Got a pony problem? Write to or email Team PONY and we’ll answer as many as we can on these pages

Put your foot in it

My instructor always says to run up my pony’s stirrups. What does this mean?

Running up your stirrups is what you do to put your stirrups away. It’s important for your safety – plus, it makes taking the saddle off easier – so it should become a habit as soon as you dismount from your pony. Leaving your stirrups down and walking out of the arena can be really dangerous because it’s easy for the stirrups to get caught on things, such as gate hooks, stable doors or hanging rugs. This could frighten your pony, causing him to panic.

To run up a stirrup, hold it in one hand and the leather in the other.

Then, push the stirrup up the part of leather that’s closest to your saddle. Keep pushing until it’s all the way up to the top. Now, thread your stirrup leather through the stirrup and pull it down. Make sure the end of the leather is tucked into its keeper on your saddle flap, too.

Hold tight

What is bridging your reins and why do people do it?

Bridging your reins is when you hold both of your reins in both hands, by crossing them over your pony’s neck. There are several reasons why you might bridge your reins while riding...