The Other Pony

[equinefaith]

Well I introduced Christopher to get your opinions, but I am just posting this guy for fun. I tend to work more on him because he is going to be a riding pony in lessons, and Christopher is just a side project for the kiddo until Toby has learned some manners.

Toby is a Shetland/Fjord backyard bred, rescued from a man who didn't care for him after he proved to be too much to handle to be on a pony ride circle. He is around 10 years old, and has been in my trainers care for about 4 years. He is a hardheaded punk, and used to be about 100 pounds heavier than he is now.

After sitting for the first 3 years, I was "hired" on to work him. He will be a cart pony eventually, but for now I am working on his ground manners. He is mainly used in lessons for jumpers. After a year with me, he is now an EXPERT on the lungeline. I don't have to use a whip most of the time, and he goes strictly off of voice or body cues. I also ground drive him, but he has a hard time understanding the whole I'm supposed to be behind him concept. He LOVES to jump, and jumps higher than a lot of the full size horses at the barn. He takes oxers, verticals, spreads. I do this on the lungeline mostly, but in his lessons and when his usual rider works him, he is jumped as well. About 4 months ago he was in his conditioning prime, since between 3 people and lessons, he was worked at least 6 days a weeks. Now he's worked about as much as Christopher lol.

He's a little conformationally ugly, but here he is

 

[kaykay]

He may not be a halter horse but hes got that intelligence in the eyes and looks like he is willing and wanting to please and that makes a great pony!

 

[~Lisa~]

He is adorable and looks like he will make a great short stirrup pony

 

[ckmini]

he's cute, quirky, and seems to enjoy his job. . . all qualities that make a great lesson pony! (He reminds me alot of a lesson pony I learned to ride and jump on) These "fiesty" ponies are what make kids into good, confident riders. Good luck with him!

 

[muffntuf]

You know he may not be a halter pony, but he likes his job and would be an extremely valuable lesson pony or kid pony! Keep him working!

 

[equinefaith]

Yes, he is VERY smart- he knows his job and he loves it. He just likes to add a little spunk to his day

He loves to play, and he is so much fun to teach new things to. He learns quickly and loves to please.

Thanks for the comments

 

[krissy3]

Hey , I really like him !! He is a little funny , but definatly a huggable "cutie" that looks very sweet , mild mannered , and willing to do whatever was asked of him. I think his movement is just fine.. he is not fancy, or flashy, but has good movement, and nicly tucked legs for that jump, back legs track up nicely. Diamond in the rough is what i would call him. Its great that you are training him , and turning him into a "superstar" your training will keep him from ever going to an auction and being sold to a slaughter, sad subject , but the best insurance is training.... thanks for posting, keep up the training , your doing great from what I can see.

 

[~Dan]

Hes pretty cute. I really like his coloring the most though.

He looks like he would make a good cart pony or a lesson pony.