Hey, I've been starting a three-year old paint gelding. I've been working with him for about a month now. When we first started working with him he was terrified of everything from the currycomb to fly spray. His name is Els and he's a sorrel and white paint (i forgot the difference between overo and tobiano) with one blue eye and one brown eye. Idk how tall. He's a pony. No mounting block required.
So through ground work etc. I can now mount and ride him with no problems. He goes on the trails and does well at a walk. He doesn't need to be able to do anything other than that but we do pony rides and I know that kids will spook him. How do I begin to get him accustomed to kids without totally freaking him out?
I've had one of the grandkids ride him and they did okay, they were a little scared though. He needs to be able to be on a pony sweep and get ridden all day by kids of various ages.
Suggestions?