Do Ponies Get a Bad Rap?

Opie is curious

Ponies have a bit of a reputation. There are lots of nice ponies, but as a group, they are notorious for causing trouble, variously described as naughty, bratty, mean, and worse. I talked with pony-savvy friends, and we agreed on 4 possible reasons for this reputation. While all of them relate to how ponies are handled, the last two also hint at traits that are great fun when they are channeled constructively. The (black) Dartmoor ponies featured in this article belong to my friend Melody Payne, and exemplify the benefits of good training and handling.

Moor stands politely as his mane is gently braided

1. Lack of Manners.
Good manners might not seem critical when ponies are young and cute – until unwanted behavior escalates out of control. Then the tendency is to punish. Punishment does not teach a pony what he’s supposed to do. It is more likely to make matters worse by provoking defensiveness or resentment.
Solution: Teach ponies the same good manners you want to see in a 17 hand horse. When ponies are taught to watch the handler (instead of relying solely on pressure), they develop the habit of watching out for even the smallest children. A pony's good manners encourage children to treat him respectfully and make friends with him.
Resources:
Body Language: Copying

Opie is relaxed with a quiet well-balanced rider

2. Faulty Riding Training.
If a pony’s first rider is a bold kid who loves speed and lacks finesse, what does the pony learn? He might learn to love zooming around; he might learn to dislike being kicked and pulled; he might even learn to dislike children. In any case, he isn’t learning to be calm, quiet, and attentive for timid or novice riders.
Solution: The first children a pony meets should treat him with respect and empathy, so he views children as fun little creatures to be around. His riding training should be approached with the same careful preparation as a horse’s. His first rider should be quiet and well-balanced, with gentle hands, so he has no reason to feel defensive. Lots of time walking and building clear communication before speeding up teach him that walk (not gallop) is the default gait when being ridden.
Resources:
Children Learn Empathy from Us
Children: Fun Friends or Alien Species?

Love learns to wait for permission to come out of her stall

3. Boldness
Ponies are physically sturdier than horses. With compact bodies and denser bones, they are built for toughness. Are they mentally tougher too? Bolder horses and ponies are less easily frightened, quicker to try something new. They are also less easily intimidated, and quicker to fight back if they feel unfairly treated.
Solution: Be clear, fair, and consistent in all training and handling. Make sure he understands exactly what you want him to do. When unwanted behavior happens, respond with clarity, patience, and persistence; not escalating pressure or punishment. Look for ways to enjoy happy adventures together.
Resources:
This minipost explains how I taught Love to stay behind the door sill. Love Learns Stall Door Rules

Moor and Shadow like their job

4. Curiosity
All horses are naturally curious, but ponies often seem to have extra busy minds with lots of creativity. These are the ones who open latches, escape fences, and play with everything in sight.
Solution: Keep him busy! Give him a job: riding, driving, Horse Agility, leadline walks, anything that provides structure and interest. Or provide challenging entertainment. Put things in his paddock to play with; anything he can’t hurt himself on that is either indestructible or expendable. Create games like hiding food under things (tarp, cone, bit of old carpet, etc) so he has to sniff it out. Anything that challenges him to think and use his problem-solving skills without getting in trouble!
Resources:
Games to play with your horse:
Why Play With Our Horses
The International Horse Agility Club
Introducing children to Horse Agility:
What I Learned One Summer from Two Kids and a Pony
More information about ponies in The Horse (online magazine):
Pony Power

Brandy trots through a bottle field in step with her handler