Zoey

Owns Evans Warwick, aka Wallie, Sir Wallace, Wallikins, Love-a-saurus

Training Wallie from the ground up

My name is Zoey and I am nine years old. My pony, Wallie, is four years old. We have been working together for one year. When I got him, Wallie had never been ridden. Now we can canter, jump, and trail ride, and I can stand on his back. Wallie is 11'2h. He is a small Section B Welsh pony.

When I arrive at the barn, I halter my pony, walk to the barn, and groom him. Sometimes I put a saddle or bareback pad on him, sometimes not. Then, we walk to the arena. I have two warm up routines: PonyPros' Travel Together, Particular Pressure, and Laterals, or the Parelli 7 games for days when Wallie needs a longer warm up. After warming up, I hop on Wallie and walk or trot around the arena.

After I ride for about thirty minutes or an hour, I get off and give him love. Sometimes we stop part way through to give his back a rest and play with the beanbag or ball. Sometimes I untack in the arena, hang the bareback pad or saddle on the fence (if I am riding with tack, that is), and play at liberty for awhile. Then, I give Wallie his supplement and we walk back to Wallie's pasture. I remove his halter and hang it on the gate. He returns to his pen to play with his pony friends. I clean up the arena and head home.

Working with horses is really cool and I know that I am very lucky to be doing what I do. What I like about working with horses is that you can learn from your mistakes and from your horse. Also, Wallie teaches me to be patient when he is learning a new trick.

When I am working with Wallie, I am thinking a lot about how he feels, whether we are on the ground or not. Other times, when we are riding, I am thinking about where I want to go.

When I see Wallie, I feel happy. Wallie is funny and he makes me laugh. I feel understood when I am with Wallie. For example, with when I am sad, he slows down and is more cooperative.

I would like to thank Kali and Les, my teachers, because they have taught me natural horsemanship and clicker training, and how to work with my pony.

Thanks for reading,
Zoey

Videos:
2010 Zoey and Wallie Learn to Jump
2009 Playing Chase the Tiger with Wallie
2009 Teaching Wallie to Front Crunch & Back Crunch
2009 Lunging & Stick Together with Wallie
2009 Jogging with Sam
2009 Innovate with Wallie
2009 Introducing Wallie to a Tarp
2008 Teaching Sam to Cheerlead
2008 Targeting with Nina