PONY magazine – January 2018

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January 2018 £3.65 Issue 833

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Spook-bust your

jumping

Fly fillers every time with our spook-busting guide

F

illers are often used in showjumping and they can come in all shapes, sizes and colours.

While they make fences more fun and brightly coloured, some ponies find them spooky to look at. This can cause refusals, runouts or knocked poles – none of which are ideal if you’re after a rosette!

Often, it’s the rider’s reaction to the filler that causes the problem. Look up and focus on keeping an active canter with an accurate approach, and you’ll find it much easier to clear those scarier fences without a problem.

Get active

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Include exercises su ny to e encourage your po l transitions – thes nter ca to t u. As well as tro stay focused on yo canter d an er nt ca try walk to and canter to trot, and on t your pony’s impulsi to walk. It’ll really tes responsiveness. ride – this orten his canter st l lengthen and sh on down him sh Pu er. table cant gives you an adjus

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PONY magazine

him up e arena and collect the long sides of th intain ma es. Remember to along the short sid – his n he gt len ask him to impulsion when you shouldn’t he t bu d un r more gro strides should cove just get faster. poles tting up four canter l canter poles – se er’s nt ca his if l lets you tel along the long side y to wa od go a is d mical, an balanced and rhyth rt jumping. focus before you sta

Warm it up Before you get started with fillers, warm up over more inviting fences. Cross-poles are great to help you aim for the middle of the fence and ride an accurate approach.

Top tip

While you’re warming up, circle around the fences and ride past plenty of fillers. This lets you both look at them so you’ll feel more confident when it comes to jumping.

Improve your approach It’s important to ride a good approach to a fence, especially if there’s a spooky filler hiding underneath. Approaching on a wonky line makes it much easier for your pony to run out, but ride a balanced turn and straight approach and you’re more likely to meet the fence well.

Remember to combine an accurate approach with the same bouncy, active canter you practised while warming up – this will give your pony the energy to clear the fence easily.

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PONY magazine

7

In

Open

Order

Here’s everything you need to know about riding in open order

I

n a group riding lesson, you either ride together as a ride – one behind the other, following a lead file (lead rider) – or in open order, which means you’re riding independently from everyone else.

Within reason, you can choose where you ride and what pace to be in. If everyone knows what to do in open order, it’s a great way to get your pony working independently and get the most out of your lesson.

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PONY magazine

Faster paces take priority on the outside track. This is a glitch in the left-to-left rule – if you’re cantering towards another rider who's trotting, they should move onto the inside track to allow you past, even if it means passing right-to-right. This is the same whether you’re riding on the same rein or not.

Avoid cutting up other riders up (riding across their path in front of them) because you might cause a crash. Plan the line you’re going to ride and try to keep away from everyone else in your group.

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Top tip

Leave plenty of space between you an d the pony you’re pass ing.

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PONY magazine

15

BE CONSIDERATE HAVE A PAMPER SESSION

Ponies love to groom each other in their fields, so giving him a grooming session is a really relaxing and fab way to encourage him to trust you as you groom more vulnerable parts of his body, such as his legs and belly.

Go the extra mile by finding out where his favourite itchy spots are and giving him a scratch.

As he starts to trust you more, he might try to groom you back with his lips!

Just like people, all ponies are different. While some love a cuddle sesh, others don’t like handson attention quite so much. Watch your pony when you’re trying to make a fuss of him – if his muscles look tense or he’s pulling faces, he’s probably not very happy and it’s best to take a step back.

Your fave pony will start to trust you more when you begin to respect his likes and dislikes – so, although you might not be able to bond by giving him a cuddle, you can still connect with him in different ways. Why not take him out for a hand graze? He’ll especially appreciate it if he has to be stabled more over the winter months.

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PONY magazine

25

MAKE THE MOST OF HACKING

ROUTINE IS KEY Ponies like to have a routine – they know when breakfast time is and don’t want to wait around for it! Gain your pony’s trust by sticking to a timetable when it comes to mealtimes and management.

He’ll feel more relaxed knowing when he’s going to get fed or turned out and is less likely to become stressed. He’ll soon learn if it’s always you who looks after him, too, and might even start to whinny when he sees you approaching!

Hacking is a fab way to build your bond with your fave pony. It’s a time for you to get to know each other, as well as helping him to learn to trust you when you ask him to go past things he might find spooky. It gives you both the chance to chill out and relax – and there’s nothing better than having a natter with your pony on a long hack!

PRAISE HIM Riding is meant to be fun for both of you, so keep it interesting. Mix up your sessions with flatwork, jumping and hacking. If you do the same thing every time, he’ll become bored and won’t try his best.

Keep his riding schedule interesting to prevent him from becoming stale, and he’ll know that he’s about to do something fun and different every time you tack him up.

KEEP HIM INTERESTED

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PONY magazine

Let your pony know when he’s done something well, whether you’re in the saddle or on the ground. He won’t know you’re pleased with him unless you tell him, so talking to him or giving him a pat or a wither scratch is super-important for reinforcing the good behaviour he’s shown.

He’ll also start to trust you more when it comes to asking him to try new things – he’ll be more willing to listen to you when he knows that he’ll be praised when he’s done it right.

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