PonyPros News
Join us for lessons!
July 1st, 2009Check out videos of PonyPros in action!
Paired with ponies who enhance their natural gifts, students develop partnerships that continually exceed expectations for what is possible in a horse/human relationship. In a team-based setting, students trail ride, jump, show, and practice the art of playing with horses at liberty. Click here to find out more about our lesson program!
Have a pony training question? Ask the PonyPros!
Pony Lovers - Ask your question here:
So what is a PonyPro?
- An up and coming young rider who helps bring along ponies for less experienced students. The grey pony and chestnut pony in the above photos are shown on their first trail walk after 3-4 weeks of training.
Sam shown playing with Kali a year and a half after his rescue. Click to enlarge photos.
No problem! Click here for information on our beginner lesson programs.
It's about fun and safety. The vast majority of horseback riding trainers neglect to teach students about horse psychology and communication. This makes lessons frustrating because students don't know why they're doing what they're doing, or why the horse is responding the way he is. Students who don't know how to read a horse's feedback are in danger of frightening or angering their horse.
Trainers often mistakenly presume that people coming for riding lessons naturally understand horse communication and psychology as the trainer does. They forget that students cannot immediately identify and respond appropriately to changes in their horse's behavior. Worse yet, many trainers in competitive programs deliberately misinform students about the horse's emotions. They don't want the student to become afraid, because the horse is afraid, and stop taking lessons or going to shows.
It's never too late to learn! If you're confused by what your horse is trying to tell you, or want to learn about horse behavior before starting riding lessons, join us!
PonyPros has been offering 2-4 full scholarship per year to talented riders since the beginning of our program. Receiving boots, show clothes, and free or reduced price riding lessons, these students have competed successfully in hunter/jumper and 4H shows, and been pivotal in the development of several ponies. After hearing frequently that these students were excelling in other ways, and thought of their time with the ponies as "therapy," we decided to get our official non-profit status as an equine facilitated learned program. We dubbed this program, "Human-Equine Play with Purpose" because that is exactly what it is - play - that also happens to have a purpose :) Join us Sun, Feb 7th, and Sun, Mar 7th for a fun show featuring natural horsemanship, jumping, and rail classes.
The Pony Games Book
By Kali Vanagas, assisted by Les Freeman III
Have fun while learning to ride! The Pony Games Book provides you with games to play to achieve specific horsemanship outcomes, without the monotony of rigorous instruction. Great for trainers, parents, 4-H leaders, and PonyClub instructors alike.
Do you want to learn how to ride a horse?
State of the Art Education
The PonyPros are redefining what it means to be involved in horses by providing students with a foundation in horse psychology and communication that will enable them to excel in any equestrian discipline. PonyPros is not a "riding lesson" program. We empower you by coaching you in horse psychology and communication so that you need fewer traditional lessons. Our program is great for people who keep their horses at home or are just getting involved in horses. Learning about horse behavior can help you pick the right trainer, filter your current trainer's advice, help you find reason in the criticism you received at a clinic, or help you be a self-directed learner. Understanding horse behavior gives you a better chance of being successful at home, at shows, and on the trail. We also give you the skills you need to pick a great horse if you're buying or leasing, or to be safer handling your lesson pony. We make learning how to do anything with a horse easier, faster, and more fun.
Why the Emphasis on Horse Communication and Psychology?
New!
"PonyPros" sweatshirts! $15 plus s/h. Kids' and adult sizes. Email us to order!
*Introducing "Human-Equine Play with Purpose"
