Yesterday's Pony School was lots of fun!
Everyone made friends, learnt heaps and kicked some goals. And the weather was good too.
Unfortunately, I never remember to take photos when we're teaching 😆, so here's Sophie and Mickey the wonder pony from a couple of months back.
If you missed this Tuesday though, we still have next Tuesday to go, and we still have spots!
Join us for the full day or half day for the holiday fun 😁
(Plus there's pony rides this Saturday or a two hour pony rebels lesson next weekend)
#rebelequestriancentre #schoolholidays #ponies
Sophie and Mickey 🥰 Very proud of both of them and the partnership they have forged.
It's been quite the journey with this little guy.
4 years ago when he came into our lives, he was scared, traumatised, reactive, would completely shut down and switch off but then explode unpredictably.
Sophie has stuck by him, and bravely helped us work through his issues. Continuously getting back on, even when he's scared her. Talk about courage, persistence and love!
Now, they are doing pony club together, and jumping!! Mickey tries his little heart out for her. Plus, we trust Mickey to keep even our tiniest riding school riders safe and sound. He's such an important member of our team.
He is such a sweet, beautiful little pony. We love him to bits and can't wait to see how far he and Sophie go together ❤️
(Sometimes it's the trickiest horses that end up giving us the most 😁 )
#rebelequestriancentre #horsemanship #horsetraining
ROSIE UPDATE // This little mare has come so far...
When we got her, she would instantly rear in panic the second she felt any pressure on the lead and halter. She tried to flip herself over in the float when we picked her up, she would rear and try to flip when anywhere near the tie up rail.
You literally could only lead her a few steps forward anywhere outside her paddock before she would rear. There was a lot of fear, but also defensiveness and fight. A walk up our driveway was interesting indeed!
Everything stressed this poor girl, to the point where she always had her head in the air, even when resting in the paddock 🙁
I wish we had of got her original behaviour on video, but Toby and I needed our wits about us when we were around her. The poor little thing was so traumatised. And we certainly didn't let the kids near her, until she was safer.
Now, look at how soft and sweet she is with Sophie. Instead of the defensive, worried high head carriage and tense muscles, she has learnt to let is all go and to relax (with us and at rest in the paddock). The rearing has stopped, she is getting more relaxed at the tie up rail and after this video, Sophie hopped on and rode her around the paddock calmly (on lead for now).
She is curious, far more trusting and happily comes up to us in the paddock for cuddles and to be caught. She chooses to engage with us, rather than snarking and trying to escape!
This mare is 11 and has had some really poor handling and experiences in her lifetime. Everything before us has not been pleasant for her, and we'd be guessing that she's had an accident or two at the tie up rails. (She's told us!)
But it's amazing how forgiving horses are when someone finally takes the time to understand what they really need mentally and emotionally.
It's honestly not that difficult to do. And it's why we're able to re-educate these tricky ponies with great results.
True horsemanship with the right balance of leadership and gentleness. Taking
Little Bubblegum is much improved!
In the last video, further down our page, you'll see that he was inconsistent and a little confused/worried about leg aids and going forward.
Last week, he learnt the idea of travelling forward and of following the feel of the reins. Not perfect - but way better.
He still likes a little of reassurance with someone to follow, but Toby was much further away here, and he was actually listening and responding to Sophie's requests.
He's a sweet little guy, and with a few more miles, will be an ace little kids pony.
If you're in the market he's now available for viewing.
Best suited to a confident little rider, preferably with an experienced adult for guidance while he continues to learn.
He has huge potential as a pony clubber, trail rider and allrounder!
In the meantime, Sophie will continue to work her magic and advance him further :)
#rebelequestriancentre #ponytraining #ponyforsale
Sophie has been a busy little pony rider lately, as not only has she had her own pony to work and educate (Mickey) and Miss Alice in training, but she's also been working with Mr Bubblegum too.
This was her first ride off lead on Bubblegum. He's learnt his job well on lead, but gets a little anxious and unsure off lead, particularly with going forward, which we're working on. Sophie is also learning how to offer more clarity when teaching the younger ponies.
Here, Bubblegum was also in a bitless bridle, which we sometimes find useful in teaching young ponies how to respond to the reins first, without the added anxiety that often comes from the bit initially. He has been getting used to wearing a bit during groundwork so next step is for him to get more comfortable with taking direction from the reins with the bit.
We always do our best to not rush the training process and are always guided by the horse. We like to take care of the little details and thought patterns in each pony, rather than skipping things or getting harsher to get the job done quicker.
Rushing and skipping past basics, or ignoring the tiny negative thoughts a pony might have, generally will lead to bigger trouble in a pony later.
This little man will continue to have all the little details sorted out so he becomes a happy, confident pony for his new owner.
He will be amazing for the right kid, and is not far off being ready to go. Enquire within 😁
#rebelequestriancentre #horsemanship #horsetraining
Miss Alice is doing really well - this was her earlier in the week, the first time with the bridle with us. Sophie does a great job. Next step is to try her off lead.
More work clearly needed, as she is still learning, but she has such a sweet, willing nature and tries really hard. Interestingly, she was actually gaining comfort from Sophie's requests with the reins - and softening nicely, which is exactly what you want.
Not a plodder - but a brilliant fun pony in the making!
Thing to note:
>When a horse shakes it's head, as you'll see in this video, in this case it's because they are actually trying to relax themselves (and literally shaking off the tension).
>The same goes for the yawning.
>You'll notice how gentle Sophie is with her aids - many ponies like Alice fare better with a super slow, soft and gentle approach. Go too big or abrupt when it's not needed and you can cause mega anxiety (and long-lasting issues). Only get bigger if the initial soft request is ignored. Too many people flood sensitive ponies with pressure.
This pony is amazing though, as she really does try.
Lots more video's on our YouTube channel (Rebel Equestrian Centre) of Sophie handling her. If you're after a nice, quality kids pony, get in touch.
(And stay tuned for the float training video's to come which we promise will be fascinating!)
#rebelequestriancentre #ponytraining #horsemanship
Alice's First Ride (With Sophie)
Alice had her first proper ride with us yesterday evening. Sophie had sat on her bareback in the paddock, but this was the first real ride with the saddle.
She did amazingly well! Yes she's been green broken in, but not done much, and not for several years. It's always interesting for us seeing where a new horse is at and finding all the gaps in their training.
Sophie is such a brave little superstar - jumping on these unknown ponies for us with such enthusiasm! We of course make sure a pony has done the necessary groundwork and is in a nice, safe mental state before putting her on - and there was no way I was letting go of her for this first ride - but otherwise, it's Miss Sophie working her magic with her relaxed, perfect seat.
This little pony mare is going to be a ripper of a pony for a lucky kid very soon!
She was actually in season when we did this, and despite her girly antics with the boys out in the paddock, it did not change her lovely temperament once she was being handled by us and the kids.
If you're in the market for a nice kids pony, feel free to message us about this one. She still needs a couple of weeks more work - and she won't be a complete plodder, but for a kid who has had a few lessons I think she'll be the perfect starter pony.
#rebelequestriancentre #ponyfun #ponies #ponytraining
Who wants to learn to ride like Sophie these school holidays? 🥳
Apache the pony is such a sweet boy and loads of fun 😁
School Holiday Program:
➡️PONY SCHOOL - 20th, 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th
Half Day = $50 (9.30 - 1.30 / 12.30 - 4.30)
Full Day = $90 (9.30 - 4.30)
UNBEATABLE VALUE! Ages 5+ - any level of rider welcome :)
➡️PONY REBELS LESSONS - See booking system for dates or PM
2 Hours of pony fun for just $35.
Ages 4+ - any level of rider welcome.
➡️PONY RIDES & CUDDLES - See booking system for dates or PM
Just $15 Per Child.
Any age - toddlers welcome :)
We incorporate pony care, grooming, horsemanship (how ponies think and behave), ground handling skills AND riding into our lessons.
Fully insured. Experienced instructors. Lovely ponies and horses.
We're just 35/40 minutes from Delacombe/Ballarat or just under an hour from Geelong.
SO MUCH PONY FUN TO BE HAD!
Message the page to book your spot :)
(Excuse the no boots on Miss Sophie in the video - it was impromptu ride while checking saddle fit this weekend!)
#rebelequestriancentre #schoolholidays #horseriding #ballarat
"Can be pushy on the ground"...
Is a very common statement that we constantly see in horse advertisements - as if it's a permanent personality trait in the horse that we have to put up with and which will never change.
We even see it from big name trainers selling horses.
However, pushiness on the ground is NOT something you have to, or should, put up with!
While yes, some horses are inherently wired towards it, it is NEVER a permanent state of being - UNLESS people allow it to be.
It is sooooooooo easily fixed with some basic knowledge and skill. In fact, it can be fixed in mere minutes.
A horse is 'pushy' on the ground if they feel they need to be, because:
a) Their handlers/owners have not stepped into the leadership role in the horses perspective - so they have taken over.
b) They are naturally a more dominant personality.
c) They are worried/anxious so are trying to keep themselves safe by being dominant or by simply standing on top of you (in the hope you'll save them from a lion!).
'Pushiness' on the ground comes down to a lack of manners or boundaries that humans have never bothered to notice or instil in the horse.
Generally, it's seen as horses who like to stand on top of their handler (constantly invading the persons personal space).
It's also seen in conjunction with other undesirable behaviours, such as a horse dragging it's handler around on the lead - with the horse ignoring it's handlers requests, diving its head down to eat grass, biting and more.
So, how do you fix it? Proper ground work and handling that pays attention to a horses mental state and where their thoughts are...
To understand it though, you need to first know that horses are always looking for leadership.
Horses are prey animals, forever on alert for danger.
In a herd situation, there will always be a dominant boss horse.
Their role is to keep the others in line, in order to keep all of them safe.
In the event of a threat, the boss horse is the one who acts first and l
Rokewood Pony Club gymkhana 😁
EXCITING // We started the breaking in process with little Miss Magic (one of the rescue ponies) today.
It was surprisingly uneventful 😁
This was the first time she'd had the girth done up on the saddle (plus we've only rested the saddle on her once before).
And it was definitely the first time she's ever had anyone on her back.
She really wasn't overly fazed at all.
Sophie did an amazing job and was stoked to be Magic's first rider.
Looks like Magic might be taking over the toddler pony rides much sooner than we thought (old Mr Snowball will be relieved! 😅 ).
#rebelequestriancentre #ponies #ponytraining
Sophie was designing obstacle courses for the new pony riding school...and then tested them out with Mickey...who apparently passed with flying colours 😁
#rebelequestriancentre #ponies #pony #ridingschool #equestrian #horses #horseriding #ponyplay
