Have you ever set your heart on moving up a grade or even jumping bigger at home, only to be told you’re not quite ready yet? Whether you’re brand new to riding or are out on the competition circuit most weekends, the gap between your expectations (what you think will happen) and reality (what actually […]
Expectations – Are you being fair to yourself? Read More »
Q: Why do some people put ear bonnets on their ponies when they ride? A: Ear bonnets for ponies are designed to: If your pony isn’t affected by either of these issues, then you don’t need to invest in one, but if your pony is sound sensitive or seems bothered by the insects around his
AskPony: Ear bonnets Read More »
Q: Can leg boots make my pony’s legs get too warm? A: Unfortunately, yes, wearing boots on your pony’s legs during exercise can cause their legs to heat up, and if their tendons get too hot for too long, it can lead to injury. But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use boots at
AskPony: Can boots make my pony’s legs too warm? Read More »
We all want our ponies to be happy, but what can we do to ensure they are? The first step is recognising that ponies don’t have the same wants and needs as we do; ponies evolved to roam in herds and look for food 24/7, and these are the things that make them feel happy
Creating a happy pony Read More »
Having the confidence to go galloping is one of the most amazing feelings. Here, we look at the gallop and how you can perfect the fastest pace with your favourite pony. The gallop The gallop is the fastest gait a pony or horse can move at. It is a four-beat pace, and ponies can gallop
Perfecting the gallop Read More »
Ponies should have a diet based around forage. Forage includes hay, grazing, high-fibre cubes, chaffs, and even super fibres such as soya hulls and beet products. Without fibre, which is the main type of nutrition in any form of forage, your pony’s digestive system cannot function as well as it should. Energy from forage Fibre
Hay cubes and chaffs Read More »
By Shelley Wolhuter Sometimes you get a feeling in your gut that tells you something about your pony is off. There may be nothing obviously wrong, but your instincts whisper to look closer. Horses and ponies are excellent at hiding their pain or discomfort, for good reason. It is what keeps them alive in the
What to do when you think your pony might be ill Read More »
We’ve all been told in a lesson by our instructor to ‘half-halt’ but do we really know what they are asking us to do? Read more here
Whether you ride your pony competitively or just for fun, you want to keep him looking and feeling his best. Of course, exercise is a crucial piece of the health puzzle, but your pony must also get the ideal amount and type of nutrition. Here we look at the suitable types of feed for your
Feeding to build muscle Read More »
Taking an unconventional approach to training your horse By Skye Littlefield Alta van Niekerk is the owner and founder of Empowering Equine Training & Behaviour. She focuses on fixing undesirable behaviours in horses through the use of a holistic approach to health and training. We sat down with her to learn a bit more about
Empowering your equine Read More »
