Ponying
Also called: pony horse
Ponying is leading a racehorse alongside a calm, experienced 'pony' horse and rider — to warm up before a race, to settle a nervous young horse, or to control a horse during exercise.
The pony horse is a steadying influence: it gives a green or fractious thoroughbred something familiar to lean on. Most racehorses are ponied to the starting gate before a race, and young horses are often ponied during their first gallops.
Examples
- arrow_rightThe two-year-old was ponied for his first few works until he relaxed under tack.
- arrow_rightAlmost every runner is ponied to the gate so it arrives calm and on time.