Penny Hollings equestrian

10/07/2026

I was talking to a lady recently who had just bought a lead rein pony. The previous owner had told her to strap the pony's head in with side reins in the stable for at least 20 minutes each day. She also advised keeping a tight flash noseband on until the last minute as the pony kept messing with the bit. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE, THIS IS CRUEL!!! I have been helping the lady for the last two weeks, lunging the pony in a lo , encouraging stretch over the topline and enabling the animal to engage their core and balance. From a stressed out , anxious and angry pony we now have a relaxed and happy individual. I changed the bit and obviously got rid of the flash. The pony is perfectly settled in their mouth.
I do understand that there is widespread belief that this way of training is required for lead reins. IT IS NOT. It causes pain and stress and there are much better ways of working ponies. If ponies aren't settled in their mouths, it's usually an indication of discomfort elsewhere .
There is also discussion surrounding the use of LR riders using knots in the reins and holding a handle as it can produce a fixed outline. In fairness, working with many younger riders ( and some older) they can't be expected to maintain an even rein length and holding a handle helps with balance. For me the issue isn't the equipment, it's the misuse. I like ponies to take the contact forward and not sit behind with a tight neck and back. As always I'm more than happy to help by pm . Let's make life better for our ponies 🐴❤️

19/06/2026

We're in one of the busiest times of the showing calendar and HOYS qualifiers mean marks and therefore it's crucial that exhibitors understand how to improve their score especially in the in hand phase. This is not just conformation and type but movement is also taken into consideration.
Practice the stand but also find the right rhythm to walk and trot, keeping the pony balanced and fluent just as you would under saddle.
In lead rein classes there is often a lack of freedom in the shoulders , back and hind quarters due to tightness in the topline. Ponies who've been worked in tight side reins tend to plait in walk and hitch as they pick up trot. This topline tension then results in a stilted, unconnected movement from the hindquarters. As well as looking awful it's really uncomfortable for the pony.
Horses can't balance with a tight neck. Its fairly easy with the right groundwork to improve the pony's balance and have a steady, rhymical and soft way of going.

25/03/2026

These are the two bits I use every day. The Hilary Vernon symmetry snaffle and the Comfy Barrel. As time has gone on I've moved away from loose ring and traditional jointed bits as I find that horses understand these two much better. I've never used a hanging cheek - I've tried them but find the horse either sits behind them or overbends. I'm not a fan of poll pressure as it usually results in tightness both in the poll and lower back. Just my observations based on my own experience 🐴

24/03/2026

Horse world, have a look at yourself!
There's a lot of discussion about what tack is allowed and people have very rightly pointed out that the tack itself isn't the problem, more in who's hands it's in.
Unfortunately the use of pressure and force has become so normalised that it's accepted. Yes I know it's said that a snaffle in the wrong hands is worse than a curb in good hands but why are there so many bits/ nosebands etc.
This week alone I've lost track of how many " just backed" 4yos ( well probably still 3yos) going with their heads pinned in.
I've worked full time ( nearly every day) with horses for the last 40 years, I've been sent horses with what I considered unnecessarily harsh bridle arrangements and through careful consideration, replaced with tack which the horse and rider are comfortable in. One poor animal was sent with a twisted snaffle because she was "strong" ,which had cut her tongue, all because the rider wasn't educated enough to realise that the animal was simply unbalanced and anxious and therefore locked against her.
It's not just showing,it's everywhere from not so happy hackers right up to national and international competition. Who actually thinks that racing 2yos is ethical? Every single aspect of the horse world has to address serious welfare issues before we lose social licence.
There is absolutely no need for anything more complicated than a snaffle ( with no twiddly or twisted bits) and a cavesson , well in my experience that is!

10/03/2026

I've been thinking about this for a while now and really think that societies should be steering members away from curbs, twisted mouthpieces, crank nosebands , spurs etc and encouraging the use of a loose fitting cavesson and horse friendly snaffles.
Surely nowadays we are more educated as riders and have realised that poll pressure and force have no place in our communication. I work with many different types of horse and pony and by using productive groundwork and improving rider balance and communication the animals work well in self carriage without force. In fact my clients realise that less is most definitely more.

03/03/2026

I see some scary comments on Facebook regarding so called training. I believe a lot of methods are completely inhumane and unethical.
I have a client with a cob mare who when I first met her wasn't very forward . I noticed that she was very crooked , not just naturally curling one way as is normal, but twisting in different directions. With help from physio Kathy Boyer , a new Chunky Monkey Saddles , teeth maintained by James Roxburgh and a lot of groundwork and lessons with me she now works straight, forward and relaxed.
Before my involvement, her rider had been told to bend the mare's neck to the inside to get her round. Terrifying I know! This resulted in her feeling blocked and unbalanced and hollow over her back. Consequently she couldn't go forward and at this point was labelled lazy and the wearing of spurs advised.
If your horse isn't going as you would wish, ask yourself why? Do they understand you? Are they physically able to do it? Are you being accurate and balanced? Most people are unaware of their inaccuracies and instead only see the consequences and blame the horse.
They can only act on information received so it's our duty to do our absolute best without resorting to complicated bits, nosebands etc

25/01/2026

I had an idea a while ago for a hand held lick which would fit in a pocket and keep a pony/horse occupied whilst standing in the ring. Equibalancer.com now have these available

Equibalancer is a complete formula; it balances the vitamin and mineral intake to a natural level, supplying the horse with a daily allowance at the correct level to maintain health, alongside the vitamins and minerals it also contains a gut balancer.

11/01/2026

Ever wondered how much your eyes affect your direction? This photo shows the difference between when I concentrated on looking exactly where I wanted to go and when I didn't. Just think how that affects your horse 🐴

21/11/2025

Please let me know if you'd like some more online q and a sessions and what topics 🐴