Ahhhh… ponies usually they are very cute, fuzzy, adorable, and oh so mischievous. I think every child should have to learn on a pony. They can be easier to control than a full sized horse (not in all cases though) and they tend to have a stubborn streak in them like no other. I think if a child can successfully learn how to ride on a pony, then they are good to go on a larger mount. The first lessons I took were on a paint Shetland pony named “Tidbit.” I hope you have a cute picture in your head of what he looked like, because that is exactly what he looked like! He was also NOT the easiest pony to ride! They told me he had an iron jaw. I was 9 at the time and his jaw didn’t look iron to me. He was fuzzy and cute, however, I was slightly upset I wasn’t riding a “big” horse. To put it in perspective, big horses at this barn were actually large ponies. When your 9 a large pony is a “big horse.” I also had no idea what an “iron jaw” really was, but I sure found out soon. That pony did what he wanted, when he wanted, and where he wanted. Now, he wasn’t unsafe.. I did alright with him, but I definitely learned turning could be a challenge.

When we think of Dressage we think of massive 18 hand warmbloods with gaits half a mile long and half passes that take 4 steps to cross the ring. We don’t think about ponies doing a lengthening or flying changes. In truth, their are some fantastic ponies out there doing dressage and I think they may even give the big guys a run for their money. While scribing at shows, I have had the privilege to see many a talented pony. I remember one year I was at Dressage at Lexington showing and this little girl on a Morgan pony crushed everyone in Training Level. The pony was perfect, the little girl, cute as a bug (with a great position too… darn her), this all amounted to a killer combination and they were unstoppable. Even though they were in my level, I loved them too!

On the topic of ponies, I went in search of some videos of ponies doing dressage. I really wanted a good video of an FEI pony doing a test. I was disappointed to not have much luck, but I did find the video below. The video was made because the pony was for sale, but I was really impressed with the content, quality, and talent of this pony. I wonder how long it takes to train flying changes to the 18 hand guys when this pony makes it look like it is almost as easy as walking. Check it out!

What a neat pony! She may not have a big lengthening or sweeping strides, but she looks like a pony that would be a pleasure to ride. She also looks like she enjoys her job and is having fun too! I liked what the trainer said about her training methods and exposing horses to new things and environments. NOT that everyone needs to go out riding bareback and herd cows with their dressage horses. That is a weeee bit crazy if you aren’t used to that kind of thing. I also don’t want any one getting hurt. What we can do, is try to keep our riding and training interesting for our benefit as well as our horse’s.

To any of you readers out there with ponies…Don’t think you have to have a giant horse to do Dressage. Honestly, I am pretty short myself and I would look ridiculous on an 18 hand horse. Some ponies make awesome dressage horses, so keep up your hard work… becuase I’m betting you will learn a lot from that pony.

I have one more video for today. Your thinking, “two videos, what have I done to deserve this?” It’s your lucky day I guess. Maybe “Two for Tuesday!” OK.. that is bad. Anyway the video… This one circulated a while ago so many of you probably have seen it, but it is such a great video and I had to include it in this article because it fits in perfectly. For all of you pony riders, I hope the “PONY POWER” is a force in 2010. Best Wishes!