PLUS! colouring book
* colouring BOOK
2024 colouring
book cover.indd
1
05/12/2023
go
jumwitphing Meg Elphick!
Super-cute
posters
14:16
Fun
polework for every level!
Lazy pony? SOLVED!
9
pony academ y 0 3
10 January – 6 February 2024
770032 425966
PONYMAG.COM
TAKE THE
*UK ONLY
March 2024 £4.25 Issue 913 DJMurphy
test!
12 horsey things to try in 2024!
INSIDE your mag... Who’s who?
PONY magazine, Olive Studio, The Timber Yard, Grange Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DQ Tel 01428 601020 Advertising enquiries 01428 601028 Email pony@djmurphy.co.uk
Team PONY
Editor-in-Chief Louise Kittle Assistant Editor Sarah Burgess Editorial Assistant Megan Xavier-Witherington Head of Art and Design Sarah Garland Senior Designer Adam Witt Junior Designer Lucy Claydon Digital Marketing Manager Lianne Tadd Marketing Assistant Emily Weeks Art Editor Paul Smail Retail and Merchandising Assistant Evie Epps Marketing Co-ordinator Alison Hill Production Editor Franchesca Slack Advertisement Manager Evie Edgar Production Manager Eleanor Dunn
Executive PONY
Managing Director Zoe Cannon Commercial Director Abi Cannon
PONY team adventures This month...
W
e’ve been thinking about the horsey jobs we love – and loathe! What made us chuckle is how different we all are – so if you want to find out what we’re mad about, and what makes us mad, turn to p47! This year, we’re going to be pushing ourselves to try something new. Do you fancy joining us? Ed Assistant Meg has come up with 12 cool activities to try this year, so get started on p28. Until next month!
xx
Feel inspired with our ideas on p28!
MEET THE PONY TEAM
Smooth operation PONY
Office Manager Vicki Owen Accounts Manager Caroline Leishman Accounts Executive Sarah Smith
Photography
Bob Atkins, Adam Fanthorpe, Nico Morgan, Peter Nixon, Lucy Merrell, Jon Stroud. Arief Adhari, Pic Media Aus, Begir, Green eye, Beatrice Foord-StLaurent, Penny Hicks, Julie Holmes, ImagesbyInfinity, KimKuehke, Rita_Kochmarjova, Maximoangel, Plotitsyna NiNa, Old Town Tourist, VICUSCHKA, Makarova Viktoria/shutterstock.com
PONY subscriptions 01442 820580 Back issues ponymag.com/shop Digital issues Visit the App store or Google Play
Lou and Ted PONY Ed
Sarah and Prince Assistant Editor
Write to us at PONY mag, Olive Studio, The Timber Yard, Grange Road, Tilford, Surrey GU10 2DQ or email pony@djmurphy.co.uk
DJMurphy
Printed by William Gibbon & Sons Ltd. Distributed by Marketforce PONY magazine and Charlie are trademarks and copyright of DJ Murphy (Publishers) Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written authority from DJ Murphy (Publishers) Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure the information and advice contained in these articles is correct, DJ Murphy (Publishers) Ltd, its employees and the authors will not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of anything included in or omitted from such articles.
Tick tock WHY WE CAN’T WAIT FOR THE CLOCKS TO CHANGE
Articles, photos and drawings are welcome but we cannot be liable for their safe return. Please enclose an SAE. You can read our full terms and conditions, and privacy and cookies policy at bit.ly/PONY_TERMS and bit.ly/PONY_PRIVACY The paper used in PONY is sourced from chain-of-custody certified manufacturers, operating within international environmental standards. This ensures sustainable sourcing of the raw materials and sustainable production.
Prince can enjoy more turnout time! Less mucking out for me! Sarah, Assistant Editor
We’re sorry, but it may not be possible to include cover gifts on copies of PONY distributed outside the UK. PONY supports social media safety – to have a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube account you must be at least 13 years old. Always get your parents’ permission, too. PONY recommends you wear an up-to-standard riding hat at all times when mounted.
600g
how much a horse’s brain can weigh!
2
PONY magazine
Fran and Sekonda Production Editor
4-4.5kg
how much a horse’s heart weighs
I can finally start to go out for evening hacks again if the weather’s good – absolute bliss! Evie, Merch Assistant
WIN Harlow mega bundle
Why not give both you and your pony a polework cha lenge? Turn to p20!
see P10
be a better rider
6 12 16 20 24
STAY ON TRACK Jumping tips with Meg Elphick THE SECRET TO PERFECT... Centre lines! HAZARDOUS HACKING Take our quiz! FAIR AND SQUARE Our super-cool pole exercise KEEP ON MOVING Lazy pony? Sorted!
on the cover
on the cover
on the cover
see yourself in pony
37 66
PONY SQUAD All the horsey news and goss! PONYGRAM The best of #classyponyclip
super-cute posters!
Pony care explained
42 44 47
WORM AWAY Become a worming guru! ACE IT Turning out your pony LOVE IT OR LOATHE IT? Our fave horsey tasks!
see P33
28 54
WIDEN THE GOAL 12 horsey things for you to try MISSING MILLIE Can Gabby find her pony?
on the cover
awesome stuff
PLUS! colouring book
* colouring BOOK
2024 colouring
book cover.indd
1
05/12/2023
go
ping jumwith with Meg Elphick!
Super-cute
posters 9
14:16
Fun
polework for every level!
Lazy pony? SOLVED!
TAKE THE
pony academ y 0 3
10 January – 6 February 2024
770032 425966
*UK ONLY.
PONY LOVES... Hillwork PONY ACADEMY on the cover Test your clipping knowledge STAY SAFE The latest body protectors THE FINAL WORD Complete our XC wordsearch! WIN Incredible prizes up for grabs! NEXT MONTH A sneak peak at the Spring issue PONY PICKS Our fave products this month! HELP Your questions answered
Do you know the rules of feeding and why they’re important? Well, we’re here to help! Head to... bit.ly/FEEDING_ RULES
PONYMAG.COM
4 50 56 58 60 61 62 63
Never miss an issue!
visit the website...
Great reading
March 2024 £4.25 Issue 913
test!
DJMurphy
12 horsey things to try in 2024!
Subscribe 01442 820580 Digital issues Search for PONY magazine on your app provider Back issues ponymag.com/shop
PONY magazine
3
Stay on
track Check out Meg Elphick’s top tips to help you ace your next showjumping round!
W
hether or not you want to compete, knowing how to successfully ride a showjumping course is a great skill to have in the bank – plus, jumping’s one of the most fun activities! If you ’re looking to fine tune your jumping rounds, follow my tips and you’ll soon be on your way to a clear and the top of the leaderboard!
count on your canter
Maintaining a positive, powerful canter is key! Showjumping is all about rhythm and balance, so making sure your pony’s canter has both of those things will help you ride a smoother, clearer round. You’ll find course riding so much easier if you can adjust your pony’s canter, too. Try to teach him to listen to your seat – sitting lightly in the saddle means you’re asking him to open up his stride, whereas when you sit deeper, he needs to shorten. This is super-useful when it comes to jumping tricky distances and combinations.
6
PONY magazine
Do your homework
Putting in the hours at home is a crucial piece of the puzzle, and there are lots of ways you can help boost your pony’s performance. First, he has to be fit enough for the job, so make sure you incorporate some fitness sessions into his routine. Second, work on his technique. Some ponies need extra encouragement to make a good shape over a fence so they jump it clear. Luckily, there are hundreds of different exercises you can do to improve your pony’s skills. Have a go at cross-pole oxers, canter poles either side of the fence and V-poles!
Top tip
While training, think about what works well in your warm-up routine and gets your pony focused and ready for action. Then, try sticking to that routine at a comp – it’s sure to give you heaps of confidence!
plan your route
If you’re at a comp, walk the course before you ride it – and remember to walk it with purpose. It’s no good wandering around just looking at the height of the fences! Take note of any areas or jumps that might be spooky for your pony, as well as distances between fences and the lines you’re planning to ride. Maybe there are corners you can cut in the jump-off phase, or lines that require you to push on to get the perfect stride – either way, knowing how to ride each part of the course will set you up for success.
PONY magazine
7
m r o w
away
Confused about your pony’s worming routine? Our top tips will turn you into a worming guru in no time!
U
nfortunately, no matter how well you care for your pony, worms are – to a point – unavoidable. But don’t panic, as there’s plenty you can do to protect your pony from the damage they can cause, and we’re here to help. Our top tips will have you clued up on everything worm related, keeping your pony happier and healthier all year round.
Do worm egg counts
The best way to discover if your pony is affected by worms is to do a worm egg count. These should be done around every two months – you’ll need to collect a fresh sample of your pony’s poo in a special tube, then leave the rest to your vet or a laboratory, which will test it to see how many worm eggs are in it! It’s normal – and nothing to worry about – for a pony to have some worm eggs. Usually treatment is only needed if the count is higher than 250 eggs per gramme of poo – however, the centre testing the sample will advise you on what treatment, if any, is needed when they give you your pony’s results.
42
PONY magazine
1
did you know? Small numbers of worms in your pony’s gut can be healthy, as they help to build up immunity.