PONY Q&A

Q: What kind of boots should my pony wear for jumping?

A:The type of boots your pony needs for jumping will depend on the sort of jumping you do with him. If you’re doing eventing and cross-country, you’ll need sturdy brushing boots to protect his legs in case he knocks them on fixed fences.

However, if you’re showjumping, you have three options:

• Brushing boots provide excellent protection for your pony’s legs, as they cover both the front and back of the legs. However, it is thought that they might overheat the legs, which is bad for the tendons and ligaments. If you are going to use brushing boots, you need to make sure that they are well ventilated!

• Tendon boots are open at the front but support the tendons at the back of your pony’s legs. This support for the tendons is very important, particularly when you start jumping a little bigger.

• No boots are usually okay for very small jumps, but we generally wouldn’t recommend this option.

If you are still unsure, chat to your instructor and see what they advise.

Q: Why does my pony buck in canter transitions?

A:Ponies buck for many reasons, but pain or discomfort is the most common and important to rule out. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is get your pony checked out by a vet and make sure his saddle fits correctly. Back pain and issues with the sacroiliac are common causes of bucking, so your vet will want to rule these out. Similarly, a tight saddle could be pinching him as he goes into the canter, which will lead to him bucking in response.

If your vet and saddle fitter are both happy that pain is not the issue, then the best way to prevent your pony from bucking in the transition is to keep him moving forwards. Ensure that you are not pulling back on the reins when he picks up canter because this could cause frustration and prevent him from moving into the canter as he needs to. Instead, you want to soften your hands and gently encourage him forwards. This should reduce the chance of bucking!

Another option is to go into canter on a 20-metre circle to help you keep control. This encourages a correct transition and maintains the bend, which may help to avoid the buck.

We can also highly recommend using a neck strap while you get to the bottom of the issue!