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Email pony@djmurphy.co.uk
Team PONY
Editor-in-Chief Louise Kittle
Assistant Editor Sarah Burgess
Editorial Assistant Megan Xavier-Witherington
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Art Editor Paul Smail
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Smooth operation PONY
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PONY recommends you wear an up-to-standard riding hat at all times when mounted.
we had so much fun watching This Esme and Joey having a polework sesh with Inspire Dressage’s Tania Grantham! In fact, it inspired us to head home and set up the layout to do it ourselves. Why don’t you give it a go, or show the page to your instructor to see if you could try it in your next lesson?
The countdown to the summer holidays is on, and we have a whopping list of horsey things to do, whether at the yard, at home or even on a family trip! Enjoy!
Write to us at PONY mag, Olive Studio, The Timber Yard, Grange Road, Tilford, Surrey GU10 2DQ or email pony@djmurphy.co.uk
Ace riding over bounces with our handy hints p22! 70% How much of your pony is made up of water!
1.2% How much of his body weight your pony can lose in sweat, so hydration is key!
Sunny summer
HOW WE SPEND OUR SUNNY DAYS
Giving Prince a bath and seeing his coat sparkle in the sun. Dreamy!
Sarah, Assistant Ed
Splashing through water out on the XC course on Sekonda –sooo refreshing! Fran, Production Ed
Top tip
Don’t forget to clean your tack as well as your pony!
Get your pony show ring ready with Harlow’s
howing is all about presenting your pony at his very best, both in the way he looks and how he moves. So, making sure he looks the part is a key element to your success! Here’s how I get Rolo looking fab.
I have two grooming kits – one includes all the daily grooming essentials, and the other is just for show prep! This one goes to every comp with me and is always to hand when it’s time to make the all-important final touch-ups before I enter the ring. It includes items such as…
• coat shine
• hoof oil
• baby oil
• baby wipes
• fluffy mitt
• hair brush
Massaging or curry combing your pony will help stimulate blood flow, which can improve skin and coat quality. Plus, using a curry comb when bathing will help lift dirt away from the skin and make your pony super-clean! did you know?did you know?
Top tip
Remember, avoid using any coat shine in the areas where your pony’s saddle sits because it will make his coat really slippery!
To avoid spending hours getting Rolo prepped for a show, I try to keep on top of his grooming routine so he stays relatively clean, which means it doesn’t take too long to get him gleaming on the day itself. If he ever comes in from the field caked in mud, I’ll give him a bath to banish the dirt and keep his coat in top condition.
Follow our guide to getting your tack ship-shape!
Follow our guide getting your tack Cleaning your tack might not be your fave horsey job, but it’s sooo important! Find out why, and how to make your pony’s kit sparkle with our guide.
There’s more to tack cleaning than just making it look good for show days. When riding, it will pick up grease and dirt that, if not removed, can rub and cause irritation to your pony’s skin, as well as damaging the leather. Regularly cleaning your tack will help it last longer, too. Using a special conditioner can help nourish the leather, and inspecting your pony’s kit for damage, such as loose stitching or sharp edges on the bit, means you can keep it in check so it doesn’t fall apart while riding –disaster!
1. Take your bridle apart by undoing all the buckles – remember you’ll need to put it back together so it’s worth taking note so you can do it in reverse later!
2. Rinse the bit under a tap or pop it in a bucket of water to soak – this will help release any dirt that’s stuck to it!
3. Using a cloth dipped in warm water and rung out, wipe over your bridle to remove the grease and dirt. Don’t get the leather too wet as this could cause damage.
4. Grab your tack cleaner and apply according to the instructions – some will require water, but others can be applied directly!
5. Now the tricky part, put it back together!
6. Loop the throatlash through the reins so they don’t drag on the floor and ta-dah – you have a super-clean bridle!
did you know?did you know?
You can buy lots of different tack cleaners and conditioners. Some of them have a 2-in-1 formula that makes cleaning quick and easy!
While you’ve got cleaning kit out, why not give your boots a polish? They need looking after, too!
Rinse off your bit after each ride and wipe it dry with a towel. This will help prevent the gunk sticking and reduce scale build-up.
