Simply put, ponying means to lead a horse alongside the horse you're riding. On the trail, ponying comes in handy when training a new horse. As the ponied horse's herd instinct kicks in, he'll likely follow his leader through terrain that might otherwise seem intimidating, such as crossing water. And he'll experience spook-inducing, wide-open country without risking a rider's fall.
You might also wish to pony a horse carrying supplies to a campsite, a horse a child is riding for greater control, an injured horse that needs exercise to heal, or a horse whose owner has experienced an accident or injury.
In each case, you'll need to know how to pony a horse safely - how to keep you, your horse, and the ponied horse safe. It's a complex task to carefully ride your own horse and pay attention to another, all while holding the reins in one hand and a lead rope in the other.
But horses don't mind the proximity, because it's natural for them to travel at speed while close to one another. (Imagine a herd of wild mustangs speeding across the plains.) Once you know how to handle the ropes, ponying can become a natural, easy way to travel.
Here, top clinician/trainer Julie Goodnight will teach you how to pony a horse safely while avoiding common pitfalls. You'll learn how to hold a lead rope and reins at the same time and what to do if the ponied horse moves into an unsafe position. You'll also gain tips to keep the ponied horse moving along at the speed you request.
Before you begin, make sure your pony horse - the saddle horse you'll ride - is comfortable with other horses riding nearby. Does he pin his ears or turn away from other horses on group rides? If so, choose another pony horse.
Your pony horse should also be easily controlled with one hand on the reins so you'll have an extra hand to hold onto the ponied horse's lead rope. He should be a safe, reliable mount that doesn't spook.
Your pony horse should also calmly allow ropes to touch his legs and tail, and should drag logs without spooking. These skills will ensure that he won't be bothered by the proximity of another horse and lead rope.
Your ponied horse should be halter broke and lead well from the ground. To be safe, both horses must have good ground manners and know not to interact with other horses when a human is present. (If you need help with either horse's manners, consult a reputable trainer, and find educational DVDs to assist you.)
Exercise Prep
Natural-horsemanship lesson: Learn how to safely pony a horse beside you as you ride.
Why you need it on the trail: Ponying a young horse can help expose him to new scenes and experiences before he totes a rider. He'll learn to brave new feats while following a trusted, reliable leader and follow along more willingly than if he were alone. It's also a useful skill in case you need to help a child or injured friend on a long ride. Your horse will also be able to lead a pack animal or an extra horse on pack trips.
What you'll do: You'll learn how to handle the ponied horse's rope, how to cue the ponied horse to move forward, how to teach the ponied horse to stay in position, and how to approach new obstacles while ponying.
What you'll need: A saddle with a rigid tree (a flexible tree may apply pressure unevenly across your horse's back if the ponied horse pulls) and a bridle for the horse you'll ride; a rope halter and 12-foot lead rope for the horse you'll pony. Wear gloves to protect your hands from rope burns if the ponied horse pulls.
Step #1. Learn the Ropes
Outfit the horses in the tack listed above. Position the ponied horse on the right side of your pony horse. Holding the lead rope and reins in your left hand, move to your pony horse's left side, and mount up. As soon as you're in the saddle, keep the reins in your left hand, but transfer the ponied horse's lead rope to your right hand (Photo 1A).
Note: Always hold the pony horse's rope in a way that you can easily drop it if one horse slips or spooks - never tie or knot the two horses together.
Double the lead rope so you can easily lengthen and shorten it. When the lead rope is safely doubled, you'll see a loop in front of your knee as your hand rests on your leg. Never wrap the lead rope around your hand; if the ponied horse pulls or bolts, you'll likely become injured.
Note the doubled rope in Goodnight's left hand (Photo 1A). The rope nearest to her pinky finger is attached to the horse and lies next to the rope's end. The rope extending from her thumb and forefinger is doubled. She's in position, relaxed, and ready to cue her pony horse by neck reining.
Avoid holding the rope too far behind you (Photo 1B). With this hold and without a doubled rope, too much slack allows your ponied horse to fall far behind your pony horse - precisely in kicking position. The loose rope can also tangle in your pony horse's legs or slip under his tail, potentially causing a wreck.
Goodnight will hold this rope and rein position as long as she's working with a young horse. By holding the rope - instead of fully dallying the rope around the saddle horn - she can cue her pony horse to move forward or back. She also ensures that the horses won't be connected if the new ponied horse spooks.
When Goodnight knows her pony horse is obeying and compliant, she'll often half-loop the lead rope around the saddle horn. This allows her to relax her grip and hold only one piece of the rope. The rope isn't knotted and can quickly be released from the horn.
