Posted 2015-05-19 8:19 PM Subject: Patterning a kids horse
Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
I have taken on a project of turning a peppy pony into a kids barrel horse, he is quick, responsive, and naturally athletic. I ride horses I am working with on the barrels with two hands almost all the time until they are consistent enough to run on their own without lots of my help. I was thinking, since this is going to be a little kids horse once I'm done with him, should I only use one hand going around the barrel when I'm working with him, I know my barrel pony was taught by neck reining around the barrel, and she was amazing, but it's not correct. Opinions?
Posted 2015-05-19 8:27 PM Subject: RE: Patterning a kids horse
A Gopher's Worst Nightmare
Posts: 5094 Location: Southern Oregon
Honestly it depends on his size and what age you are trying to market too. My daughter started out on my old barrel horse who was a one hander, but I wish she wouldn't have! Now teaching her the "correct" way is super hard! I find myself almost just hoping on her step up horse and making him fit her
Posted 2015-05-20 9:27 AM Subject: RE: Patterning a kids horse
Expert
Posts: 1898
We picked up a pony for my daughter and I am putting her on the pattern as well. I decided that I would pattern her just as I would any of my other horses. My daughter is 3 and I am also teaching her to ride through the pattern correctly. No one handed nonsense that will have to corrected later. If she has to go slower than everyone else for a while then so be it. I want her to be correct first, the speed will come later.
Patterning a kids horse
