Tomáš Kudrna, původní autor tohoto webu, dne 4. června 2016 tragicky zahynul při leteckém neštěstí.
Jeho web je zachováván v původním stavu coby historický dokument a na jeho památku.

Author: (c)2001 Kai Becker, [email protected]


Czech translation:mulfonek (many thanks!), English translation: Tom

Tato stránka (text původního článku nebo překlad cizojazyčného originálu pro stránku tom-bdsm.cz) je autorským dílem a její kopírování, s výjimkou kopírování pro osobní potřebu jednotlivců, je bez předchozího písemného souhlasu autora zakázáno. Toto NENÍ svolení s kopírováním na "osobní" nebo soukromé stránky.

This page copyright (c)2002 Tom. Please feel free to link to this page, but I prefer if you link to the main page of the web.

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Two-legged Pony Dressage

Related articles concerning sulky riding, dressage (there are many more articles on ponyplayin general on my site - mostly in Czech language :-(
Kai's article pony + sulky, my article sulky - general overhaul,.whose latter (and a bit longer) half discusses the commands we use during dressage and riding, and also a brand new article cross-country sulky - making of; the instructions for building my original sulky are good read too (the article is about 3 years old and it also lists more links to other ponyplay gear I made/we use). End of my comments (tk)

Simple exercises

These exercises are intended for two-legged ponies led on reins. The driver can walk beside or behind the pony, or sit on his/her shoulders - this is up to each couple to decide. I have not seen these exercises with four-legged ponies and I would be glad for a comment by those who indulge in them.

You can exercise a single two-legged pony in many ways exactly the same as a four legged horse. The same commands can be used during dressage and during sulky riding.

Walk, high step, trot and stopping

The pony walks slowly forward. Chirrups and reins commands are used - depending on eachcouple. The pony walks forward unless stopped.

The walk looks nicer when the pony lifts the hooves in a half-circle or parabola. I.e. the bottom side of the hoof is put into vertical position and thus lifted off the ground. It is put back in the same position, similarly to what you do when you walk upstairs. It is best to put your weight onto the front hoove, and to trod lightly.

The driver can speed up the pony by chirrups or by loosening the reins. .

Walk in circle

The driver pulls the reins slightly to one side - the pony has to turn. The steady pull of the reins is loosened on the other side, or one rein is pulled more heavily if the initial command is not effective.

The pony turns a little with each step while the pull on one side lasts. When both reins are pulled with the same strenght, the pony starts to walk straight forward. Sometimes the pull is stronger, which means the turn should be tighter.

But beware! The driver frequently uses too much force. Most ponies can react to a light pull. It is not necessary to pull or tug heavily - this only confuses the pony.

Walking backward

The driver stands still and pulls both reins continuously. As soon as the pony lifts one hoof and makes a half-step back, the driver loosens the reins. the pony is expected to assume the correct position. This can be repeated as many times as necessary. Under constant pull, the pony isexpected to walk slowly and steadily back.

The driver can pull one rein stronger that the other. The pony is then expected to turn when walking backwards.

With four-legged horses, walking back is frequently used to return the horse's attention to the driver. It is because the walking back is more complicated and more dangerous for the horse, which really cannot look backwards.

Dressage training

This course was a part of the race day during Pet Week 2001. Permitted gear for the driver and the pony: a sulky, a bridle, a bit with reins and a riding crop. No voice commands were permitted, except for driving off – hyjeeeee (tsk, tsk). The pony must not cross the borders of a marked area. The driver can walk behind or beside the pony, and cross the borders of a marked area.

The course includes the following exercises

0) Start. The driver leads the pony to the start line..

1) Basic position. The pony faces the center of the marked area. This part is not assessed by the judges. The assessment starts after the pony walks off towards the center of the marked area. The pony must walk..

2) Stopping. The pony must stop. The hooves are abreast. The pony then continues the exercise..
Assessment: the pony does not stop - 0 points, the hooves are not abreast - 1; the hooves are abreast - 2.

3) Turning in the corners. All four corners must be curved as close as possible.
Assessment: each nicely curved corner - 1 point.

4) Tracking a circle. The circle must be as round and even as possible
Assessment: no circle - 0; approximate circle - 1; exact circle - 2.

5) Tight turn and speeding up (canter). The pony speeds up and passes along the diagonal of the marked area as precisely as possible
Assessment: correct turn - 1; straight and precise diagonal - 1;
controlled speed - 2

6) Common speed and tight turn: the pony must slow down and turn correctly.
Assessment: nicely curved corner - 1 point.

7) Walking backwards. the pony is stopped and must perform three back steps according tocommands given by the reins.
Assessment: stopping - 1; back-walk - 1; 3 controlled steps back - 1.

8) Figure-eight: precise circles are valued. The figure-eight must be performed in the upper right quarter of the marked area.
Assessment: nicely performed figure-eight - 4 points.

9) Finish. After another corner (1 point), the course is over and the pony stops in the center of the marked area. The driver turns to face the judges.
Assessment: no stopping - 0; the hooves are not abreast - 1; the hooves are abreast - 2.

In the end, up to five additional points can be awarded for the driver/pony accord, pony's behaviour and body position. Extra high steps, gradual changes between the figures and thespontaneity of the pony's reactions will be scored.
Maximum score is therefore 21 + 5 = 26 points.

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