HOW TO PONY-UP YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS
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August 2016 £3.99 Issue 815
Hacking problems:
There’s nothing better than going out on a long summer hack with your friends, but it can be worrying if your pony misbehaves. We problem-bust some common issues
Nerves?
can feel like a scary Riding in open spaces u’re used to riding in yo if experience, especially your difficultly controlling an arena or you have at wh on up k t ponies pic pony. Remember tha d an se ten g lin fee e you’r you’re thinking, so if will be, too! nervous, it’s likely he sure you’re happy ke ma t, ou Before you hack e taking hacking in the riding the pony you’r an u can control him in arena. If you know yo n’t out ca u yo n so rea no enclosed space, there’s in the open! ing, build us when you’re hack rvo ne If you get s with a ck ha ort sh ing on up slowly. Start by go y d areas, such as wood friend in more enclose s ck ha r ge ilding up to lon bridleways, before bu . es in more open spac
You'll be confident before yo
Top tips 6
PONY magazine
Go hacking with a more confident friend - if they’re relaxed, it’ll help you feel calmer as well. Plus, if you have someone to chat with, you’ll be worrying less!
u know it!
Try to follow a path that loops round in a circular route, rather than turning round and going back on yourself. If your pony knows he’s heading for home, he might get more excitable!
Think positive and smile! This will help you to relax, which will keep your pony calm as well.
If you can control your pony in an enclosed space, there's no reason you can't out in the open! If you’re nervous, try setting small goals you can achieve each ride - for example, trotting a little bit longer than usual or riding in front of the other ponies. Once you’ve realised you can achieve your goals, anything is possible!
Make sure you’re wearing the correct safety gear, including a riding hat, body protector and high-vis. Putting a neck strap on your pony will give you extra reassurance, too.
Practise your schooling out hacking. As well as improving how your pony goes, it'll keep him listening to you and allow you to stay in control. ➤
PONY magazine
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Shout Out! Ace pony This is me and my amazing pony, Ace of Spades. We’re a brilliant partnership and like to do everything. I love him so much and wouldn’t swap him for the world.
MY PONY CLUB
48
Best buddies This is me and my best friend, Halley, on our ponies. I’m on the grey, Biscuit, who’s the best pony ever and Halley is on George, who’s also amazing!
Lauren
Olivia O’Brien
I’ve been a Pony Club member for two years. Pony Club has taught me so much and helped me make new friends, as well as improving my riding skills. When I started I wasn’t confident and sometimes felt scared to ride. I was invited straightaway to train for my D test and within three months I’d passed! I love my Pony Club centre as I get to ride each week in small groups and the instructors are really talented. I suffer with arthritis and other medical conditions that affect my riding, but everyone is so supportive and understanding. Last year, I volunteered at the Pony Club Championships, which was amazing. Without the Pony Club I wouldn’t have had these experiences.
Katie
BFF’s!!
Super Scooby This is my loan pony, Scooby. He’s so cute and I love him so much. We both learn new things from each other when I ride him.
Zara Bennett PONY magazine
Reader’s email
Twinkle is...
My riding stables is called Ampfield Riding Stables. It’s by far the best riding school. The ponies are very well-behaved and the riding instructors are great! I’d definitely recommend going there!
Chelsey
Delightful Dooley
Amazing Jack
ARIAT Awesoe mmonthe pony of th
This is my pony, Dooley. I love him so much and he’s taught me lots about driving. He also helps the British Horse Society by teaching people how to drive. He’s amazing and he puts his heart into everything he does. He’s made my life so much happier.
This is my pony, Jack. This picture was taken just after we won a competition. I love him so much and he makes me very proud.
Lucy Cole
Sally-Ann Bulow
Magic Minstrel Minstrel isn’t my pony, but she’s my favourite pony from my local riding stables. I only recently started riding her, but she’s really helped me to regain my confidence. She’s also an amazing jumper. I really hope I can keep riding her for a long time.
Charlotte Durant
Clever Cloudy This is my jumping pony, Cloudy. We compete most weekends and always come back with a rosette. I don’t know what I would do without her.
Bryony Camwell
SUPER-CUTE PETS Mist owned by Collette
Scruff owned by Summer
Maggie ned ow by Olivia
My best friend is a special Connemara pony called Twinkle. When I see her, I can’t stop smiling. Twinkle and I go showing in young handler’s classes, and we’ve won many rosettes and cups together. She’s friends with everyone she meets, pony or person. I love giving her hugs and she hugs me back with her head. She really is the best pony and my best friend.
Camilla Coyne
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PONY and we’ll Got a pony problem? Write to or email team answer as many as we can on these pages
Q
I’ve started competing in showjumping with my pony and we’re enjoying it, but he gets a bit freaked out if the showground is very loud. Is there anything I can do?
It sounds like your pony just needs to get used to the noise of the showground. You can practise getting him used to it by playing music while you ride, and ask a couple of your friends to stand by the arena and clap their hands. If your pony gets used to this at home, it won’t be new to him when you get to a show, so he’ll be more likely to relax. If your pony’s listening to your aids, he’ll be less distracted, so make sure you give him something to think about. Trot or canter as soon as you can when warming up and in the ring to get his concentration. Your pony will gain confidence from your legs, so push on and keep your legs wrapped around him. In showjumping, you can use your voice, so if he’s nervous, talk to him to reassure him and keep him calm. Remember to think positive. If you’re thinking about the noise and what’s going on around you, your pony will too, so try to concentrate on what you’re doing instead.
A
BHS qualified instructor Lorraine Jennings answers
My pony is a good-doer and is prone to getting fat during the summer. My friend said I shouldn’t feed him at all and he should only have a small bit of grass, but I’m worried that not giving him any feed is bad for his health. Help!
We cannot reply personally to problems. All photos are posed by models
Q
Ponies who live out all summer can spend all day and night scoffing grass which can put their health at risk by causing them to get fat. If your pony is prone to putting on weight easily, there are ways you can restrict his grazing to make sure he doesn’t. You could section off his paddock with electric fencing so he only has access to a small section of grass at a time, or bring him into his stable for part of the day or at night so he’s not grazing 24 hours a day. Fitting him with a grazing muzzle when he’s turned out will slow his grazing down by reducing the amount he’s able to eat. During the summer, your pony will get nutrients from the grass, so it’s okay not to give him hard feed. However, you should make sure he gets the vitamins and minerals he needs to stay healthy. This could come from feeding him the recommended amount of a feed balancer or giving him access to a vitamin and mineral lick.
A
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PONY magazine
My pony and my mum’s horse always fight over the hay we put in the field for them. How can we stop them fighting?
Q
Ponies can often become very possessive over their food, especially if they think their friends might pinch it! When you’re putting hay in the field, separate it into more piles than there are ponies – so for your pony and your mum’s horse, put out at least four piles. This way they can’t guard all of the hay at once. Make sure to leave lots of space between each pile so that they can’t kick each other. They will soon relax when they realise their hay pile is safe!
A
I love hacking out, but I only know a few routes and there aren’t many places to canter. Recently, when we get to a place where we usually canter, my pony has started trying to take off! How can I stop her?
Q
Your pony needs to learn that it’s not okay to anticipate your aids and try to run off. However, if you only ever canter in the same place, your pony will assume that you’ll always canter there! Try hacking out with a friend on a sensible pony and walk calmly through your cantering spot. If your pony gets excited, turn her in a circle at walk until she starts listening to you again. Sit tall and give clear aids so that she knows exactly what you want. Make sure to vary your hacks so that your pony doesn’t take control. If you organise hacks with friends, you can all share your favourite hacking routes – the variety will be good for your pony and fun for you! If you’re still stuck for new routes, check out an Ordnance Survey map of your local area, but check with your instructor or yard owner to make sure they’re safe before you head off.
A
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My pony is 24 years old and I ride him in the school, take him on hacks and do the occasional Prelim dressage competition, but my friend told me he’s too old to be ridden. Is she right?
Q
Not at all! Every pony reacts differently to growing older – some feel stiff and can’t do as much as a younger pony, but others prefer an active life. Keep your golden oldie going strong by asking your vet to make sure he’s not in any discomfort and if there’s anything you can do to help keep him comfortable. Make sure you ask the dentist to have a look at his teeth at least once a year, too. Take note of any changes in his attitude and behaviour, that way, you’ll know if he’s not feeling 100%. Many ponies continue to work and compete into their 20s, so as long as your pony is happy and healthy, you can carry on having fun together.
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