I can’t believe it… but we went back on the blog and looked… remember our little pony, Jackpot?

Well, he’s three years old now! Yeah. Three!
We’ve brushed him and picked up his feet and leaned on him and rubbed his ears, but there’s a need for more training. The question is… how do you train a miniature horse/pony? An adult can’t get on…
Well, they all need “ground work”. So that’s where we’re starting.

Showing him that strange objects aren’t going to eat him.

That strange things on the ground aren’t really that scary.

That these first steps will finally pay off for his future…

We mostly have draft horse so they all get started driving. We enjoy starting a horse this way so much we now drive all our horses staring at about 1 year old. The young ones are good for pulling kids around in the snow. By they time there ready to ride they know the drill. Have fun!
Yes, and I remember them using long reins on some other horses, but I’m not sure where they are. Maybe I should look in the top of the barn.
I have wondered about him too. Looks like the training is going good. He’s practically asleep in that last photo, unless you just happened to catch a blink.
He was pretty relaxed…
he almost has appaloosa markings. What do people do with miniature horses? House pets? Wagon pulling?
Yes. Yes. All sorts of things with miniature horse/ponies… he’s big enough to ride or pull. We’ll see.
Looks like you are doing all the “right” things to make him a good solid pony for the kids. Keep at it!
I was wondering if you kept him. I can’t believe it is 3 years ago already wow!
He is so cute ! good job cowgirls