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| SirIan |
on Mon 16 Mar 09, 4:53 PM to SirIan's blog.
Hi Everyone
With spring comes the thought of the smell of leather harness and new grass and the feeling of warm sun on bare pony skin and a new season of pony play. Below are a few notes I have made on basic pony steps. Hope they may be of interest and tempt you to dip you hoof!
Pony Rules & Commands
Whoa! - Start with an easy one. Accompanied by even pull on reins of varying strength depending how quickly I need you to stop! Once stopped this is an 'at ease' position so a small amount of wriggling, foot stamping is permissible! It is a chance to relax and catch your breath. Stand - This command may be added after Stop or on its own. . Likely to be used in dressage as it means stopping immediately and standing still to attention, alert, head up, chest out, looking forward with feet about 12-18" apart. Walk on - Accompanied by a shake of the reins, it is the command to move. This is a steady, graceful walk. Leg is raised so that thigh is about 30-45 degrees (not as high as stepping) lower leg is then 'kicked out' gently with toe pointed as foot is lowered. Always lead off with right leg. Emphasis on style, balance and grace not speed.
Get on – This is the same as walk on except at faster pace Step - A dressage step. This is a high stepping move. Thighs raised to 90 degrees and then lower leg kicked out as above. A slow deliberate and stylish move. Important to try and retain balance and poise Back - A command from the stop position, basically walk on but backwards accompanied by steady backward pull on reins. Side - Again from stop position and used in dressage and accompanied by short, sharp pull to one side of rein. If pull is to turn left then right leg is then raised and crossed over in front of left before bringing 2nd leg back behind 1st to stand position. One step at a time, each one accompanied by one pull on rein. Again it is important to retain balance and poise. This is used to turn sharp left, right or 180º around and always from a stationary position
Track – Essentially the same as Side except that instead of moving exactly to the side you move 45% forward, i.e. diagonally. Once command 'track' has been given and a pull on the reins to indicate left or right you will continue with this step until told to stop.
Canter This is a 'skipping' gait. Both feet will leave ground at same time at one point in step. Easy to demonstrate than describe! Once you have practised these and you get used to reins and the feel of the bit we can gradually practise reducing voice commands and relying solely on reins and bit. The ultimate is adding a blindfold once you have total trust in your handler!
These may appear simple but try doing them with your hands clasped behind your back as you will not have the use of them to balance when in pony role. Do sets of 100 on the spot. Particularly pay attention to retaining balance with head up. When you can you 100 easily and balanced do them with your eyes closed. Practise makes perfect!
