PONY Magazine – July 2014

h t i w e d i R

This mo exploit nth: UHS (Unyour Horsey ique Skill!)

e d n i c f e n ! o c

it could be what drove yo as a dream – h s e d i r dreams hold yo u to ride u o y or t e l t h ’ n o d t w u u back e e. B ! yon first plac r e e v h t E in

So what’s your dream? Some popular dreams include the following: ● To ride at the Olympic Games ● To run a stable yard ● To gallop on the beach ● To be the next Pippa Funnell ● To own your own pony ● To know everything there is to know about horses and ponies!

Having a dream is great – it drives us and gives us something to aim for. Don’t lose your dreams.

However...

Sometimes our dreams can be such a long time coming (and we have to face it, sometimes they never arrive) that we can get disillusioned. We expect to achieve them easily. Quickly. Just because we want them.

This is unrealistic. Everyone who has achieved their dreams has progressed in a series of steps. Sometimes the steps progress forward – and sometimes they go backwards! So it is vital to remember that to get to your dream, you need to go through these steps.

Can you get ponies to lead?

UHSs While you are working towards your dream, keep your confidence high by discovering you own UHS – your Unique Horsey Skills. The more you worry that you’re not achieving your dream, or that you don’t have the confidence you think you should have, the more barriers you put up and the longer everything takes. Go at your own pace. Remember the tale of the hare and the tortoise? It isn’t necessarily the fastest person who wins the prize!

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Are you ace without stirrups?

U stands for...

The important thing to remember about UHSs is that they are unique – to YOU! Who says you have to do what your friends do? If they all love jumping, it doesn’t follow that you should love it, too. You don’t hear Charlotte Dujardin beating herself up because she hasn’t won Badminton, or wishing she could ride in the Grand National. She’s a dressage rider. That’s what she does. It’s her UHS. Decide your UHS for yourself. Don’t measure yourself against others. Let others do that against you!

Some UHSs ● You’re the rider who gets the best out of the lazy horses ● You’re the rider whose circles are always the best shape ● You’re the person who can tack-up ponies the quickest ● You’re the rider who really gets the pony no-one else loves ● You’re the person who is the best at helping the beginners learn rising trot ● You’re the rider who doesn’t rush at things, but thinks things through, and never misses anything important.

Maybe your UHS could be your ability to colourcoordinate you and your pony!

over to you!

So what are your UHSs? Take time to really think about what you are good at (you can do this with a good friend, and help each other). Write your UHSs here and refer to them when you have a confidence crisis!

Once you have identified your UHSs you can improve them, or work on some more. Build your UHSs until you have a whole stable of them!

Don’t miss h t n o m t x e n

Is pairs riding your thing?

Do you smile through everything?

Being responsible. How being a leader to the pony you ride can increase your confidence!

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Be a horsey hairdresser!

Follow our fab guide to horsey hairdressing, and your pony will have the best locks around!

Plaiting Whether you’re plaiting for a show or for fun, check out these different styles of plaits!

Pulled or natural?

A pulled tail

Some ponies have pulled manes and tails to keep them neat and, in some cases, under control. Whether the mane and tail are pulled or not often depends on breed, what activities a pony does, and how hairy he is!

An unpulled tail An unpulled mane

How to pull a mane in four quick- and -easy steps!

1. Take a small section of hair from underneath the mane 2. Push the hair on top up out of the way with the mane comb

A pulled mane

3. Wrap the section of hair around the comb 4. Pull down quickly to remove the hair

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Image: filmfoto/shutterstock.com

If you’re feeling adventurous, try one of these styles!

le t

Test yourself! 3 Can you identify which of these ponies could traditionally have a pulled mane?

2

4

1

= 3. Thoroughbreds often have their manes pulled.

There are certain areas where ponies could be trimmed to keep them neat and tidy. They are:

Answers

= 1,2 and 4. These breeds would traditionally have natural manes.

Ears

Whiskers (or leave them on as they are feelers)

Unpulled Pulled

Trimming

Tail

Coronet band

Take extra care when using scissors around your pony, and always put them down in a safe place when you are not using them.

Bridle path

Keep your pony’s mane and tail silky and tangle-free by using mane and tail conditioner. It’s also great to use for shows as it adds shine!

Remember Never use scissors to cut your pony’s mane!

Always pull it or use a thinning comb to do the job for you.

Accessories

Before !

In need of a trim

After

y!

Very neat and tid

If you love a bit of something extra, why not add some accessories? You could try diamanté plaiting bands, mane and tail extensions or glitter spray! Your pony will look super bling and you’ll grab attention!

Dressage Deluxe Plait bands from

Go to ponymag.com to download a step-by-step guide to plaiting manes and tails!

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m a c n o y r r a C Pony Club Camp is the highlight of many Pony Clubbers’ year!

Check out our pinboard of PCC pics and get in on the fun!

Balance practice!

Jump that ditch!

Looking smart!

To join The Pony Club, go to www.pcuk.org Team effort

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Another successful PCC

!

amping!

Moving in for the week

Enjoying a picnic lunch Action! Cross country training

Cosy accomodation

Look up and ahead!

Have fun with friends

Time for tack cleaning

1,2,3 Jump!

Pictures: Kit Houghton and The Pony Club and PONY Maga zine

Go to ponymag.com to download our What to pack for camp checklist!

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