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
Staff Writer Nicky Moffatt
Editorial Assistants Kirsty Lucas, Megan XavierWitherington
Head of Art and Design Sarah Garland
Deputy Head of Art and Design Adam Witt
Art Editor Paul Smail
Designer Lucy Claydon
Marketing Manager Lianne Tadd
Digital Marketing Manager Alex Uren
Marketing Assistant Emily Weeks
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
DreamWorks Animation LLC, Bob Atkins, Rose Daydream Equine Art, Adam Fanthorpe, Lucy Merrell, Jon Stroud. Sabine Hagedorn, JNix, Rita_Kochmarjova, Plotitsyna NiNa, nnattalli, JW.photography31, slowmotiongli, Smiler99/ shutterstock.com. Mike Bender/adobe.com
PONY subscriptions 01442 820580 Back issues ponymag.com/shop
Digital issues Visit the App store or Google Play
Printed by William Gibbon & Sons Ltd. Distributed by Marketforce
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.
HAsk
the team: FIRST RIDE...
unter trial season is finally here! The PONY team has been reminiscing about our first XC outings. From learning the course to warming up, what to wear, and how to handle the inevitable – and totally natural – nerves, we’ve got you covered! Turn to p12! How much do you know about Norwegian Fjords? I confess I didn’t know a lot – until I read the feature on p52. And now? Well, let’s say my internet browsing history is looking pretty Fjord-heavy. I’m obsessed! Until next month! Autumn glow
Find out why we love hacking on p18!
Lou, PONY Ed Gypsy, a rideand-drive cutie!
Sarah, Assistant Ed Pom Pom, a sweet piebald mare
Alex, Marketing Billy, a super-cute Shetland
Write to us at PONY mag, Olive Studio, The Timber Yard, Grange Road, Tilford, Surrey GU10 2DQ or email pony@djmurphy.co.uk
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO
Cosy yard outfits and pony snuggles. Emily, Marketing Assistant
Hacking through the woods as the leaves change to shades of red and gold! Lucy, Designer
DJMur phy
WIN WIN
fun in the field fun the field
Check out our guide to jumping on grass!
Like you, we looove jumping but doing it on grass is very different to flying over fences in a surfaced arena. So, we’ve got all the tips you need to help you nail it!
TOP TIP
If you’re unsure, ask an experienced adult to check out the area with you.
The benefits
There are sooo many benefits to riding on grass, including...
• improving balance – riding on grass tends to include some gentle slopes, which are fab for strengthening your pony
• becoming sure-footed – the ground is rarely completely level, which means your pony will become more aware of where his feet are
• boredom breaker – it’s a fab way to mix things up and keep your pony interested in his work!
Check it out
Before heading out with your fave pony, it’s important to check the space you plan to ride in first. Are there any ruts or rabbit holes? Is the field secure? Is the ground very hard or wet? Ensuring the area is safe is key to preventing any strain on your pony’s legs, as well as keeping you both safe.
Let’s get going
Warming up is super important for keeping your pony’s body feeling its best. So, make sure to give him a good stretch and walk to loosen him up before beginning your warm-up routine. Remember to do everything evenly on both reins in walk, trot and canter before jumping!
did you know?did you know?
Riding on grass is a great change of scenery and super fun making it ideal for opening up laidback ponies!
Fun, funky and fresh
Some ponies can find riding out in open spaces veeery exciting. The key is to keep him focused on you – and the good news is, there’s lots you can do to help him relax and keep his mind busy. Try...
• riding lots of shapes
• circling around each fence
• changing the direction often
• riding transitions within the pace and between paces
cross-country first timer first timer
Our guide to boosting your cross-country confidence!
Have you ever wanted to give cross-country a go but you’re not quite sure what to expect? We share our tips and tricks so you can be prepared!
What to expect
• Warm-up area – Depending on the venue, it’s likely there will be a space for you to warm up around a selection of fences before heading out further into the cross-country field.
• Jump etiquette – The fences will be marked with a white flag and a red flag. This tells you which way the fences should be jumped – with white on your left and red on your right.
• Be mindful of others – When hiring a crosscountry venue, there will probably be other riders on the course at the same time, so keep your eyes and ears out and try to stay out of each other’s way where you can! There’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy their time safely and you might even make new friends, too!
what to bring
• Body protector
• Skull cap that meets the latest safety standards
• Gloves
• Long-sleeve top
• Boots for your pony
• Plenty of water
How to prepare
Preparation makes all the difference to you and your pony’s confidence. Here’s how to get cross-country ready...
• Whether it’s hacking or schooling in the field, spend time getting comfortable riding outside the arena. Cross-country courses are open spaces, so if you and your pony are confident working out in the open you’ll find your first cross-country experience a breeze!
• Practise jumping in different places, not just at home. It doesn’t matter how small the fences are – the most important thing is you have good steering, control and a partnership with your fave pony. This will help you ride accurate lines, approach fences confidently and have a great time, too!
• Building fitness is super important in the lead-up to your first time cross-country as the different ground conditions and gradients can be tiring for your pony. You can help by working him on a variety of surfaces as well as doing some hillwork to boost his strength and balance.
Confidence crisis
It’s totally normal to feel nervous before your first cross-country session – even the pros get butterflies sometimes! Think back to all the training you’ve done in preparation and make sure you tell your instructor how you’re feeling so they can help you take it at your own pace.
Starting small is the best way to build your and your pony’s confidence. It will allow you to get a feel for your pony without the pressure of bigger or more complex fences.
Remember, just being there and giving it a go is a huge achievement – everyone starts somewhere!
Boredom Boredom busting busting
Eight ways to enrich your pony’s environment!
Enrichment not only helps to keep your pony occupied, it also encourages natural behaviour, improves physical health and reduces stress and anxiety. So, find out how you can get creative with our enrichment guide!
Stable savvy
Spending more time in the stable – maybe because he’s on box rest or the paddocks are too wet – can cause ponies to become bored or frustrated due to limited exercise and interactions with other ponies.
But, with a few quick-and-easy adjustments you can turn your fave pony’s stable into a fun and engaging space, helping to mimic his natural field behaviour!
1 Friends forever
Socialisation is an essential part of ponies’ natural behaviour, and lack of physical interaction can cause stress. Ensuring your pony can see others at all times when he’s stabled will reduce feelings of isolation.
2 The perfect reflection
A shatterproof mirror specially designed for ponies is a great way to give the illusion of a friend next door. Plus, most ponies are fascinated by their reflection! Just be sure it’s safe and securely fitted.
top tip
If your pony’s on box rest, speak to your vet before making any changes.
top tip
If you use a haynet, try hiding pieces of apple and carrot for him to discover!
3
Foraging fun
Ponies naturally graze for up to 18 hours a day and roam up to 20 miles in that time. So, being stabled makes a big difference to movement, foraging and browsing opportunities. So, why not place hay in different areas of his stable, and use different feeding techniques (for example, a hay net and a slow feeder)? This will recreate your pony’s natural foraging behaviour, increase movement, slow down eating and boost entertainment value – ideal!
top tip
Placing piles of forage in different areas of your pony’s field helps encourage more movement, too!
4
Pony buffet
In the wild, ponies don’t just eat grass, they browse on a variety of hedgerows, plants and shrubs! Copying this natural behaviour in your pony’s stable will provide variety in his diet, stimulate his senses and keep him occupied for longer.
Why not try gathering a variety of plants for him to pick through? Pony-safe snacks include…
• cow parsley
• cleavers
• hawthorn
• hazel
• blackberry
• rosehip
• thistle
• nettle
• dandelion
• willow
• peppermint
• rosemary
• thyme
