Hi Nicola. The most correct & least helpful answer is the correct way to do anything is the way that works for the horse you are dealing with. If your pony has been trained to stand & tie up then there is no issue - you'll find videos on tying up on the Uni. The usual sequence is groom, pick feet, bridle, saddle, lift front feet ( to ensure girth is not nipping ), mount & back up one or two steps & then go have fun. If your pony stands quietly to be groomed & have the feet cleaned then there is no need to tie up. If your pony circles the stable & you're chasing him all over the place then he needs dually halter training to stand still & you need join up to gain mutual respect. Then you follow the tying up videos & then your pony will be easy to work with, whether loose or tied. I see you do not have Uni rosettes yet. You get these by watching the lessons & completing the short, multiple choice challenge after each one. It's great fun - I've done them all, some of them I've watched the videos loads of times. I'm guessing you'll be a lot younger than I am but that just means your mind is more agile than mine so you'll find it easier. Cheers, Jo

Thanks Jo, that's really helpful. My pony is quite new to me and seems totally fine tied up and I usually tack up in the stable in the order you suggested except I've been doing bridle last as I have him in a head collar and pop the bridle on when I'm happy with everything else and just about to lead him out. Thank you, that makes me feel a bit better as I find the western saddle heavy so easier to put on when he is tied up. He doesn't circle the stable bit I just feel happier when he is tied before I've done the girth up. I am new to the University but I will do the tests for sure! Thanks again. Nicola

Hi. Well you're having an exciting time, new pony & the chance to follow Monty's road maps. The best advice I can give is keep calm & an open mind. Remember that your pony will follow your example: if you get excited or worried that will transfer to your pony. If you try to do something & it doesn't work then stop & give yourself a little time, about ten minutes, to collect your thoughts & have a rethink. Let me give you an example. Kelly Marks, Monty's UK representative, has a pony called Pie & he is really good at loading into the lorry. One day Pie just planted his feet & refused to go in. Now most people would have at least tried to move Pie into that lorry but Kelly immediately stopped trying to load him & started to check out the reason for Pie's unusual behaviour. She found the exhaust fumes were leaking into the lorry container where Pie would have been travelling. Horses always have a reason for what they do. Have lots of fun. Cheers, Jo.

Hi Jo & Nicola. I'm enjoying reading the various comments and other members' replies. My horses are always very good about loading onto their horse float - but that's a really interesting observation you make, Jo, about Kelly Marks' horse Pie not wanting to load. If, one day, a horse of mine refuses to load I will try hard not to think "naughty horse" (!) and look instead a what might be wrong with the float or towing gear first - the horse's instincts are certainly keener than mine! Regards Cherie

Great advice from Jo Nicola, have fun :-) Yes Cherie, always listen to our horses, they are trying to tell us something.

Great advice from Jo,, Nicola. If your pony is fine tied up then no reason to change. If you are concerned about her pulling back then loo the lead rope through a hay bale twine loop rather than tie her and she should stand for you. We do need to be flexible as all horses are different. If you are tying her up then it is best to leave the halter on and put the bridle on last as you have been. If they do pull back at all with a bridle on they may hurt their teeth hence best to put it on last as you are. Have fun!