How to Break a Pony for Riding

Familiarize your horse with ground manners in preparation for groundwork in the round pen. Leading, grooming, cleaning its feet, getting it used to standing while tied, wearing a halter and being trailered with another horse will make the training process easier and more successful.

Catch your horse, put on the halter, attach the lead rope and lead it to the round pen.

Enter the round pen and ensure it's free from obstacles or items under foot. Ask your assistant to remain outside the round pen and ready to help if needed.

Stand at your horse's left side, facing its withers. Grasp the lead rope closest to the horse's face with your left hand, raise it to shoulder level and with your right hand gently swing the other end of the rope toward the hind end of the horse while walking toward it. As the horse begins moving in a small circle, away from the rope, it learns to move its hindquarters at your command. Stop when your horse crosses one hind leg past the other.

Position yourself in front of your horse and walk toward it slowly, encouraging it to back up three to four steps and stop.

Stand in front of your horse, lean in toward it and walk briskly or slightly jog backward, pulling on the rope. At the moment you feel your horse stop pulling against you, give some slack in the rope and release pressure. That rewards the horse for moving properly and in the direction you ask.

Continue moving backward and switch the lead rope so that your right hand is holding the end closest to the halter. Position yourself near the horse's withers on its right side, walk toward its back end and use your left hand to quickly swing the end of the rope toward its right hindquarters. When your horse is moving quickly, decreasing movement and pressure, slowing the horse and bringing it to a stop.

Expect complete attention from your horse within approximately 10 seconds of asking for its obedience. Observe where it focuses its eyes as you perform groundwork. Determine if your horse looks off to the side, loses interest or focus. Both eyes should be watching you at all times. Tap your horse with the rope and click or kiss with your mouth to avoid distractions.

Stand to the left side of your horse, and hold the end of the lead rope approximately two inches below the halter with your left hand. Place your right hand on top of your horse's head, and gently pull down on the lead rope while applying pressure on its head. Release pressure from the rope and head, and praise your horse as soon as it begins to relax and drop its head. Repeat the process from the other side and continue until the horse lowers its head completely.

Make it uncomfortable for your horse if it resists lowering its head. If it refuses, assertively ask it to back up five to six steps. Position yourself near its head and repeat the head-dropping exercise.

Rub the towel over your horse's body, concentrating on its head, back legs and haunches. Continue until your horse becomes comfortable and stands still for several minutes as you move around its body.

Show your horse the saddle pad, allowing it to smell it. Rub the saddle pad over your horse's body, focusing on its withers, back and hind end. Gently pull the pad over its back several times until your horse has no reaction. That will accustom your horse to the saddling process.

Pat your horse's body lightly, yet firmly on both sides to get it used to being touched.

Lift your horse's tail and gently rub it. That is comforting to the horse and will help it continue to relax. It is highly important that at this point, you can rub your horse anywhere on its body without its head coming up in surprise, tension or discomfort. That is vital to putting the saddle on and mounting your horse for riding.

Stand to your horse's left side and, while keeping your hands on its body, jump up and down. That will prepare your horse for mounting.

Request that your assistant give you the saddle, and place it off to one side of the round pen.

Walk your horse near the saddle, approximately 10 feet away and pass by it several times.

Circle your horse around the saddle and move its hindquarters using the lead rope. Continue moving your horse's feet, moving closer to the saddle.

Stop your horse and allow it to rest near the saddle. Insist that your horse must earn rest in order to be near the saddle by working your horse when it is away from it and resting while near it. That communicates to your horse that the saddle is associated with comfort.

Introduce the saddle to your horse if it displays comfort and interest by dropping its head and sniffing. Pick up the saddle slowly and show it to your horse, allowing it to smell and investigate it.

Put the saddle on your horse's back gently and allow it to stand for approximately three to five minutes as you praise and stroke it.

Cinch the saddle straps under your horse's belly loosely, but do not tighten them.

Perform groundwork by asking your horse to back up, move forward, circle its hindquarters in both directions and walk and trot the perimeter of the round pen. Ensure that your horse is yielding to your pressure and you are able to control the direction and speed of its movements without resistance.

Tighten the saddle's cinch. Ask your horse to drop its head, and put the reins and bridle on.

Stand at your horse's left side. Grab some of its mane in your left hand and hold the back of the saddle with your right hand. Position your left foot in the stirrup and bounce three times, pulling yourself up. Stand in the stirrup, but don't pull your leg over the horse. Remain in this position until you can gauge your horse's reaction. That will give you time to step off and back away from your horse if needed. Swing your leg over when your horse is ready and sit the saddle.