RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC

Page created by Kathleen Weaver
 
CONTINUE READING
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
Insert Club Name
   PONY CLUB INC

    2021
RIDERS’ DIARY
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name…………………………………………………………………

Address………………………………………………………………

PCQ Membership Number…………………………………………

Contact Person………………………………………………………

Contact Phone………………………………………………………

Property PIC Number………………………………………………

USEFUL INFORMATION

My Vet………………………………………………………………..

My Farrier……………………………………………………………

My Horse’s Shoe Size……………………………………………….

My Horse’s Rug Size…………………………………………………

DATES FOR 2021 PCQ STATE EVENTS:

• Show Jump/Jumping Equitation:
Venue: TBA Date:

• Dressage/Combined Training/ODE
Venue: TBA      Date:

•   Formal Gymkhana, Sporting, Campdraft and Mounted Games
      • Venue: TBA          Date:
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

1. FRIDAY

2. SATURDAY

3. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
RULES OF FEEDING
         • Water before feeding
         • Feed sufficient bulk feeds
         • Weigh the feed
         • Feed regularly, horses have comparatively small stomachs
         • Don’t work immediately after feeding (at least 1 hour)
         • Feed best quality – no dust or mould. Fresh or well cured. Clean free from
             contaminants.
         • Introduce new feeds gradually
Shedded grassy Lucerne hay has better nutritional value than green Lucerne, which
can scour

1. FRIDAY

2. SATURDAY

3. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
RIDERS' DIARY 2021 - Insert Club Name PONY CLUB INC
4. MONDAY

5. TUESDAY

6. WEDNESDAY

7. THURSDAY

8. FRIDAY

9. SATURDAY

10.   SUNDAY

Riding Notes
11.   MONDAY

12.   TUESDAY

13.   WEDNESDAY

14.   THURSDAY

15.   FRIDAY

16.   SATURDAY

17.   SUNDAY

Riding Notes
18.   MONDAY

19.   TUESDAY

20.   WEDNESDAY

21.   THURSDAY

22. FRIDAY

23. SATURDAY

24. SUNDAY

  Riding Notes
25. MONDAY

26. TUESDAY

27. WEDNESDAY

28. THURSDAY

29. FRIDAY

30. SATURDAY

31. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
1. MONDAY

2. TUESDAY

3. WEDNESDAY

4. THURSDAY

5. FRIDAY

6. SATURDAY

7. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

FOR SAFETY
Ensure your horse is tied up or secured before commencing: Rugging, Grooming,
Clipping, saddling or other work
8. MONDAY

9. TUESDAY

10. WEDNESDAY

11. THURSDAY

12. FRIDAY

13. SATURDAY

14. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

Did You Know?
Licking and chewing are often misinterpreted as signs of respect and
relaxation, however, this action is the result of stress and a dry mouth.
Horses may lick and chew in relief after a stressful/frightening event or lick
and chew when still in a high state of stress.
This picture shows why it’s important to focus on more than just the horse’s
ears. While the left ear is directed to the side and right ear half back, other
facial features show that the horse is tense.
There is tension above the eye. The nostrils are flared and the mouth is tight.
15. MONDAY

 16. TUESDAY

 17. WEDNESDAY

 18. THURSDAY

 19. FRIDAY

 20. SATURDAY

 21. SUNDAY

    Riding Notes

Let’s have a look at how well-adapted the horse is to its habitat:
       Head: The horse has a long head, so his eyes are above the grass level.
       Whiskers: Because of the position of their eyes, horses have a blind spot under their
       mouth, so they use their whiskers to identify stimulus and judge the distance separating
       their nose/lips from things.
       Teeth: The horse is a herbivore: its incisors are broad and flattened, the molars are squared
       and flattened on top to provide a grinding surface. Canines are small or absent.
22. MONDAY

 23. TUESDAY

 24. WEDNESDAY

 25. THURSDAY

 26. FRIDAY

 27. SATURDAY

 28. SUNDAY

    Riding Notes

Horses’ Eyes:
With the eyes on the sides of the head, a horse can see nearly all around the body. It can see on
the sides with monocular vision (one eye) and in front with binocular vision (two eyes).
Unlike predators, the horse does not need a great binocular vision (it only covers between 55 to
65 degrees) as it does not need to accurately judge distances.
Ears: The horse has no real defence system against predators and therefore the ears need to be
very sensitive, capable of moving in different directions and funnel-shaped for good sound
collection. The fur inside also prevents the rain or flies entering the ears
FARRIERS TOOLS

HOOF CARE
It is thoroughly recommended that you check your horses’ feet at least twice daily, and definitely
before and after riding or floating.

   •   Secure your horse
   •   Stand to the side, close to leg you wish to pick up.
   •   Gently run your hand down the shoulder or hip and continue down the leg.
   •   Pick up your horses’ feet.
   •   If the horse resists use your hip to knock him off balance, at the same time as lifting the leg
   •   Hold the hoof close to the toe, not near the pastern
   •   Using a good hoof pick remove any mud and stones.
   •   Always work from the heel to the toe.
   •   Be careful not to dig the hoof pick into the frog (2 above).

Sharp stones, are uncomfortable for your horse and can cause severe bruising and lameness.
Stray objects such as nails and glass, may cause puncture wounds, which in turn can cause major
infections and lameness.
If wet mud, soiled bedding or droppings are left in the hoof for a long time, moist, dirty conditions may
cause a fungal infection, called Thrush, which is a nasty smelling infection in the frog of the foot.
If not treated Thrush can cause lameness and get very sore
1.MONDAY

 2.TUESDAY

 3.WEDNESDAY

 4.THURSDAY

 5.FRIDAY

 6.SATURDAY

 7.SUNDAY

Riding Notes
8. MONDAY

 9. TUESDAY

 10. WEDNESDAY

 11. THURSDAY

 12. FRIDAY

 13. SATURDAY

 14. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

Hoof Care Tip: In dry weather, moisturise your horses’ hooves by soaking each
foot in water for up to fifteen minutes. Water is the only thing that will properly
moisturise your horses’ hooves.
15.        MONDAY

   16.        TUESDAY

   17.        WEDNESDAY

   18.        THURSDAY

   19.        FRIDAY

   20.        SATURDAY

   21.        SUNDAY

   Riding Notes

If you are riding or working your horse under hot conditions and you then dismount after riding him on a
still day, the air flow over his body will stop. His temperature could rise from 40-41oC to 42oC (by 1oC)
within 3-5 minutes before he sweats adequately to lose heat. Once you have finished exercising or
training your horse for the day, walk him for 3-5 minutes to trigger sweat loss. This will allow the air
movement over his body to remove heat from the skin. If he is still saddled, dismount, remove the saddle
and tack, fit a head stall and either wash him over with cool water in a bucket with a sponge (called
‘strapping’), or lightly hose his body, his underbelly and legs with cool water to wash out sweat and
remove heat.
22. MONDAY

23. TUESDAY

24. WEDNESDAY

25. THURSDAY

26. FRIDAY

27. SATURDAY

28. SUNDAY

 Riding Notes
29. MONDAY

30. TUESDAY

31. WEDNESDAY

 Aging by Teeth:
 the age of horse is generally determined by looking at the front teeth of the bottom jaw.
 A foal is born with milk teeth, which are ‘u shaped’, smaller and whiter than the permanent teeth.
  At three years of age the two centre milk teeth are shed and replaced with permanent incisors.
 The two adjacent milk teeth are replaced as the young horse reaches its fourth birthday. The final
 pair are replaced as he reaches five years old and are fully developed at six.
 As each year passes the teeth become more triangular in shape and slope out more.
Correct Saddle Fitting
1. THURSDAY

2. FRIDAY

3. SATURDAY

4. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

How Horses Communicate: part 1
Horses and ponies rely on body language to
communicate. They do make vocal noises,
but generally, their “alphabet” consists of
various behaviors, stances, positions and
expressions to form a “sentence”. This is how
equines communicate to each other
naturally. Because they know nothing else this is also how they communicate to us. It It is
important to understand the basics of horse and pony body language to accurately
assess how and why your horse is feeling the way it does. It also helps determine your
position of leadership as the animal sees it. You’ll also know if your horse is feeling
frightened, spooky, flighty, aggressive, sick, or hurt.
Reading horses takes more than understanding a few key things. You develop an eye for
reading their body language. I recommend observing one horse to start. Watch him while in
the field, in a stall, in the crossties, under-saddle and while being groomed. You will begin to
notice the different moods and emotions he feels.
5. MONDAY

6. TUESDAY

7. WEDNESDAY

8. THURSDAY

9. FRIDAY

10. SATURDAY

11. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

Equine Sweet Itch – Queensland Itch
What is Equine Sweet Itch and how can you spot the symptoms, prevent it or treat it.
Equine Sweet Itch is a seasonal allergic skin condition caused by sandfly bites. although most horses
and ponies are bitten show no major signs or reaction to it., some horses develop an allergy to the
bites. Sweet Itch symptoms include ...severe itching; hair loss; skin thickening; and flaky dandruff.
The top of the tail and the mane are most commonly affected by sweet itch; also the neck, withers,
hips, ears and forehead, and other areas in more severe cases.
Seaweed meal closed handful in feed daily will assist with alleviating itch. Sulphur or garlic in feed
may also assist as repellent to fly
12. MONDAY

13. TUESDAY

14. WEDNESDAY

15. THURSDAY

16. FRIDAY

17. SATURDAY

18. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

How Horses Communicate: part 2
The overall picture when you first look at a horse there are a few things you should notice.
First of all, how is he standing? What is his stance like?
Check to see if his body and muscles are tense or relaxed. Look at the withers and how
the tail and neck are set to determine this.
How is the horse breathing? Is it a relaxed, regular breath? Is it laboured? Does the horse
seem to be holding his breath?
19. MONDAY

20. TUESDAY

21. WEDNESDAY

22. THURSDAY

23. FRIDAY

24. SATURDAY

25. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

How Horses Communicate: part 3
There are a few things that are fairly obvious when looking at a horse.
For example, if the horse is bucking or rearing, the animal is frustrated, defiant, hurting,
aggressive or confused.
Head tossing is a sign of defiance. If under saddle this might be a sign the animal isn’t
listening or is receiving mixed signals.
26. MONDAY

27. TUESDAY

28. WEDNESDAY

29. THURSDAY

30. FRIDAY

Riding Notes

How Horses Communicate: part 4
1. SATURDAY

  2. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
3.MONDAY

 4.TUESDAY

 5.WEDNESDAY

 6.THURSDAY

 7.FRIDAY

 8.SATURDAY

 9.SUNDAY

Riding Notes
10. MONDAY

11. TUESDAY

12. WEDNESDAY

13. THURSDAY

14. FRIDAY

15. SATURDAY

16. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
17.    MONDAY

  18.    TUESDAY

  19.    WEDNESDAY

  20.    THURSDAY

  21.    FRIDAY

  22.    SATURDAY

  23.    SUNDAY

Riding Notes
24. MONDAY

25. TUESDAY

26. WEDNESDAY

27. THURSDAY

28. FRIDAY

29. SATURDAY

30. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
31. MONDAY

Riding Notes

BITS: it is our responsibility, as horse owners to ensure our horse’s bit is as comfortable as
possible.
Bits should be correct size for your horse; the bit should be approx. 1.25cm wider than horse’s
mouth.

Double jointed snaffles such as KK’s or French link are the kindest as they don’t have
‘nutcracker
effect.
Loose ring snaffles are softer than eggbutt snaffles.         **Don’t forget to wash bit after use.
1.TUESDAY

2.WEDNESDAY

3.THURSDAY

4.FRIDAY

5.SATURDAY

6.SUNDAY

Riding Notes
7.MONDAY

8.TUESDAY

9.WEDNESDAY

10. THURSDAY

11. FRIDAY

12. SATURDAY

13. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

Carrots During Drought
The carotene is actually synthesized into vitamin A in a horse's intestinal wall.
The levels of carotene tend to drop in stored feeds, drought-affected forages,
and overly-mature grass forages. ... So it would take about 8 carrots to meet
the daily requirement of Vitamin A for an adult horse at maintenance.
14. MONDAY

15. TUESDAY

16. WEDNESDAY

17. THURSDAY

18. FRIDAY

19. SATURDAY

20. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
21. MONDAY

22. TUESDAY

23. WEDNESDAY

24. THURSDAY

25. FRIDAY

26. SATURDAY

27. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

Warm Ups and Cool Downs:
The importance of these two phases of work can never be overstated!
It takes a minimum of 10 minutes of walking and stretching before the muscles of a horse are
sufficiently loosened and blood flow increased to enable muscles and tendons to be
exercised without risk of tears or other injuries.
Conversely, it takes an equal amount of time for muscles to cool and lactic acid to be
reabsorbed into the system after exercise. Failing to do so can result in serious complications
such as ‘Tying Up’.
28. MONDAY

29. TUESDAY

30. WEDNESDAY

Riding Notes

MARTINGALES (rings)
Martingales are used
to prevent a horse
from raising his head
beyond the angle of
control.
Fitting: with horse’s
head-up in the correct
position place a hand
under the martingale
and push it up. It
should just reach the
horse’s gullet.
Running martingale: a
strap attached at one
end between the
forelegs to the girth. The other divides into two straps with rings at the end. This is
supported by a neck strap. ‘Stops’ must be used on the reins, between the rings and
the bit.
NB: Standing Martingales are NOT allowed.
FLOATING SAFETY –
THE FLOAT AND VEHICLE:
Just like cars, floats need to ‘serviced’ – checked by a mechanic to ensure everything is
as it should be.
Drivers need to also check to see if their car is big enough to tow the float with horses
onboard There are rules for weight restrictions for car and float.
Regular checks float: lights, brakes, wheel bearings, tyres, draw bar and connections to
chassis, tow ball, light connections.
Tow vehicle should have regular services, while float should be serviced on an annual
basis.
Before loading Horse
Ensure float is properly attached to the vehicle with safety chain done up and lights
working.
Tailgate and safety chain are undone and personnel door is open.
THE HORSE
Should be wearing a halter, protective
boots/bandages and rug if
appropriate.

Horse should be tied short enough to
prevent nipping each other while
floating
Horses should be rested 2 hourly on
trips; (check feet for stones before
reloading)
Cornering should be done smoothly
Allow adequate braking distance
Carry a sharp knife in case the lead
needs to be cut in an emergency.

           Horse Dressed for Travel

METHOD
Using accepted pony club method, lead horse onto float and secure tail chain.
This can be done by a single competent adult and a lead sufficiently long to enable it to be
passed under the front bar and back, to enable the handler to reach the chain.
Close Tailgate
Tie Horse
Unloading is done in the reverse order untying the horse first.
Always stand to the side of the tailgate when locking or unlocking, lifting or lowering it.
1. THURSDAY

2. FRIDAY

3. SATURDAY

4. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
5.   MONDAY

6.   TUESDAY

7.   WEDNESDAY

8.   THURSDAY

9.   FRIDAY

10. SATURDAY

11. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
12. MONDAY

13. TUESDAY

14. WEDNESDAY

15. THURSDAY

16. FRIDAY

17. SATURDAY

18. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

Signs of a Healthy Horse
General appearance and behaviour normal for the particular animal:
       Eyes - bright and clear          Ears – Active, moving, alert
       Nostrils clean                   Ears, eyes, and nostrils free of discharge
       Coat even and shiny              Tail carried in relaxed position and not rubbed
       Anus free of muck and discharge Respiration regular and appropriate
       Gums Pink                        Eating normally
       Good overall condition           Sweating appropriately
       Clean, firm droppings.
19. MONDAY

20. TUESDAY

21. WEDNESDAY

22. THURSDAY

23. FRIDAY

24. SATURDAY

25. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

DAILY ROUTINE
Learn to observe your horse and become familiar with his normal behaviour patterns.
Know his specific temperature (38º), Resting Pulse (36-42bpm) and Respiration (8-15bpm)
Learn his recovery rate
Check daily for health indicators, also check both before and after exercise or transporting.
Check for signs of lameness;-Resting of fore leg, foreleg sore nods when sound leg hits ground;
Hind leg sore. Steps short will often drag tow and may throw head up when sore leg hits ground.
26. MONDAY

27. TUESDAY

28. WEDNESDAY

29. THURSDAY

30. FRIDAY

31. SATURDAY

Riding Notes

TYING HORSE
 Horses should always be tied with a quick release knot
 They should only be tied to a solid, immovable object, via bale-twine or other
 breakable medium
 Lead rope should only allow horse’s head to each down as far as base of chest
 Rope should allow sufficient room for horse to move head
TYING HAY NETS
 Should be tied securely with a quick release knot so when full particles do not drop
 down into the horse’s eyes and when empty they do not hang below the base of the
 animal’s breast.
1. SUNDAY

   Riding Notes

Habituation
Habituation is a form of learning in which the horse’s original response to something new gets less each
time he sees it.
This is the simplest form of learning and saves animals wasting energy on reacting to things that will not
harm them.
For habituation to be successful, the stimulus should never cause harm, or the fear will be reinforced. It
is therefore crucial when using habituation to train your horse, never to harm the animal.
For habituation to be complete, the horse needs to get used the object in different situations, so he his
learning in a variety of contexts.
For example:
         A horse has been moved to a new field, close to a busy road. The first time the horse sees the
         traffic he responds with fear and runs away, but with each new passing of the traffic the horse
         becomes habituated, his reaction starts to decrease until, eventually, he doesn't react at all. To
         complete the learning process, the horse should be exposed to the traffic in another field, outside
         the field while on a lead or while riding out.

Sensitisation
Sensitisation is the opposite of habituation; the
horsel’s response increases from repeated
presentation of something.
Sensitisation occurs when the fear is reinforced.

Many trainers, especially “natural” horsemanship
trainers, claim to use desensitisation (meaning
habituation), but actually, provoke sensitisation
instead.
For example, to familiarise the horse with a flapping
tarpaulin they may chase the animal around the pen
with a tarpaulin or attach it
to the horse.
Learning about tarpaulin doesn’t have to be a scary experience. In this picture, horses are investigating
the tarp as a group and loose in the paddock. – “Habituation”
2. MONDAY

3. TUESDAY

4. WEDNESDAY

5. THURSDAY

6. FRIDAY

7. SATURDAY

8. SUNDAY

Riding Notes
9.MONDAY

10. TUESDAY

11. WEDNESDAY

12. THURSDAY

13. FRIDAY

14. SATURDAY

15. SUNDAY

  Riding Notes

HAPPY HORSES
Meeting the needs of your horse is important because:
A lot of behaviour problems are the result of the horse’s needs not being met. Because of
this many behaviour problems can be resolved (or partially resolved) by enriching the animal’s life.
In their natural environment, animals have a lot to do and little time to do it in but in a domesticated
environment it becomes the opposite; there is too much time and not enough to do. Horse balls are one
form of enrichment -but horses need to be first habituated to them.
16. MONDAY

  17. TUESDAY

  18. WEDNESDAY

  19. THURSDAY

  20. FRIDAY

  21. SATURDAY

  22. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

In the 1960s, the Brambell Commission set out “the five freedoms” which outline different aspects of
animal welfare under human control: these are very important if we are to have a healthy but just as
importantly a happy horse.
Pony Club recognises the importance of this and teaches the “Five Freedoms” in our Certifcate Work.
23. MONDAY

24. TUESDAY

25. WEDNESDAY

26. THURSDAY

27. FRIDAY

28. SATURDAY

29. SUNDAY

   Riding Notes

The first two of the ‘Five Freedoms’ are:
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
2. Freedom from environmental stress (excessive heat or cold)
They are about welfare, these are relatively well taken care of, even if many times not properly.
For example, many horses are given the wrong diet, one that contains too many concentrates and too
little grass and hay.
There is also the issue of too much rugging.
30. MONDAY

 31. TUESDAY

   Riding Notes

CONFORMATION
1 WEDNESDAY

 2 THURSDAY

 3 FRIDAY

 4 SATURDAY

 5 SUNDAY

   Riding Notes

The Third of the ‘Five Freedoms’ is:
Freedom from Pain, Injury and Disease:
This is a tricky one but you need to think about it:

       So, if an old horse is pulling a cart and the owner whips it for not going fast enough -we
       think it is cruel don’t we?

       What if a young horse that is being ridden in Showjump stops at fence because it is
       unsure; do you think it is okay for the owner to whip it – OR is that cruel too?
6 MONDAY

 7 TUESDAY

 8 WEDNESDAY

 9 THURSDAY

 10 FRIDAY

 11 SATURDAY

 12 SUNDAY

 Riding Notes

The fourth of the ‘Five Freedom’s is:
      Freedom to act out Normal Behaviour (Just be a horse)
Wild horses or paddocked horses spend:
   • 15 percent of their day drowsing and sleeping
   • 16 to 18 hours foraging and browsing.
   • The rest of the day is spent on activities such as playing, exploring, grooming, rolling etc;
They need time to behave naturally.
13        MONDAY

   14        TUESDAY

   15        WEDNESDAY

   16        THURSDAY

   17        FRIDAY

   18        SATURDAY

   19        SUNDAY

   Riding Notes

Did You Know?
Stabled horses, assuming the horse would be fed concentrate twice a day and hay three times a
day, is:
   • ridden one hour a day,
   • groomed 15 minutes and
   • sleeps like a normal horse.
20 MONDAY

21 TUESDAY

22 WEDNESDAY

23 THURSDAY

24 FRIDAY

25 SATURDAY

26 SUNDAY

Riding Notes

The final one of the Five Freedoms is
‘Freedom from Fear and Distress:’
In many cases, behaviours that are considered undesirable or abnormal by owners are the horses’ natural
responses to unpleasant stimulus causing fear or/and pain.
This may be the case when a horse refuses to trailer load or avoidance of schooling equipment. While horses
are remarkably capable of adapting to a variety of environments, domestication can
be difficult to cope with if the horse’s needs are not being met
27 MONDAY

28 TUESDAY

29 WEDNESDAY

30 THURSDAY

 Riding Notes

Reasons For Grooming
  Keep skin and coat healthy           Removes dirt, mud and unclogs pores
  Provides massage                     Stimulates circulation and muscle tone
  Improves appearance                  Removes dead hair and creates a shine
  Distributes oil through coat         Removes excess oils from coat
          Opportunity to check horse for soreness or injury

Grooming
  Ensure the horse is secured          Stay in close to animal talking as you move around him
  Always place brush against coat      Never ‘bang’ and beware of bony protuberances
  Brush in the direction of the hair   Use long firm strokes whenever possible
  Start with head and neck             Work down towards the feet
  Sponge eyes, lips and dock           Brush of dried mud or wash do not try to brush wet mud

WASHING FOR SHOW
 Secure the horse                     Do not use excessive water pressure
 Start hosing on legs and gradually work up, one side at a time
 Avoid soap in eyes and ears          Keep water and objects out of ears
 Apply shampoo and wash               Rinse thoroughly
 Remove excess water with scraper Towel dry as possible
 Rug if weather is cool               Keep horse out of draughts while wet or damp

Excessive water should be removed from horses’ coat as this can cause dangerous variations in
temperature. ie can cause overheating in summer due to not evaporating sufficiently.
1. FRIDAY

2. SATURDAY

3. SUNDAY

 Considerations when Rugging/Unrugging
 •   Ensure horse is secured by being held or tied with a quick release knot
 •   Introduce rugging to horses quietly and calmly and always in an enclosed area
 •   Clips should be faced inward to prevent becoming blocked with manure etc
 •   When un-rugging:
          o After unclipping leg straps, move them to outside, re-clip them to rug
          o Re-thread tongue of front strap back through buckle to reduce possibility of loss.
 •   Fold back of rug back to waist and do same with front.
 •   Lift rug off horse and hang to air with inside to outer
 •   Rugs should be stored clean and dry when not in use.
 •   A stiff brushing will help to keep rugs free form hair and dirt
 •   Neck rugs and combos are a safer option than hoods in paddock situations
 •   Rugged horses should be checked a minimum of twice daily.
 •   If you do start rugging for winter, you should continue to do so until the weather warms
 •   Rugging horses in winter can save on feed bills
 •   For most horses, rugging in Summer is simply unnecessary.
 •   Even lightweight Summer rugs can prevent your horse from cooling themselves effectively.
 •   Horses rely on sweating to maintain a safe core body temperature.
 •   The problem is in some areas in particular, biting insects can cause a real problem for our horses - this is a
     reason to rug a horse during the warmer months:
 •   When the wrong rug is used, air cannot pass over their body to evaporate the sweat and cool their body.
 •   The type of rug required for insect protection depends on the horse and the offenders.
 •   A very sensitive horse that is under attack from very small biting insects - such as sand flies - would
     need a rug that offers complete block-out, such as a cotton rip-stop rug.
 •    For horses that are less sensitive - or for areas that are prone to biting insects of the larger variety - a
      fly mesh rug is an excellent option.
 •    These rugs will keep larger insects from biting whilst allowing better airflow than a heavier cotton
      rug.
4. MONDAY

 5. TUESDAY

 6. WEDNESDAY

 7. THURSDAY

 8. FRIDAY

 9. SATURDAY

 10. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

TYPES OF FEED
Bulk (Roughage) Feeds; Grass (the natural food of horses), Lucerne hay or chaff (More acidic than grass), Oaten ha
or Chaff, Bran and Pollard (Both calcium depleting).
Concentrate (Energy) Feeds; Grains (including grass seed), Oils, Molasses, Pellets and other processed mixes.
NB Most of these contain minerals and salts, however if your country is deficient so too will be your grasses,
supplements will then be required. Salts are also necessary in hotter climates.
“Grain to horses is like alcohol to man; when taken in moderation in enhances health and promotes a feeling of we
being ; when taken it excess it causes him to see things that do not exist and behave in an unreasonable manner” J
Makin (PCAQ Southport Seminar)
11. MONDAY

12. TUESDAY

13. WEDNESDAY

14. THURSDAY

15. FRIDAY

16. SATURDAY

17. SUNDAY

     Riding Notes

The Aids For Canter Left
 1    Begin form a good quality, rhythmic trot.
 2    Use two or three half halts
 3    Ease the left hip slightly forward and put a bit more weight into the left seat bone -but don’t lean.
 4    Push your left (inside) leg against the horse's girth
 5    Move your right (outside) leg back to slightly behind the girth and give a quick tap with this
      (outside) leg
 6    Ask the horse to flex slightly to the left so you can see the inside eye, while still maintaining a feel
      on the right (outside)
 7    Remember to give with the left hand when the horse canters.
18. MONDAY

 19. TUESDAY

 20. WEDNESDAY

 21. THURSDAY

 22. FRIDAY

 23. SATURDAY

 24. SUNDAY

   Riding Notes

Arena Etiquette:
   • Tracks of the Arena: Outside (Large) Track 1 metre in from the edge of the arena.
   •                      Inside Track 1 metre in from the outside track (2metres from edge)
   • Open Order equally spaced around the arena
   • Closed Order set distances of 1, 2, 3, horse lengths apart
   • Outside track has right of way;
   • Highest pace uses outside track -so lateral work and canter
   • When changing across the diagonal those remaining on the track have right of way
25. MONDAY

 26. TUESDAY

 27. WEDNESDAY

 28. THURSDAY

 29. FRIDAY

 30. SATURDAY

 31. SUNDAY

   Riding Notes

YARDS & STABLES
Stables should be at least 2.75mtrs high with a floor area of 12sq mtrs (horses) 9sq mtrs (ponies)
Yard minimum floor area as above
Well constructed and maintained
Clean bedding such as straw or wood shavings,
Muck out and change bedding regularly       Lime is sweetener/ deodoriser
Ample water provided away from doorway and opposite feed
Regular exercise
1. MONDAY

2. TUESDAY

3. WEDNESDAY

4. THURSDAY

5. FRIDAY

6. SATURDAY

7. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

TYPES OF WORMS
      Round worm, Blood worm, Pin worm, Bot Worm, Tape worm

SYMPTOMS
       Loosing Condition, Ill thrift, Tail rub, Poor coat, Dull eye, Lacking energy, Colic, Cough ;Death!
LIFE CYCLE (stongyles)
       Eggs are passed in manure                Eggs hatch and become larva
       Larva move onto vegetation               Horse ingests larva with feed.
       Larva feed and mature within horse Eggs are laid inside horse
8.MONDAY

9.TUESDAY

10.WEDNESDAY

11.THURSDAY

12.FRIDAY

13.SATURDAY

14.SUNDAY

Riding Notes

CARE AFTER RIDING
   • Cool down is as important as warm up,
   • a good 10 minutes of walk to allow muscles to cool, relax and lactic acid to be reabsorbed into
   • Horse should not be offered water until he is sufficiently cooled
   • Should not be washed unless the weather is sufficiently warm and there is a need (continual
        washing strips natural oils from the coat).
   • Remove all excess water from coat and keep clear of draughts and cold until dry
   • Horse should then be thoroughly groomed and checked for soreness and injury.
   • Then rug if applicable and stable or turn out into paddock
   • A ‘light feed’, containing plenty of roughage and little concentrate should then be given
The following day he should be rechecked for soundness and injury
15. MONDAY

16. TUESDAY

17. WEDNESDAY

18. THURSDAY

19. FRIDAY

20. SATURDAY

21. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

Footfalls
It is important for riders to know and feel their horse’s footfalls
Walk              4 beat          1 inside hind,               2 inside fore,
                                  3 outside hind,              4 outside fore
Trot              2 beat          Right diagonal:              1 (left hind/right fore),
                                                               2 (right hind/left fore)
                                  Left diagonal:               1 (right hind/left fore)
                                                               2 (left hind/right fore)
22. MONDAY

23. TUESDAY

24. WEDNESDAY

25. THURSDAY

26. FRIDAY

27. SATURDAY

28. SUNDAY

Riding Notes

Footfalls (contd)
Canter              3 beat   1 outside hind,
                             2 (inside hind/outside fore),
                             3 inside fore, suspension
Gallop              4 beat   1 outside hind,
                             2 inside hind,
                             3 outside fore,
                             4 inside fore, suspension
Rein Back           2 beat   1 (inside hind/outside fore),
                             2 (outside hind/inside fore)
29. MONDAY

 30. TUESDAY

 31. WEDNESDAY

 Riding Notes

Indications - Of A Healthy, Well-Shod Hoof
           • Wall and Sole appear supple
           • Heels not too long or hard
           • Frog and Bars full and healthy
           • Angle of Hoof correct and similar to that of pastern
           • Base of hoof wall flat and parallel to the ground
           • Placement of nails in line
           • Clinches closed and firm
           • Hoof Symmetrical with point of frog at centre of hoof
           • Shoe firm and correct size for hoof
           • Wall of hoof not overhanging the shoe
           • No cracks in walls
           • Heel supported by shoe
           • Nails not placed further back than point of frog
                                                                               A Well shod Hoof
                                Inside a hoof that is badly in need of shoeing.

                                Note how the toe has grown long and pointed, this can severely affect
                                the angle of the pastern and put a huge strain on the tendons and
                                ligaments of the legs.

                                In really bad cases, where the hoof is left uncared for the toe can grow
                                so long that it will curl upwards and make it nearly impossible or the
                                horse to walk.
TYPES OF BITS AND THEIR ACTION
 Jointed Snaffle             Acts in a nutcracker action on the bars and roof of the mouth.
 Mullen Mouth Snaffle        Acts on the tongue and the bars of the mouth
 Rubber Mullen Mouth         As above may cause rubbing on sides of mouth
 Port Mouth Snaffle          Acts on the bars of the mouth those with high ports also act on roof of
                             mouth.
 Tom Thumb Snaffle           Less likely to pull through mouth or pinch lips than regular snaffles
 FM Snaffle                  As above, but with longer side pieces that are usually in keepers which
                             then act as lever creating pressure on the poll
 French Snaffle and KK       Link breaks the nutcracker action, KK has rounded profile
 Dr Bristol                  A severe bit with centre link set opposing to the French snaffle, putting
                             added pressure on the tongue.
 Hollow Mouth Snaffle        A milder bit that distributes pressure over a larger area, conversely the
                             finer the bit the stronger the action.
 Gags                        Bars of the mouth plus pressure on the poll
 Dutch Gag                   as above, but ‘crank’ length adjustable
 Curbs                       Lever action, chain puts pressure on jaw
 Kimblewick or Spanish       As above, a milder curb due to length of shank
 Egg Butt                    Unlikely to pinch mouth, tapered mouthpiece eases pressure on tongue
 Weymouth                    Curb bit used in conjunction with bridoon in a double bridle
 Bridoon                     Fine snaffle used with Weymouth in double bridle
 Pelham                      A combination bit trying to emulate the above two must be used with
                             equalisers

1.WEDNESDAY

2.THURSDAY

3.FRIDAY

4.SATURDAY

5.SUNDAY
6. MONDAY

          7. TUESDAY

          8. WEDNESDAY

          9. THURSDAY

          10. FRIDAY

          11. SATURDAY

          12. SUNDAY

            Riding Notes

CAUSES
         Care of Horses Teeth
         Horses’ teeth, unlike human teeth, do not have nerves growing up into the teeth, which continue to grow
         throughout most of their lives; as a grazing animal, which grinds often dry and quite harsh feed, this can be a
         distinct advantage. However, sometimes the teeth, particularly the molar (grinding) teeth are prone to uneven
         wear. This problem is exacerbated by two problems, firstly our feeding of processed and more refined feeds and
         secondly and more markedly by the fact that the upper and lower molars are offset from one another meaning th
         two do not mesh exactly and therefore wear is not across the entire surface of the tooth.
         Teeth become uneven and develop sharp edges (outside-upper jaw, inside-lower jaw)that can rub and cut the
         tongue and mouth lining, as well as catching on and causing discomfort with the bit and feeding.
13. MONDAY

14. TUESDAY

15. WEDNESDAY

16. THURSDAY

17. FRIDAY

18. SATURDAY

19. SUNDAY

 Riding Notes

Road Safety
   • Wear a Helmet and have a bridle on your Pony
  • Let someone responsible know where you are going and how you will be; or leave a note.
  • Obey the traffic rules and signs
  • Keep to the left at al times unless there is a wide grass verge on the right hand side.
  • Travel at a walk or a steady trot
  • If there is more than one of you riding, keep together but single file is safest especially in traffic.
  • Say ‘Thankyou” if a motorist slows down for you.
  • Consider other people on the road.
  • Get back to the paddock before dark
20. MONDAY

21. TUESDAY

22. WEDNESDAY

23. THURSDAY

24. FRIDAY

25. SATURDAY

26. SUNDAY
CARE OF TEETH
INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS
Dropping feed        Improperly chewed feed in manure            Chewing difficulty
Biting problems      Head tossing problems                       Losing condition

CAUSES
Horses’ teeth, unlike human teeth, do not have nerves growing up into the teeth, which
continue to grow throughout most of their lives; as a grazing animal, which grinds often
dry and quite harsh feed, this can be a distinct advantage. However, sometimes the teeth,
particularly the molar (grinding) teeth are prone to uneven wear. This problem is
exacerbated by two problems, firstly our feeding of processed and more refined feeds and
secondly and more markedly by the fact that the upper and lower molars of offset form
one another meaning the two do not mesh exactly and therefore wear is not across the
entire surface of the tooth.
Teeth become uneven and develop sharp edges (outside-upper jaw, inside – lower jaw)
that can rub and cut the tongue and mouth lining, as well as catching on and causing
discomfort with the bit and feeding.
TREATMENT
It is necessary to have the vet or qualified equine dentist to check the animal’s teeth that
are causing problems for the animal. Once identified, damaged or sharp teeth may be
filed back to eliminate sharp edges or problem teeth may be removed.

27. MONDAY

28. TUESDAY

29. WEDNESDAY

30. THURSDAY

31. FRIDAY
VICES AND THEIR REMEDIES – return to the past with some of these remedies
KICKING IN THE STABLE
Causes:
   1. Boredom – horse likes to hear noise
   2. Idleness
   3. Irritability
   4. Rats and Mice
   5. Parasites
Remedies:
   1. Pad stable with bales of straw or matting
   2. Line box with coarse hedge material – effective for horses who like to paw or strike
      at the door with their front feed.
   3. Hang a bag of Straw behind hindquarters
   4. Put hobbles on the horse and attach to the headcollar
   5. Put kicking chains on the hind feet-
   6. Keep horse well exercised – divide the exercise into two periods rather than one
   7. If possible turn horse out to grass for six months, may also help

STAMPING AND PAWING
Causes:
  1. Same as for kicking
  2. Lack of Bedding
  3. Impatience
  4. May be sign of internal colic
Remedies:
   1. Removal of cause
   2. Good, deep clean bed
   3. Some of the remedies for kicking horses may also assist with pawing horses

BITING AND SNAPPING
Causes:
   1. Mismanagement
   2. Irritation of horse by improper grooming
   3. Feeding tit bits
   4. Failure to stop playful snapping in early stages, it soon becomes a serious vice
Remedies:
   1. Firmness and kindness. Sharp slap on muzzle at crucial moment will usually effect a
      cure in early stages
   2. Tie up confirmed biters before grooming, to protect the groom
   3. Groom carefully and with consideration. Some horses are more ticklish than others
   4. Avoid irritating horses by rough or careless grooming
CRIB BITING AND WIND SUCKING
Serious vices which constitute unsoundness
Crib biters take hold of a projecting object with their teeth and swallow air. Causes
damage to the incisor teeth and may result in inability to graze properly.
Wind suckers arch their neck and swallow air usually without biting on anything.
Swallowing air into the stomach is a common cause of flatulence and colic. Often impairs
digestion, and may also prevent horse putting on flesh
Causes:
   1. Idleness
   2. Lack of bulk food
   3. Irritation of the stomach which causes a specific craving
   4. Horse may start cribbing by gnawing at manger when groomed or by gnawing
       unseasoned wood
Remedies
   1. Prevent boredom- divide the daily exercise into two periods rather than one.
   2. Paint woodwork in stable with bitter aloes or anti chew mix
   3. If possible keep horse in loosebox – not tied up
   4. Have rock salt constantly available
   5. Provide plenty of bulk feed and ready supply of fresh clean water
   6. A broad “wind-sucking” strap fastened around the thin part of the neck tightly
       enough to prevent the muscles contracting will help prevent wind sucking
   7. Isolate horses that crib bite or wind suck as others are liable to copy them
   8. Recently surgery has been developed in a small piece of nerve on either side of the
       wind pipe has been removed. This has proved successful if performed before habit
       becomes ingrained

WEAVING
A continuous rocking or swaying action of the forelegs followed by a similar action of the
head. Weavers cannot rest and deteriorate in condition
Bad cases may become lame. Starts as a habit and develops into a vice and eventually
becomes a nervous disease. A horse that weaves cannot be warranted sound.
Causes:
   1. Boredom
   2. Nervous horses may be intermittent weavers, only actually weaving when
      someone is in the stable.
Remedies:
   1. Remove cause where possible; In case of boredom apply the same remedies as for
      crib biting
   2. Provide well bedded loose box. Encourage horses to lie down
   3. Two bricks or tyres, suspended over the half door so that they knock the horse
      when he weaves can sometimes be effective.

   4. Avoid periods of idleness – turn them out rather than leaving in stable
   5. Isolate horses that Weave as others are liable to copy them
REFUSAL TO LIE DOWN
Some horses suffer no apparent harm from refusing to lie down but legs suffer and will
last longer if rested
Causes
    1. Nervous- strange surroundings, or horses may have been cast
    2. Lack of bedding
    3. If horse is in stall, shank may be too short
Remedies
    1. Put horse in loosebox with deep clean bed. Try different forms of bedding
    2. Give long steady work for three days
    3. Bring horse late at night (if he is tired and can once be persuaded to lie doiwn he
       may overcome his nervousness

EATING BEDDING AND DROPPINGS
A sign of depraved appetite
Causes;
   1. Lack of bulk foods
   2. Boredom
   3. Lack of minerals or salts
   4. Worm infestation
Remedies:
   1. Remo al of cause
   2. Bed on peat moss. Mix new and used bedding well
   3. Sprinkle bedding with Lysol
   4. Horses may wear a cradle or muzzle
   5. Tie horse up before exercise so he cannot reach bedding or droppings

TEARING CLOTHING OR BANDAGES;
Causes:
   1. Horses trying to alleviate itching associated with a skin disease
   2. Idleness
Remedies:
   1. Examine and treat skin for disease any particular spot the horse bites
   2. Paint clothing with some nasty tasting liquid
   3. Use leather bib hanging from back of head collar, behind lower lip
   4. Use muzzle
   5. Keep plenty of bulk feeds and salt available
2021 CLUB RALLIES and CAMPS

My Pony Club’s Rallies are usually held on
of each month, depending on availability of Instructors.

                   Make a list of things needed for:

  1) Rallies:…………………………………………………………………………………….

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

  2) Camps…………………………………………………………………………………….

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....

     …………………………………………………………………………………………….....
COMPILED BY MEGAN WRAY
You can also read