H&C received an email from one user who has been having problems making their pony stand still.

“I have just bought my first pony - a 14.1hh Cob x Trotter. She has a lovely temperament but when I ride her she tends to do tiny rears if I make her halt. I'm not scared to ride her, I’m sure it's just excitement, but she won't stand still! I need some help on how to get rid of this habit."

Jason Webb replies: 

Hello and thank you for your question. Congratulations on getting your first pony, you are right to nip these problems in the bud before they escalate. Horses that are forward-thinking can develop habits such as rushing or rearing, but this can be avoided using simple tools.

Sometimes when a rider wants to ask their horse to stand still they can be inclined to pull back and hold the horse on the spot. The problem with this is that if the horse has excess energy or excitability, that energy needs to go somewhere. If you are holding them, they can’t go forwards, so they tend to go up or rush backwards. 

I will talk you though an exercise which will give you the tools to use when you are in this situation with your horse; I call it the “winding down” exercise. The exercise will teach your horse to stand, be patient and remain calm - but it will take perseverance until your horse gets the idea.

Winding down

Instead of holding your horse on the spot, when she moves off without you asking her, simply walk her in very small circles. You may find that you march round and round before she is ready to stop on the spot where you originally asked her to stand, but do not worry too much, just go with it. You may also find she breaks into a trot on the small circle, again do not worry, she will soon tire and want to stand. 

Once your horse stands still, immediately relax - then let her stand and think about what just happened. This time is for reflection and is when she learns that standing still is what you want her to do.  If she gets impatient again and starts to march off, put her back on the circling exercise. This way your horse will learn it doesn’t get anywhere by marching off, and at the same time you will be working down this excess energy and making your horse calmer.

Jason's top tips tips:

• Do not pull back on the reins; as soon as you feel your horse isn’t going to stand then put it on a circle.
• As soon as your horse slows down and is ready to stand, allow it to do so back on the spot you wanted to stand at originally.
• Stay consistent and be ready to implement this exercise at any time: in the school, at a show, and on hacks.
• Remember - once they do stand not to walk on too quickly, as next time your horse may anticipate this.
• Only use one rein to direct your horse onto the circle, and have an open rein  - take the hand away from the horses neck in the direction you want them to go, creating a space for the neck and shoulders to travel towards - as in the picture. 

Best of luck

Jason Webb