PONY Magazine – October 2020

ok! bo te ny po e ut r-c pe no Su plus

this esme Joey’s training journey

Improve your

pony’s paces

XC

Ace

ditches every time

all all about about

sharing a pony

Are you a perfect

riding school pupil?

Win! Win!

Gorgeous

Breyer models

Gain control over fences

with Joe Stockdale 1 0 9

770032 425980 26 August – 22 September 2020

Oct 2020 £3.99 Issue 869

Quiz

Pony n u t s yard tour

PONYMAG.COM

joey’s

training journey Catch up with This Esme and her gorgeous new horse, Joey

J

oey has been with us for a few months now, and I’m totally in love with him!

He’s such a nice horse to have around and, because he’s so willing to try, I’m really enjoying training him. I’m sure you’re keen to find out how we’ve been getting on, so here’s a sneak peak at what we’ve been working on in the school, and the exercises that are helping transform his paces!

Early learning

Joey has just turned six years old and had only done some basic training before he came to me, so he’s got loads to learn!

I’m really excited about being the one who teaches him all about flatwork and jumping, but it’s a huge responsibility. I’ve got to make sure I make schooling sessions fun and interesting for him, and that I’m super-clear with my aids so he understands what I want him to do. It’s also really important to keep sessions short and sweet, so he doesn’t get too tired. He’ll be able to do a little more as he gets stronger and fitter.

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C

Bite-sized training

Like most young horses, Joey finds it easier to learn new things if I break them down into small, easy steps. To make sure I build and keep his confidence, it’s super-important not to rush him, and I always make sure I give him loads of praise when he’s done the right thing.

Even cantering a 20m circle was tricky for Joey at first. He found it hard work and he was a bit like Bambi on ice because he didn’t know what to do with his legs! So to start with, I just asked him to canter for a few strides at a time, and brought him back to trot before he lost his balance. Over time, we’ve built up to cantering all the way round!

H

M

E

B

K

F

EXERCISE ONE:

Lovely loops

Shallow loops are great for improving Joey’s balance and suppleness, and they’re helping improve my accuracy as well! It’s best to try the exercise in walk first, then have a go in trot when your pony’s got the hang of what you want him to do.

A

Top tip

Transitions are important for any horse, but they’re super-useful for young horses like Joey. Going through the paces is great for teaching him to respond to my aids and it’s improving his balance, too.

HOW TO RIDE IT 1. Go large around the arena on the right rein, and ride past C. When you’ve turned down the long side, prepare to leave the track at M by opening your inside (right) hand a little and pressing your inside leg on the girth.

Keep the contact with your outside (left) rein, and stop his quarters swinging out by placing your outside leg behind the girth. Turn your body a little to the right and

put a bit more weight in that stirrup.

2. Ride a smooth curve that takes you approx 5m off the track when you’re opposite B. When you reach this point, start to curve back towards the fence – reverse the aids above to change your pony’s bend.

3. Return to the track at F, then try another loop from K to H. 4. Change the rein and have a go the other way.

Joey’s really getting the hang of shallow loops

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FAIR AND

SHARE What is sharing?

did you know?

Sharing’s when you get to ride, and maybe help care for, a pony a few days each week. He’s owned by someone else, and they’ll ride and look after him on the other days.

Sharing can also be an option if you’re a pony owner, but need help exercising and caring for him and covering his costs.

Is it right for me?

A share’s perfect if you’ve been having lessons for a while and have a good basic knowledge of pony care, but you’re not quite ready to own one yet.

You can still build a bond with a pony, but you’re not responsible for his care all the time, and you won’t have to pay his livery or vet bills.

All shares work slightly differently, and It can be the ideal stepping it’ll depend on what the pony’s owner stone to full-time owning or has in mind. You’ll probably be expected loaning. to pay a small amount towards his costs, which could be an amount per ride or per week, and maybe a contribution towards his farriery bills, too. On the days you ride you’ll look after the pony like he’s your own.

Sometimes, though, a pony’s owner may just want help with yard chores or exercising the pony and may not expect To find a share, look on you to pay for riding. noticeboards in tack or

What’s the deal?

On the look out

feed shops. Ponies for sale websites often have a shares section, or ask friends who own a pony if they need any help exercising or caring for them.

A lot of riding schools run share schemes, so you could get to spend even more time with a fave pony you have lessons on! It can cost more to share

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this way, but there’ll be extra benefits, such as being confident the pony’s suitable and knowing you’ve got knowledgeable people around to help. You should be able to benefit from the riding school’s facilities, too!

All about sharing a pony

Y

ou may be super-keen to get a pony of your very own, but sharing might work out to be a better option. It’s the perfect way to enjoy more pony time, but without the extra costs or commitment of owning. Here’s what you need to know...

top tip

Before the share starts, pop along to the yard so the pony’s owner can talk you through his routine.

The perfect partner

You’re sure to be super-excited about finding a pony to share, but it’s really important not to rush into it, and take as much care as if you were buying a pony. You need to make sure you’re perfect for each other, and that he ticks all the right boxes. He should be... the right size for you quiet to ride and a perfect match for your riding abilities calm to handle good in traffic, especially if you want to do lots of hacking free of vices, such as biting, kicking, bucking, bolting or rearing

On trial

When you go to view a potential share pony, take your instructor with you. They’ll help you try him out properly, and will be able to let you know whether they think he’s right for you.

Start by riding him in walk and trot in the school and, if all goes well, have a canter. If you’re keen to do some jumping with your share pony, pop over a few fences. If you plan to enjoy lots of hacking, test what he’s like in traffic and open spaces.

Spend some time on the yard with the pony, too, to find out how easy he is to lead and handle. Ask if you can bring him in from the field, then groom and tack him up yourself.

top tip

Keep in contact with the pony’s owner so you can let them know how you’re getting on with him.

Share your goals

You may just be looking for a pony that you can hack out or school, but if you’re dreaming of going to shows and Pony Club rallies with a share pony, you’ll need to get his owner’s permission. It’s best to ask about this when you view the pony to avoid being disappointed later on.

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