PONY Magazine - November 2014

We meet Charlotte Dujardin!

Be rug-wise with our winter rug guide

THE UK’S

NO1 PONY

MAGAZINE

Get the

max

from your riding!

We show you how

A Z o

f feeding!

9

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1 1

iences

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Test yourse lf w ith our r i di ng qui z

Riding high?

Are you a flatwork master? Do you know everything about riding and schooling? Test yourself with our ultimate riding quiz!

B C

1c

1b

1A

2A

1

Which pace is the pony in each picture in?

3

What movement are the pony and rider in this picture performing?

A

Changing the rein Shoulder in Rein back

B C

4 6

What is counter-canter?

A

A training movement where the pony takes the opposite canter lead for the rein and bend he is on.

B

Where the pony changes canter leads on command.

C

It describes a canter that is evenly paced so that you can count the beats of the canter.

5 A B C

Which of these is the best description of a square halt?

Where the rider asks the pony to halt at any marker inside an arena (the arena being the ‘square’).

It is the term used to describe the correct position of the rider when asking for halt.

It is when a pony halts correctly, and stands with all four legs in a square shape.

What does the rider need to do in order to change the diagonal in working trot?

Come back to walk for a few strid es, then ask for trot again, then make sure they start trotting on the correct diagonal.

The pony will correct the diagona l himself if he is wrong.

Sit for an extra beat of the trot then

continue in rising trot.

6

When schooling, what does it mean when your pony moves his ears back and forth?

A

That he is listening to the aids that you are giving him.

B

He is telling you where he wants to go next by pointing his ears in that direction.

C

He is bothered by flies.

8 A B C

How many beats does an extended walk have?

2 4

7 A B C

Which of these best describes the aids for canter?

Slightly open inside rein to flex the pony to the inside, use the outs ide leg about a hands width behind the girth and use the inside leg at the girth.

Open the inside hand to flex the pony to the inside and keep both legs on at the girth.

Keep your hands level with even pressure, use the outside leg about a hands width behind the girth and use the inside leg at the girth.

9

Can you name the rider faults in each picture?

9A

9b

3

9c How did you do ...

3. C 4. A 5. C 6. A 7. A 8. B

9a. Rider has no contact 9b = Rider has fixed hands and elbows 9c = Rider is tilting forwards and dropping her hands 10. B Which of these is the description of a correct riding position?

A

Sit with your lower leg secure and your heels pushed down.

Your seat should be square in the saddle and your upper body tilted slghtly forward to allow you to give with your hands.

B

Sit upright in the lowest part of the saddle with your hips square. The seat, thighs and knees need to be relaxed to allow the riders lower leg to sit on the pony’s side. The ankle should remain supple and the heel slightly lower than the toe.

C

One point for each correct answer 1a = Walk 1b = Canter 1c = Trot 2. A

10

/14

Sit up straight with your arms out in front of you so there is a slight bend in your elbows. Grip the saddle with your thighs and keep your lower leg in a forward position, with your heels down.

Now add up your points!

0-5 points You still have a bit to learn about riding and schooling. The more lessons you have, and different ponies you ride, the more you will gain knowledge and confidence. You’ll be a schooling superstar in no time!

6-10 points You have a good level of riding knowledge but are lacking in some areas. Swot up with PONY Mag and maybe think about having some private schooling lessons to really develop your riding technique.

11-14 points Wow, you’re a fountain of riding knowledge!

Keep up the good work and keep on progressing your riding. You could try entering a dressage competition if you haven’t already!

7

A-Z

by Clare Barfoot RNutr, SPILLERS

Part one

(cos there are too many to include in one go!)

of Nutrition

Amino acids are compounds that combine together to form proteins which are the building blocks of life. Proteins are digested and broken down to amino acids.

Antioxidants are molecules that neutralise potentially dangerous molecules called free radicals that are produced by the body. Examples of antioxidants in the diet include vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium.

B vitamins are soluble in water and are produced from the bacteria present in your pony’s gut. They include biotin, that is often used to support hoof health.

Bran is the outer covering of wheat and has been traditionally used in mashes – although its use is not really recommended today as it has an unbalanced ratio of calcium and phosphorus, and can upset the delicate balance of gut bacteria in your pony.

The caecum is a large sac that forms a very important role in your pony’s gut.

It houses large numbers of bugs that ferment the fibre that your pony eats into molecules which are digested by your pony and used as energy.

Calcium is a mineral needed in the body for healthy bones, nerve transmission, muscle and heart contraction.

99% of the body’s calcium is located in bones.

Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin as it is produced by your pony’s body in response to sunlight. Its many functions include helping bone health.

Digestible Energy. Often referred to as D.E. on feedbags. It is the energy available to your pony after he had digested his food – in other words, after he has produced manure!

16

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that helps protect cells against damage. Look out for it on feed labels as it is often low in the cheaper economy feeds.

Electrolytes. These minerals are found in your pony’s blood and other body fluids and they carry an electrical charge. They affect the amount of water in the body, the acidity of the blood (pH), muscle function, and other important processes. Lost through sweat, Electrolytes must be replaced through the diet. Common electrolytes include: sodium, chloride, magnesium, potassium and calcium.

Fibre is fundamental to a pony’s diet – ponies have evolved to eat fibre! It is found in grass, hay and haylage, and in feeds like high fibre cubes and chaffs.

F.O.S. This stands for fructooligosaccharide, which is a soluble fibre that acts as a prebiotic (a food source) in the pony’s gut for the good, fibrefermenting bacteria.

Glucosamine. A type of sugar known for its role in supporting joint health.

Glucose. A simple sugar and one of the molecules of life. Sugars and starches in your pony’s diet will often be broken down to glucose before they are absorbed. There are some conditions – for example laminitis – where the sugar level in the diet needs to be restricted, but eliminating sugar completely is both unnecessary and impossible to achieve.

Hay. Grass which is dried and harvested during the summer. It is fed to horses and ponies over the winter months to replace nutritious summer grass.

Haylage. Similar to hay, haylage is baled before drying, and wrapped in plastic to keep it moist. It is often thought of as more nutritious than hay, but the only way to be sure is by having it analysed.

Iron. A trace element (a mineral needed in small quantities) which is rarely deficient in the diet as it is abundant in grass and forage – so it shouldn’t be supplemented in large doses. Iron is involved in red blood cell production and carries oxygen around the body. However, anaemia is unlikely to come about due to an iron deficiency, contrary to popular belief!

Iodine. Iodine is a trace element required in very small amounts in the diet and is involved with thyroid function.

Joint supplements. These may be beneficial if your pony is in his senior years, is very active or has any lameness issues.

Typical ingredients include glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate and MSM.

Vitamin K. A fat-soluble vitamin made by the bugs in the hind gut, and important for bone and skin health. It is heavily involved with blood clotting.

Next month Nutrition L -Z 17

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