along with our ponies better we need to remember a few facts, they:


-Learn quickly and unlearn slowly.
-Learn through play especially when young.
-Respect the alpha or lead horse mainly as a response to what will happen if they do not.
-Look to consistent and reliable members of the herd for teaching and help.
-Enjoy grooming each other, they like touch and this helps them make friends.
-Use their body movements, postures and gestures to communicate.
-Will run if frightened, will fear anything that causes them pain.

 

To keep your pony settled, try to:


1.Turn them out everyday, if they do not live out permanently, in well-fenced fields with a reliable, clean water supply.
2.Ensure they have the company of other ponies or horses.
3.Provide a grass-based diet, balance food given with exercise taken.
4.Allow your pony free time to “be a pony” to play, roll and run about, relax.

We can use these facts when handling our ponies.

 
Wild Horse Facts Helping our Horses and Ponires
Learn quickly, unlearn slowly
 Teach them what we would like them to do, time our praise carefully.
Learn through play
 Make our time with them pleasant and fun.
Enjoy grooming each other
 Be sensitive whenever we groom and handle our horses and ponies.
Use body language to communicate.
 We can learn what their gestures mean and how to use ours to communicate our intentions.
Run if frightened; fear anything that causes them pain. Always remember this and do not give our horses or ponies a reason to fear our actions or us.
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Wild horses show different responses to the Alpha leader (react through fear of what will happen if they do not respond) and to the reliable trusted “passive” herd teacher (young horses and new herd members will often seek out such horses for guidance and teaching.). As horse owners we can choose which leader we wish to be and follow the appropriate training methods. What is important is that you are seen as being consistent, fair and reliable by your pony at all times so that they recognise you as a herd leader and someone they can trust.
Gentle training methods are not a soft option but a more encouraging one for you and your pony, aiming to form a partnership through understanding and cooperation. The aim is for a well behaved, trusting and content pony that enjoys being with you whether you are handling them on the ground or riding.

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