[HappyHippy]

Hi folks 

So, little Polly Pocket (very nervous 12 year old Shetland pony mare) has settled in relatively undisturbed and now I'm aware I need to 'do stuff' with her 
I've been reading up, but I know you guys will give me tried and tested advice - really don't want to get anything wrong with this wee lass.

Up to this point the closest I've gotten is stroking her neck while she ate a chopped apple from a trug at my feet, she backs off the rest of the time (though not as much as when she first arrived)
Now, this little pony was tacked up and led round an arena with an experienced 6 year old on her back before she came here - so I know in the right hands (experienced ones) she's fairly easy to handle.......

How do I approach this ?

I've tried the sitting there and doing nothing, giving her space and trying not to be seen as a threat while talking softly - but had hoped to see more progress than I have (or maybe I've not tried the food bribe often enough  ) .
I wonder if I'm maybe not being assertive enough  I don't want to scare her but I would like to get a head collar on her, brush her and pick out her hooves (her feet are good - no shoes, done by the farrier before she arrived and she's been in the shed on concrete with no signs of anything untoward - but I reckon I should be doing the hoof picking thing pretty regularly - is that right ?)
So, do I up the ante with a trug of treats, slip a head collar on her gently and tie her to something while I brush her and she eats - or would this terrify the life out of her and set us back do you think ?

All hints and tips greatfully received 

[Rosemary]

RTFM 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Its hard to tell if the headcollar thing will be a non event and fine or really set you back. If it were me..........You could try the glove on a stick method, (put some foam on the end of the stick and cover with a glove so it is like a hand. You can then start to touch and stroke all over the pony while remaining out of dangers way, and the idea is to keep the gloves touch on them until they realise it wont eat them and relax, and then remove it straight away you get the positive response. Its what they use for wild ponies quite a lot and does help make it safer for you to get them used to being touched all over (especially the legs) without being scared.
Also when you sit in there, make sure you are facing nearly away from the pony and just occasionally glance at her with lowered eyes, so she knows you arent a challenge. If she starts to chew her lips and lick them, you can move a little closer.
I would try these things (and maybe look at one of Kelly Marks DVDs on this type of scenario) before going in with the all or nothing headcollar approach if you are at all concerned.

[Rosemary]

I'd recommend ditching the traditional headcollar and short lead rope and get a "horseman's halter" and a heavy line about 12ft long. This allows you to keep a contact with the pony, while allowing it to move its feet (which a lot of ponies do if they are a bit stressed) - it also allows you to move the pony away from you to a safe distance, if it gets upset. If a pony DOES get upset, the last thing to do is try and hang on to its head - that's you being a predator AND its dangerous.

Remember, however good your intentions, you are a predator and the pony is potentially your dinner. The first thing you need to do is convince the pony that you are not going to eat it  by not behaving like a predator. Predators are sneaky, they grip tight, they stare at their prey - so staring at your pony as you sneak up to it with the headcollar hidden behind your back, slapping it on and holding tight isn't a good basis for a relationship. Generally, we can coerce ponies into doing what we want because as herd animals, they are naturally co-operative but coercion doesn't make for a good relationship.

Ponies put up with an awful lot and it's easy to think they're OK, but I think natives in particular are quite stoical but there's always a straw. Everything your pony does once it is aware of your presence is feedback, so it's good to learn how to recognise the feedback.

The two books will help and I'll have a look and see if I have any suitable DVDs 

[SallyintNorth]

Karen, I know you'll be taking this steady and not pushing her - so one thing I thought it worth saying to you is that, once you have decided what you want to try with her, be very decided and confident with it.  She's getting to know you so will draw strength from your confident demeanour - and any hesitation or lack of confidence in approaching any equine will make the best of 'em wary.

And the other thing is to use 'pressure and release' in all your dealings with her.  If she accepts a pat or a stroke, immediately stop stroking her.  Then stroke her again.  Repeat repeat repeat.  She will build her confidence quickly that stroking is ok and you will be able to stroke her for longer each time.  Once you get a headcollar on her, as soon as she yields (which may be stops pulling back or may be coming towards you), release the pressure.   Then apply the pressure again, gently but firmly, and as soon as she yields, even a little bit, release the pressure again.  She will quickly learn that yielding to pressure is a good thing to do, and not fear it as it does not lead to anything bad.

Repetition, and small steps.

[Mel Rice]

If she has done it all before that is a great help she is not starting from scratchYOU are.
I agre with Sally you need to be confident with her she may be only picking up your inexperience. Have you got a horsy friend near by that can do the approach bit with confidence then hand over to you?

[HappyHippy]

Karen, I know you'll be taking this steady and not pushing her - so one thing I thought it worth saying to you is that, once you have decided what you want to try with her, be very decided and confident with it.  She's getting to know you so will draw strength from your confident demeanour - and any hesitation or lack of confidence in approaching any equine will make the best of 'em wary.

Yes, that's what I meant when I said maybe I wasn't being assertive enough, I think I need to step up to 'leader' in her eyes because at the moment I'm probably more like a lower ranking herd member (see, I've been reading the books  ) but didn't want to balls it up and become a threat instead 

Will enlist the help of my friend and watch how an experienced handler does it I think, before having a try myself.
Thanks for all the tips though - I'm off to fashion a long arm and form a plan 

[jinglejoys]

With Rosemary on this one.just try going into the stall and reading a book without looking at her at all and see what reaction you get that may give you some hint.My first mule was "ride and drive Missus but whatever you do don't get on her back " I see a lot like that,Just because it has had a rider and lead round doesn't mean it accepts its rider.Can you give us more detail on your first visit to see it was it loose in the field,bought in and tacked up in front of you.My first (and last)pony was bought as a novice ride,I learnt later that it had been bought from the sales three weeks earlier and its "training" had been being led up and down the road with a rider and a sack over its head  

[smiley bucket]

It will be much easier once you have seen someone else do it, don't be too shy working with her, being too quiet and dare i say gentle, may make her jumpy.  Try giving her a good scratch on her withers, between her front legs, or if its safe abover her tail.  And keep the titbits tiny, feeding a shetland is not loving it, though she will tell you differently!  Good luck. 

[ppd]

Hi Karen
I have a pony, a welsh section A who is a jumpy and grumpy sod in the field but once caught and tacked up is an absolute darling!
When I go to catch him (which he hates) I have a treat and NEVER hide the headcollar, I let him see the treat and walk a wee bit towards him, then stop when he shows interst and turn 1/2 to 3/4 away from him and let him come to me. I always think that facing a nervous horse can be seen as a threat to them. He will approach me and then I can stroke him and show him the headcollar - at which point he sometimes buggars off again lol! But we get there in the end - he is 17 and has never been easy to catch and will never be like the other ponies, who come up for strokes in the field, but we seem to have reached an understanding!
There has been lots of great advice on here and you will get there with your new pony.
Also mini shetlands will lead you a merry dance, if they can, and as others have said maybe she is picking up on your inexperience and is testing you?
mmmmmm Maybe my pony is doing it to me too and it is a great game that I have fallen for
Pauline