Pony Walker

This is a rotating pole that the pony is attached to and forced to walk and run around in circles. The pony is to be attached to the walker before the training starts to exhaust him a little so he is easier to handle while being trained.

Lungeing

The pony's bit is attached to a lead rein and the trainer uses a long lungeing whip (about 10ft). To start the pony is tapped on the rump to move off and is taught that one tap signifies a walk, with the verbal command "walk on", two a trot and three faster taps a canter, four faster taps a gallop.

The pony is taught to move from one speed to another and to stop when the whip is placed on the lower part of the stomach accompanied with the verbal command "Whoa"

During this training the pony is taught the correct deportment, head up, kness properly lifted and to the right height the correct responses and good habits are learnt for cart pulling later.

Long Reining

After the pony has mastered the lungeing long reins are attached to each side of the bit and the trainer drives the pony from behind with the aid of a coaching whip, starting with a tap to signify a walk. They are then taught to move left when the trainer pulls the reins left thus pulling the pony's head to the left and right when she pulls right. If the pony doesn't respond well a blind fold can be fitted to improve behaviour.

Cart Pull

Not until the trainer is satisfied that the pony has learnt the basic commands will she attach the pony cart. Using the commands learnt above the pony is driven around for the rider's pleasure, the pony is often left exhausted.

More advanced training involves learning and being tested on the four Basic Gaits, Backing Up, learning Serpentines and Figure of 8's Marking Time, The Pony Salute, etc.