INSIDE your mag... INSIDE your mag...
PONY team adventures
Who’s who? 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 Assistants Kirsty Lucas, Megan XavierWitherington
Head of Art and Design Sarah Garland
Deputy Head of Art and Design Adam Witt
Designer Lucy Claydon
Digital Marketing Manager Lianne Tadd
Marketing Assistants Alex Uren, Emily Weeks
Art Editor Paul Smail
Marketing Co-ordinator Alison Hill
Advertisement Manager Evie Edgar
Production Manager Eleanor Dunn
Executive PONY
Managing Director Zoe Cannon
Commercial Director Abi Cannon
Smooth operation PONY
Office Manager Vicki Owen
Accounts Manager Caroline Leishman
Accounts Executive Sarah Smith
Photography
Bob Atkins, Peter Nixon, Jon Stroud, Chelsea White, Jo Hansford Photography (p30). Andrzej Kubik, arthorse, ivgaphotographer, Julia Ardaran, Maglara, OryPhotography, Rita_Kochmarjova Creators/ shutterstock.com.
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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.
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PONY recommends you wear an up-to-standard riding hat at all times when mounted.
The Easter holidays are approaching and we just can’t wait! Plus, it’s officially light enough to ride after school – finally!
When you outgrow your pony – whether it’s at the riding school, or your own or a loan or share, it can feel really daunting to say goodbye and then build a relationship with a new pony. We know, we’ve been there! So Team PONY have put together our top tips for getting to know and bond with a new pony – turn to p16 to find out how!
the team: FAVE DISCIPLINE
Improve your ability to string fences together on p6!
Lou, PONY Ed Eventing is my number one
Sarah, Assistant Ed Anything that involves speed!
37 litres The average amount of saliva a horse will produce in one day!
How much an adult human produces! Ask
1 Litre
Alex, Marketing Showjumping, for sure!
Write to us at PONY mag, Olive Studio, The Timber Yard, Grange Road, Tilford, Surrey GU10 2DQ or email pony@djmurphy.co.uk
longer days ahead OUR SPRING PLANS
I can’t wait to go on an evening hack with Ben and watch the sun set – my fave! Kirsty, Ed Assistant
I’m looking forward to a warm spring day and hanging out with Halo, grooming and bonding!
Alex, Marketing Assistant
DJMur phy
Performance progression Performance progression
Part one: polework
Superstar eventer Ellie Fredericks shares her skill-boosting tips!
IIn my new series, I’m going to show you how to supercharge your jumping skills! This issue, we’re using a polework layout that will turn into a grid. It’s brilliant to help improve rhythm and straightness! Then, finally, we’ll put your new skills to the test with just a few single fences.
But how is that a test? Well, poles and grids help regulate your pony’s rhythm, which makes it easier to find a consistent stride. Take the extra elements away, and you’ll have to communicate effectively with your pony to help him to perform at his best. But starting with the basics is so important in building a trusting and confident relationship, so let’s get started!
Ellie Fredericks is an eventer who has competed up to 4*.
OUR EXPERT
set it up
You’ll need eight poles for this layout, plus six poles, boards, fillers or similar to act as your guide lines.
Starting at the V, place three canter poles (2.5m apart) followed by three more poles 5–6m apart (so your pony can fit in two canter or four trot strides) with guide rails in between each one.
Remember, these distances are a guide, so adjust them to suit your pony’s stride.
If you don’t have enough poles or your arena isn’t long enough, remove one set of poles from the end without the V.
Top tip
Ask a friend to watch you from the end of the arena and tell you if you were straight.
Play around
Play around
This exercise is about staying straight, but in your warm-up make the most of the poles by riding changes of rein, turns and transitions over and around them. It’s a great way to get your pony warmed up, check he’s listening and familiarise him with the poles.
Top tip
Set it up on the centre line so you can approach from either rein but always ride through starting from the end with the V poles.
Right Right
on time on time
Make more time for riding with Harlow’s top tips for being efficient on the yard
With so many ponies to exercise, school work to do and vlogs to film, as well as downtime and seeing my friends – I have to save time wherever possible, otherwise I’d be exhausted and just wouldn’t get everything done!
While it’s important not to overlook or rush the important tasks, such as checking your pony over or warming up, there are ways to make better use of your time. Check out my tips!
Batch cooking
Making haynets can be such a chore, not to mention messy! But by dedicating time to filling a whole load of nets at the start of the week, you’ll save precious minutes each day. You can also make a batch of bucket feeds, either into spare bowls or sandwich bags, so meals are ready when needed – just don’t add any liquid until you’re using them so they don’t go sour or mouldy.
Quick flick
If your pony comes in from the field covered in mud and you’re desperate to ride, why not just groom the areas where his tack will sit? Although it’s nice to have a clean pony, it’s not essential to have him sparkling every time. Just make sure you check him over carefully and then give him a thorough groom the next day.
Skip out
While you’re at the yard and before you leave, pick up any droppings from your pony’s stable to prevent him from treading them in and help save you time when mucking out. Keeping his bedroom clean will make your bedding last longer, too, so it’s a win-win!
On track
If you’re on a yard with friends it’s easy to get distracted, which means jobs can take sooo much longer. You could pop your headphones in and listen to your fave playlist, audiobook or podcast to help keep you focused and complete your tasks more quickly.
away from home away from home
Our guide to managing your pony away from home!
Whether it’s for a show, training, horsey holiday, or a few days exploring new hacking routes, taking your pony somewhere is really exciting. But the change in routine can also be unsettling for him. Here’s all you need to know about managing your pony away from home, so you can plan ahead!
What to bring?
Before you go, make sure you have everything you and your pony need, including... tack grooming kit riding gear first aid kit water buckets plenty of water his usual feed, supplements and feed bowls more than enough hay, just in case of any delays his fave treat any rugs he might need travelling kit extras, such as a spare lead rope, reins, girth, stirrup leathers…
Loading and travelling
Practising loading at home before setting off can be super helpful, especially if your pony hasn’t travelled a lot, or hasn’t travelled recently. This will help to build his confidence and ensure your trip goes smoothly.
did
you know?did you
His new home
Once you arrive, set up your pony’s stable just how he likes it! Make sure he has plenty of hay and water, a comfy bed, and even his fave stable toy if he has one. Doing this will help his new stable feel more homely and help him to settle more quickly.
It’s important your pony has enough time to settle into his new environment. This could mean taking him for a leg stretch in-hand or letting him munch on his haynet while he takes in his new environment. You know him best, so think about what might work to help him relax.
