INSIDE your mag... INSIDE your mag...
PONY team adventures
PONY magazine, Olive Studio, The Timber Yard, Grange Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DQ
Tel 01428 601020
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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, Adam Fanthorpe, Lucy Merrell, DBHT/ Peter Nixon, Peter Nixon, Jon Stroud, Chelsea White. Julia Ardaran, Martina Burianova, Rita_Kochmarjova, Dagmara Ksandrova, Vera Larina, mariait, Sv Production, Vera Zinkova, Zuzule/shutterstock.com.
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PONY magazine 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.
While every effort is made to ensure the information and advice contained in these articles is correct, DJ Murphy (Publishers) Ltd, its employees and the authors will not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of anything included in or omitted from such articles.
Articles, photos and drawings are welcome but we cannot be liable for their safe return. Please enclose an SAE.
You can read our full terms and conditions, and privacy and cookies policy at bit.ly/PONY_TERMS and bit.ly/PONY_PRIVACY
The paper used in PONY is sourced from chain-of-custody certified manufacturers, operating within international environmental standards. This ensures sustainable sourcing of the raw materials and sustainable production.
We’re sorry, but it may not be possible to include cover gifts on copies of PONY distributed outside the UK.
PONY supports social media safety – to have a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube account you must be at least 13 years old. Always get your parents’ permission, too.
PONY recommends you wear an up-to-standard riding hat at all times when mounted.
Assistant Ed Sarah has been the envy of the office after her trip to Lincolnshire to spend the day with eventing legend, Ros Canter. You can find out what they chatted about on p26, and keep your eyes peeled for Ros’ epic riding advice in future issues!
Help support horsey charities on p40!
snack
Lou, PONY Ed Ted loves a Polo – or three!
Sarah, Assistant Ed Prince is obsessed with apples!
5-7 hours
Horses typically need this much sleep in a 24 hour period.
We’re getting in the eventing vibe elsewhere in the issue, too, with 14 unmissable XC tips (p20), as well as essential kit (p52)! Until next month! To–do list! THE SUMMER SHOWS WE’RE EXCITED FOR Wellington International Horse Trials. I get to watch the XC and take my dog - perfect! Megan, Ed Assistant The Royal International Horse Show, to get my showjumping fix! Alex, Marketing Assistant
30 minutes How much rapid eye movement (REM) sleep a pony needs every day!
Alex, Marketing Halo loves a good old crunchy carrot
Write to us at PONY mag, Olive Studio, The Timber Yard, Grange Road, Tilford, Surrey GU10 2DQ or email pony@djmurphy.co.uk
DJMur phy
friends Fun with
Who doesn’t love spending time with their four- and two-legged friends?
One of the greatest things about life with ponies is that it’s super sociable so you can enjoy your fave hobby with your horsey besties! Discover our cool ideas to try with friends, as well as important things to keep in mind…
Don’t forget!
Having a pony isn’t just about riding, so don’t worry if you’re not able, or feeling confident enough, to ride with friends just yet. There are so many things you can do on the yard together – plus, hanging out with friends makes even the dullest tasks (let’s be real, poo picking isn’t that fun!) more enjoyable!
1
Design an obstacle course
Setting up different elements to ride over is a great way to build your pony’s confidence and get to know him better. You could use poles, ride past something spooky or even jump a tricky fence! Why not set up a course to complete in-hand, too? It’s a fab way to work on your groundwork skills and boost your bond.
3
Do a drill ride
You could create a new routine, ride your favourite dressage test or even just do your schooling session side-by-side! How fun is that?! You could make it even more epic by playing some music, too.
In the arena
2
gymkhana games
It’s the ultimate way to have fun! From weaving in and out of blocks to going the slowest without stopping, there are heaps of races to try – and the amazing thing is, you can totally make them up to ensure everyone stays in their comfort zone!
first first impressions impressions
Follow our guide to introducing fillers for the first time
Ponies’ eyes don’t see things in quite the same way as ours, so it’s understandable that they might react in unexpected ways. Fillers are a great example of this because – especially if they’re brightly coloured – they don’t look at all the same to your pony as they do to you.
However, there’s loads you can do to boost his confidence and achieve clear rounds. Just follow our tips!
TOP TIP
It might take a few sessions to complete all the steps – remember, little and often is best for building confidence.
Mind and body
It’s super-important to warm up your pony properly. Not only does it prepare his body for exercise, but it also helps to warm up his mind, too. This is especially important when introducing something new for the first time.
No surprises
Warm up around the fillers you plan to jump later. This gives your pony time to get used to them and helps him .understand there’s nothing to worry about.
TOP TIP
Keep the fences small to build his confidence
Introductions
1. Once your pony is warmed up, begin to introduce the fillers. Set them around four metres apart, then walk between them. Praise your pony, and repeat until he feels relaxed.
2. Reduce the distance between the fillers to the length of a pole and repeat.
3. Now place a pole between the fillers and walk over it. Repeat in trot and canter.
4. Once your pony feels relaxed over the pole, you can turn it into a cross-pole. Keep the fillers to the side for now and jump the cross-pole in trot and then canter.
5. Once your pony is confident jumping between the fillers begin to move them in a little.
6. Then turn the fence into an upright and repeat.
7. Move the fillers directly under the fence and jump over them!
Ready, ride, rest Ready, ride, rest
Find out how to care for your pony after riding
Caring for your fave pony properly is super important to keep him happy and healthy. This is especially true after he’s been ridden, when he might be feeling tired and hot. Let’s find out how!
TOP TIP
If it’s a warm day, why not treat your pony to a refreshing bath?!
1 untack
Once you’ve completed a cool-down routine (remember this is just as important as warming up), it’s time to head back to the yard. Dismount, run up your stirrups and loosen your girth a couple of holes. Next, tie up your pony and untack him. Fasten the headcollar around his neck, undo his bridle and gently lower it off his head (being careful not to bash the bit against the inside of his teeth) before placing the headcollar over his head. Next, it’s time to remove his boots (if he wears them). Then undo the girth, making sure to lower it down slowly so it doesn’t drop down against his legs. Lift the saddle up and off his back – don’t drag it across his spine, and catch the girth (again, so it doesn’t bang against his body).
TOP TIP
Re-fasten the Velcro on boots and straps so they don’t collect hair and dirt, which can make them lose their stickiness!
2 3 Look after those legs Cool IT DOWN
Once you’ve untacked, it’s time to remove the sweat from your pony’s body. If he’s dry, you can do this with a flicky brush. However, if he’s still damp then the best way is with a sponge and some warm water (if you have access to it). It’s really important to remove sweat and dirt as when they dry on your pony’s coat or skin, he might suffer from rubs and sores.
On warm days, don’t use a sweat scraper to remove excess water. Leaving the water to evaporate actually helps your pony to cool down much faster! did you know?did you know?
Washing your pony’s legs with cold water is a great thing to do – it cools the tendons as well as washing away any dirt. Plus, it gives you a chance to check for any new lumps, bumps, or minor injuries he might have picked up during exercise.
Ice boots are fab for cooling your pony’s legs after exercise! did you know?did you know?
