Is there a need for pony trainers??

[hrfponies]

With all of this talk about the new pony futurity....it brings me to this question. Is there a need for people to break ponies? I am a small adult that still has never gotten over my pony phase. I take on a couple of my own project ponies a year but would like to get into the ponies a little more. I enjoy breaking them and getting them started over fences. I have wanted to start a pony training operation but......is there a need for it? or is that an over populated field???

[Summerwood]

I am in Michigan, not far north of Ohio and I believe there is a need for it in our area. See mayeshowponies.com for someone who has been quite successful starting a program, albeit in VA where there are lots of ponies. As a breeder, I would find it particularly invaluable if you had some young riders at your disposal to continue on with showing/training/little people experience after you were done riding them. I am light enough to get on the meds but the smalls I feel a bit too tall on. If you genuinely are small enough to get on those then I think you will have lots of interest.

[webmistress32]

I have two pony clubbers at home one of which loves to ride ponies. I am also small enough for a pony as an adult.

I have considered starting a pony training as there does seem to be a dearth of well trained and reasonably priced ponies in my area.

specifically I'd like to do pony rescues and then retrain / rehome. currently it's just a fantasy.

but yes I think there's a huge market!

ps I am in chicago

[Artie]

hrf ponies, thats exactly the question that I was about to ask on here.....I'm a 5ft "pony only" rider too :lol:

[rideagoldenpony]

Yes, there's a great market, especially for someone who can ride the smaller ponies.

I am very fortunate to be married to a trainer, but he is way too tall for the smaller ponies. (He's VERY thin, so not too heavy for the ponies, in spite of his height.)

Most pony breeders are not so lucky as to have a trainer in the family, and as such, finding someone who is the right height and does a good job is quite difficult.

I think if you are good at what you do, you would have more customers than you could even deal with.

[Windswept Stable]

We stay quite busy at it every season.
And now given that adults can ride 3 yr olds in the futurity, brings an even bigger need.
And as one poster replied, keeping a junior rider around for public appearances is a big challenge. It's hard to find a kid that rides well enough for the green ones.

[Sugarbrook]

Yes, Yes, Yes, we need pony riders. Anyone in Central Fl that is small enough to do even the 'smalls'? Please come my way.

[hluing]

I'm with Sugarbrook....except I need a medium pony rider in central Fl. That being said, I think this is a good nitch a lot of places.

[VirginiaBred]

There are LOTS of Trainers, but a huge need for small enough people to break them.

Drew Taylor (daughter of Richard & Patsy Taylor, Montpelier Station, VA) is the best in the business for breaking ponies. Superior rider and small.

That being said, there is a large void for the truly talented smaller, professional pony breaker.

[erinwillow]

IMO I say yes, PLEASE! We so desperately need PONY trainers, people who are passionate about, love, and can relate to ponies and not do so begrudginly (sp??). . you know what I mean? Like, I wish there were more confident and capable (professional) trainers who embraced ponies as the magnificent animals that they are and NOT have to say something like, "not bad. . .for a pony!":mad: So, I would support your interest in starting ponies. . make sure your heart is in it for all the right (pony) reasons and I say you've got a plan! :winkgrin:

[Daydream Believer]

I am never happier than when I'm training one of the little ones. I have the CUTEST little 13 hander in right now!!! To die for movement, sweet temperament, extremely cute, and I'm going to really enjoy this little guy.

I will ride the big ones too...I did for years... but my heart is with small horses and ponies.

Anyone in the SE or Mid Atlantic that needs a pony started, look me up. I LOFF it!

[quicksilverponies]

There is a big need for good pony trainers, and especially as VB said, small people skilled at starting young ponies correctly. I have a great rider that helps me break ponies and starts them (with my help) calmly and quietly. But she is not a truly skilled hunter rider, so I have to move on to another professional to help finish the pony for the show ring. And I agree, a really good small child rider is hard to come by, but also necessary to get the show mileage on a young pony. A small in size adult rider is a necessity when it comes to jumping - not just light in weight, as a tall upper torso can affect the jump in a smaller pony as well as how the pony moves. Just my 2 cents. By the way, Tiffany, come on over any time!

[Sassenach]

One of the perks of being my size (4'10) is I can ride any of the ponies :) we're also very fortunate now that I'm at college that we have a great group of young girls on the showteam at our barn who adore our ponies and are more than happy to ride them.

[LovesHorses]

I wish we had a bigger market of people needing working on their young hunter ponies in California....then I could quit my day job riding the full sized ones! My favorite time of the day is after work when I get to school my own ponies. It is incredibly rewarding.

[Blinkers On]

Acouple friends of mine train ponies here in LA. The one's daughter can ride! She gets on the small ones. The daughter competes

[tempichange]

We need more dressage pony trainers especially. We need to connect riders with breeders.

Ideas?

[Dressage_Diva333]

I think there is a huge need for Dressage pony trainers, I've been looking for one for my stallion, without much luck :no:

[tempichange]

I think there is a huge need for Dressage pony trainers, I've been looking for one for my stallion, without much luck :no:

The problem is I've been looking for clientle and prospective ponies to compete with.

[exvet]

We need more dressage pony trainers especially. We need to connect riders with breeders.

Ideas?

I think there is a huge need for Dressage pony trainers, I've been looking for one for my stallion, without much luck.

Well it sounds as if location/distance is also a problem. I have been seriously considering going to part-time hours for my clinic so that I can spend more time training ponies for dressage; however, there is little to no demand/need in my area. I have ponies ranging from 13 hands on up and have so much fun with these guys. As others have said, I find my time riding/training after work to be rather therapeutic and there's nothing more satisfying then seeing them progress. I have been asked to take on ponies for training for others with the idea that I would foot the full bill and if the pony sells we can discuss a distribution of sales revenue (ie, consignment) but with the market so slim in this area particularly for dressage ponies, not to mention hunter ponies, and the cost of feed it's simply not feasible to do. Yet it is so tempting if I thought for a moment I wouldn't lose my shirt doing so. Currently all my "in training" critters (ranging from just getting started to FEI) are either those I've bought/bred or those that were given to me (to do with what I wish) because they were deemed too sensitive/reactive/hot by previous trainers/owners.

[unbridledoaks]

I love training ponies and have never had my stable empty (until now, due to being 8 1/2 months pregnant) for ponies to train. I'm small, around 5'1, so I have been breaking smalls for awhile. What I have had inquiries about most of the time are trainers willing to take in pony stallions. I so enjoy working with them, and it has been quite fun. So to answer your question, yes, there is a need for them. I just can't wait to go back to training!

[tempichange]

Well it sounds as if location/distance is also a problem. I have been seriously considering going to part-time hours for my clinic so that I can spend more time training ponies for dressage; however, there is little to no demand/need in my area. I have ponies ranging from 13 hands on up and have so much fun with these guys. As others have said, I find my time riding/training after work to be rather therapeutic and there's nothing more satisfying then seeing them progress. I have been asked to take on ponies for training for others with the idea that I would foot the full bill and if the pony sells we can discuss a distribution of sales revenue (ie, consignment) but with the market so slim in this area particularly for dressage ponies, not to mention hunter ponies, and the cost of feed it's simply not feasible to do. Yet it is so tempting if I thought for a moment I wouldn't lose my shirt doing so. Currently all my "in training" critters (ranging from just getting started to FEI) are either those I've bought/bred or those that were given to me (to do with what I wish) because they were deemed too sensitive/reactive/hot by previous trainers/owners.

Ditto. I'm 5'4 on a good day, and I've been asked to get on a range of critters (others footing the bill and I ride for free), but I really want to get on more ponies. My current ones are green broke to also schooling some FEI (either bought, acquired or sitting on for free), and like you I would do more if it didn't mean loosing my shirt and eating ramen for the rest of my life.

But as out in your area, the market is slim, but not gone. We have more green ponies, and more breeders who aren't connected to the dressage world (with many of the same complaint: they want their stock shown, but don't want to pay a fortune for it) but with their particular breed circuit.

[exvet]

We have more green ponies, and more breeders who aren't connected to the dressage world (with many of the same complaint: they want their stock shown, but don't want to pay a fortune for it) but with their particular breed circuit.

Yeah that's a double whammie here 'cause there really aren't any "breed shows" to speak of regardless of what breed of pony we want to discuss.

I'm set up to keep stallions as well as pretty much anything else, but a few years ago I was offered 3 different stallions to keep, ride and show for the owner. The problem was that not only was I to foot the entire bill but I was suppose to be thankful that I was given the opportunity to pay for the trailer ride here - coast-to-coast. Um yeah, I work to not only pay for my own critters but yours too and I would love, just love to pay all those registration fees, show fees, collection and semen shipping fees (owner wanted to be able to still breed to some of her own mares) up front, just for the honor of riding stallion "x" and the "right" to breed to one of my two mares at the time 'cause none of these guys were for sale. I guess I should be shot for not grabbing "that" opportunity ;)

I have taken in ponies to show for owners for "free" but that has been on the rare occasion that I had room & only one or two of mine were old enough to show. The "free" part was in order to keep my amateur status and to put points on an animal or two that were related to mine; but, with the number that I have there usually needs to be just a little more give and take between owner and me, the test dummy, to do it anymore for critters other than my own.

[Lesley Feakins]

Yes, there is a need for pony trainers and especially dressage trainers. They are out there but you need to really look and network to find them. Just like young WB horses, its important that they are started correctly particularly if your goal is for them to reach FEI.

We start most of ours here at the farm and once they are going well, re evaluate their needs and if necessary send them on, whether they remain in dressage training or go more towards jumping or eventing. For a while we were sending the dressage ponies down to a good friend and trainer in FL where she was quickly selling them soon after they arrived.

I wish I was 20 years younger, and had the energy, being 5.2 tall I would be doing them all
myself. My daughter does some riding for me but she is a full time college student and has a part time job but over the years, we have a small pool of really good small riders/trainers to call on who will come to the farm to train, having several ponies, it makes it worth their while to train here rather than if they were just coming for one.

So, yes yes yes...we do need good pony trainers.

[tempichange]

Yeah that's a double whammie here 'cause there really aren't any "breed shows" to speak of regardless of what breed of pony we want to discuss.

I'm set up to keep stallions as well as pretty much anything else, but a few years ago I was offered 3 different stallions to keep, ride and show for the owner. The problem was that not only was I to foot the entire bill but I was suppose to be thankful that I was given the opportunity to pay for the trailer ride here - coast-to-coast. Um yeah, I work to not only pay for my own critters but yours too and I would love, just love to pay all those registration fees, show fees, collection and semen shipping fees (owner wanted to be able to still breed to some of her own mares) up front, just for the honor of riding stallion "x" and the "right" to breed to one of my two mares at the time 'cause none of these guys were for sale. I guess I should be shot for not grabbing "that" opportunity ;)



Oh your so full of it you DQ! ;) Giving up that "chance of a lifetime" footing the entire bill whilst the owner gets the kudo credits and all the benefit of freebie ownership in the end. That how it SHOULDN'T work.

I have taken in ponies to show for owners for "free" but that has been on the rare occasion that I had room & only one or two of mine were old enough to show. The "free" part was in order to keep my amateur status and to put points on an animal or two that were related to mine; but, with the number that I have there usually needs to be just a little more give and take between owner and me, the test dummy, to do it anymore for critters other than my own.

Ditto on the free part. I like my amateur status at the moment and don't have the time available to go open. So, I do it for free and to help out the general population. Plus I figure the more ponies I sit on, the better feel I can get for what I like and what I don't like.

Hey Les- you can send some of those guys to me, they would clean up down here.

[erinwillow]

We need more dressage pony trainers especially. We need to connect riders with breeders.

Ideas?

good point. .connecting riders with breeders. . .any ideas of feasibility?? Do riders have any data banks to go to to find information, save for the specific pony breeds website? I think some sort of clearinghouse for both rider and breeder would be an excellent, excellent idea, but how would it work??

[tempichange]

good point. .connecting riders with breeders. . .any ideas of feasibility?? Do riders have any data banks to go to to find information, save for the specific pony breeds website? I think some sort of clearinghouse for both rider and breeder would be an excellent, excellent idea, but how would it work??

Funny you should mention a database;) I'm one of the heads for National Dressage Pony Cup, and part of what I'm in the process of is developing a database of breeds, bloodlines and past competitors. This year-- because we're hoping to expand into a breed show, I have a feeling the bloodline end of it will take off. (hopefully a bunch of other ideas as well).

Speaking from personal experience, the reason I have the ride(s) I do now is because people saw me get on my own and compete/clinic/et all. The perk for them is I want to keep my AA status and need other things done (e.g. rides to show).

But we do need a clearing house, a way to connect a with b successfully and that's where I'm slightly stuck. The pony group as a whole is fractured, and highly competitive with each other and some breeds (e.g. welsh) don't want any part of it.

So suggestions/think tank would be great.

[erinwillow]

Tempichange,

I remember the Dressage Pony Cup-it was right here in the midwest. . in Ohio, no? I want to thank you all for starting this event and want you to know that I had tried to get one of our ponies ready for it last year, but alas, ran into this very situation. . though we start all of our own ponies. . I simply do not have the expertise to finish them. I could not find an available and geographically feasible pony trainer anywhere!! There was a woman in WI and another in KY (KY is not too too far away) but I think that was really it. We are in southcentral IN and there was like NObody right around here. There is the IU equestrian team but I am thinking that they don't generally "do" training. . .they may compete but we'd have to have someone pretty well going for that to happen. ANyway, I can also attest to the competition thing among breeders. . . but what would happen if riders could choose for themselves? That would be phenominal, IMHO. . .kind of creating data by breed, by movement, by strengths, etc. and have that available for riders to choose from. . . maybe a link on a website where riders could choose the kind or type of mount they were looking for. . .ideas? comments?

[Daydream Believer]

I'm not sure how to connect people who have the need and those of us who are service providers. I am here in SE VA and I train/ride ponies/small horses mainly in dressage but have only had limited time for showing. I have a good set up for stallions also. Not sure what one has to do to get your name out there unless it is to show. It's like a vicious circle...you don't have the client base so you can't afford to do a lot yet the only way to get the client base is to get out and compete...UGH... Like exvet, I could never afford to up front costs either.

I think the fact that we are not organized in a group is part of the problem. The problem is that every time someone goes to start a group, no one can agree on anything about how it should be run, etc...

[exvet]

maybe a link on a website where riders could choose the kind or type of mount they were looking for. . .ideas? comments?

OK I have a few questions. Before I fire away, I do think what Tempi is trying to do is great and have bemoaned for years that the great divide between the "potential" market for dressage ponies and what's actually out there is the lack of good training. We have always trained/started our own. Here is what I've found to be the most challenging: (1) yes, area and knowing who's where is a big problem in this country; (2) I get requests because people see me ride, see my size and know my USDF record or because someone recommends me who's seen me ride - I probably get more individuals contacting me from the CDE/ADS world though than dressage - and not for driving training but for undersaddle training. That being said I find more people [breeders] want 'young' riders as opposed to a 45 year old old bag amateur such myself to campaign their animals though they see past the wrinkles if it's just training. I would think that the database would need to give rider stats in order to find those real "matches"; (3) I'm guessing if the rider is choosing then it's a situation where the rider is doing it for free, just to have the ride or is this a situation where there will be fees involved? Again I suppose something for the stats to state perhaps. I have more bought off to the clinic I go. It's a full moon so I'm expecting a busy day before I come home to ride ;)

[tempichange]

Not sure what one has to do to get your name out there unless it is to show. It's like a vicious circle...you don't have the client base so you can't afford to do a lot yet the only way to get the client base is to get out and compete...UGH... Like exvet, I could never afford to up front costs either.

This is an excellent point. I know several breeders who have lovely bloodlines, but do not show because the primary focus (e.g. allocation of $$) is towards quality stock. The quality stock isn't being shown because the breeder has neglected their own riding education (and in reality has no time) for these ponies.

[ElimikaSportPonies]

I am so excited by this thread! I really believe there is a need for trainers to get the young ponies on the right track. I am a young professional rider specializing in dressage and more importantly in starting young ponies. I am only 5'1" and grew up around warmbloods. I realized that ponies were so much fun and more importantly, talented and competitive! I just started my training business this past summer and I am located in the mid atlantic area where the need for my services is currently growing.
I am always looking for more ponies so please contact me if I can be of help to anyone. My website is www.elimikasportponies.com. It is my passion to train ponies in dressage and combined training and in the process help the pony industry in the US grow to its full potential.

[unbridledoaks]

I usually get clients by word of mouth through shows and my current clients bring in others here. It is great. The best way I have gotten out there training has been going to shows. I have had people come up to me asking questions about training and showing their ponies and smaller horses.

I would love to have a web site (May have to put one together, PM me with ideas :) ) to have a database for people looking for pony trainers around the USA and Canada. I know that it would help alot of breeders out knowing who is out there and who can do what.

[Lesley Feakins]

I was hoping Elimikasportponies would see this thread. It is a real treat to find someone like her with the talent, size and enthusiasm to train and show the ponies. Still hoping to get Forrest Gund over to you early spring.

[NJRider]

I was hoping Elimikasportponies would see this thread. It is a real treat to find someone like her with the talent, size and enthusiasm to train and show the ponies. Still hoping to get Forrest Gund over to you early spring.

Ditto! Cory is just fabulous. She trained and competed a pony I bred and it was so exciting to see the results!

[exvet]

I think the fact that we are not organized in a group is part of the problem. The problem is that every time someone goes to start a group, no one can agree on anything about how it should be run, etc...

I agree and as you know I've walked away from a few attempts at coops at advertising, starting pony groups, etc. because the hassle isn't worth it. I've been starting and backing my own since a teenager (so a few years under my belt :winkgrin:) but did so because of finances. Now I do it not only because of finances but because I simply have too much trouble trusting anyone else to do it the way I feel it ought to be done with the exception of my riding instructor and one cowboy down the road from me; but, neither are small enough to ride ponies.

So, I know what I want if the animal is my own but what do [the real, the accepted] breeders really want and expect? Just to have them started with basics? To have them at a certain level by a certain time? To have them shown at specific shows or a specific number of times (mileage)? Is the preference to have young riders (closer to or actually junior age) to ride and show to demonstrate to the "market" that they are kid ready (My problem is that both my kids are bigger than I am)? Is showing less important than the training? And what criteria or qualifications are people looking for? show records? a certain proficiency through FEI? references from other breeders? etc. The information that a breeder uses to determine the who, what, when and where are the things that I think would be helpful to collect in a database at least to some reasonable extent.

Next question is what do breeders expect to pay if anything (and yes I realize that "it will depend") and for what? I have been accused of being unreasonable to expect compensation for (basically for the owner to cover) straight feed, vet, trimming/shoeing (if applicable) costs, and 50-50% split of show fees with the training and/or time in the saddle for free. Granted I'm not a professional trainer in the strict sense of the word and unfortunately have two breeders who I've sucked it up and ridden their animals for nothing - no compensation for any expenses I've incurred. Now, if I take ponies and horses on it's been restricted to those training challenges that others have failed with and the owner is to the point of giving them away. So I take them on as resale projects - again all the expense and risk are my own but there's no purchase price involved.

[hrfponies]

First off I have to say WOW!! I have been away at a horse show and came home and was shocked at all the interest in this post...which is great!

I agree with the idea of a database program for both breeders and trainers. It would be nice to be able to get on a website and look at jobs available.....whether it be someone who is looking for a training job or a breeder who is looking for someone to train their ponies.

So many people think ponies are only for kids, but I know several adults (included myself!) who would rather be on a pony than a horse! For some adults the size of the pony is much less intimidating. I think that the dressage pony idea has started to catch on but the hunters are stuck! Ponies=Kids! Too bad their isn't a pony class for adults! At the welsh shows they offer a class for adults both jumping/flat and western. And with the new NAPF adults can ride them until they are 3... but to be honest.....some ponies need an adult on them until they are a little older!!

[alliekat]

Elimikasportponies Wow what a beautiful rider you are. We need more just like you. I have to say I am very impressed!!!!
I find that a foundation in dressage helps no matter what discipline horses and ponies are head to.

[rideagoldenpony]

Lisa -- I have to admit that I'm shocked that someone hasn't offered you a better deal to have you take one of their young ponies! You certainly have the mileage and knowledge to give one a great start, and we know you are proven in the show ring. I'm sorry to hear that you haven't found someone willing to share their part of the cost burden on something like that -- and surprised. If I had something of appropriate age, I'd be super interested, but alas, mine are all still too young...... (not that you'd want to put up with me anyway ;) )

[BelladonnaLily]

Absolutely. We have a girl who is tiny, so she can easily ride smalls, and does an excellent job with babies. I trust her completely. It is really hard to find someone you trust AND who is small enough to ride ponies. We're lucky, but I would think there would always be a need.

[sfstable]

This has been an interesting thread. We have started changing our breeding focus to more ponies particularly because I have a "built-in" pony rider.

My 21 year old daughter who is an excellent rider is only 4'11" and does great with the ponies. She was 3rd (out of 25 riders and the only one riding a pony) in the jumpers several weeks ago at the local show -- was only the pony's second show doing jumpers. We also took the same jumper pony to the local dressage show for a "fun" day and he brought home the grand champion ribbon -- again as the only pony in the show.

We have started having quite a few people around here asking her to ride their ponies but she still want to keep her amateur status for now -- so she is sticking with just ours.

I am excited to see the positive direction to more ponies ! But I too would also like to see some adult pony classes in the hunters.

[exvet]

Thank you Gretchen. Honestly I'm not too surprised simply 'cause Arizona isn't a mecca for ponies and most breeders are quite a distance away. I would have a very tough time sending my critters any real distance where I couldn't "drop in" to check in on them. I also don't advertise/hang a shingle out. Almost all the situations that have presented themselves have been breeders or owners who have contacted me to see "would you you be interested in......?". Most if not all know I have a full-time job so they call almost stating everytime...."I know you must have your hands full.....but...." Some have been a bit more 'realistic' than others. The last one I said, "No, 'cause I needed another mouth the feed like I needed a hole in my head." She called a second time (told her she could wait another month or two and ring me again to see if my situation had changed). It had not; however, after being told that he was going to be put with a professional who I knew was going to have to have an agenda in order to make it worth her while, I succumbed, suckered up and now have him here, papers and all. Owner did not want him around anymore, had spent enough money on him and wanted a permanent solution. The only feasible thing in our situation was for me to have his papers should I decide to sell him to recoup some expenses somewhere down the road. The owner did not want to pay for anymore training only to be told that the animal was unrideable/untrainable/dangerous [again]. Shockingly [for me] I was referred by a longtime breeder who I must admit I have not seen or spoken to in at least 8 years but I guess she's been hearing about me through the grapevine such that it is. I just have been taken a bit back sometime by some of the unsolicited "deals" that have been offered to me over the years. BTW, this last welsh cob is doing absolutely great and has captured my heart.....another sign I'm not exactly a "professional" in that if he stays here for a lengthy time it won't be because I couldn't train him :winkgrin:

[Daventry]

With all of this talk about the new pony futurity....it brings me to this question. Is there a need for people to break ponies?

It's what I've made my living doing! Both hunter ponies and dressage ponies. We've had them come in from as far away as Pennsylvania for training!

[VirginiaBred]

Junior Johnson has an excellent rider to break them. Contact me for details or his phone number. He has given me permission to give it out. :)

[amdfarm]

I'm in the midwest also and there sure doesn't seem to be a lot of pony riders/trainers around here. I'm also in cow horse country, lots of stock horses. My son is in 4-H and at our county fair there were only a handful of kids showing ponies, including my son.

I think ponies are wonderful, still a kid at heart and 5'2", but even the smalls are a "stretch" for me. Our pony is 44 1/2" and starting her was a real treat though she's wonderful and a saint. She figured it out rather quickly and I could put my son on her early on to get the finer points touched on. I can't get my feet on her, they're under her and I was all over her in a balancing act. The poor girl, but like I said, a SAINT. My son is afraid to lope and it's not something I've asked her to do yet, as I have a feeling I'll topple off her and that's not fair to her.

I have her coming 3yo daughter, but finding someone to really start her has been a challange. I do think I've finally found someone though and not terribly far away, about 15 minutes. We'll see how that works out and if she's good, I will definitely send her more, but she's strictly a western trainer so show miles in english disciplines won't happen. That's what I think we need more of here.

[Kenike]

I also agree there's a need for those to break and properly train. I've seen the devastating results of the poor training :no:

I also know of a wonderful, wonderful trainer here who is small, does only ponies (including smalls), dressage and hunters, but I'd need to check with her before giving info...though she's had them come from all over the place. I can give her a ring and find out if she'd be interested, so let me know if you're interested.

[llsc]

Lauren Newmeyer is the best in the business! She's 4'10, so she can ride the smalls and you won't find a more honest or caring trainer anywhere. I send her my smalls and she does a fantastic job. She breaks and trains ponies for some of the biggest name trainers around. She does hunters, but has a very strong dressage background, so I wouldn't hesitate to send her a dressage pony for training. My small, Empire's Paris is at her place right now.

Her young daughter is a fantastic rider and can show the ponies for people too.

Here's her website.

www.hunterpony.net

[kfildes]

Without a doubt there are areas of the country that are in desperate need of good pony trainers, and I completely agree with erinwillow (http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/member.php?u=106417) about it being people who truly appreciate working with ponies.

I used to do all but the basic starting of our ponies, but a riding accident (off a 16.3 horse I might add) ended that a few years ago when I hurt my back. I just can't risk the early rides on the greens anymore. We have a number of ponies that need to be in training right now but it's simply too expensive to ship them off to the only farms in our area that offer pony training because they are very high end facilities.

I wish I could still do the basic work, but admit that after going through rehab on my back it isn't worth it to me to take the risk.

For those looking to connect with others in my situation, I have a well established newsgroup on Yahoogroups called Ponies-L with well over 2000 pony breeder, trainers and enthusiasts as members all across the country (and world as a matter of fact). I would suggest anyone who is in the market for training ponies to join and post your information. There are many deals that happen between the members of that list every day.

And of course if there is anyone interested in working with some ponies in the area of CT contact me!

[Tamara in TN]

BTW, this last welsh cob is doing absolutely great and has captured my heart.....another sign I'm not exactly a "professional" in that if he stays here for a lengthy time it won't be because I couldn't train him :winkgrin:


that is wonderful to hear.....it really really is....:)

best

[exvet]

that is wonderful to hear.....it really really is....

Yeah the more I work with him the more I find myself thinking he's a keeper; but, there's the rub....I can't keep them all. BTW the coming 3 year old is doing very well too. You should have seen the jaws drop at the schooling show I took him to. We were working him in the round pen during the break and he went into full show :D - had quite a crowd of onlookers. This welsh cob has suspension! My riding instructor stated her warning that soon I'll have to ride "that" and then I reminded her that I already had, when I backed, trained and showed Mom :winkgrin:

Hope all is good with you and yours.