Healthy Hooves & Happy Riders
A comfortable horse gives a young rider the best chance to learn, participate and enjoy their Pony Club experience. Hoof comfort plays an important role in how a horse or pony moves, responds and copes with different activities. When a pony is uncomfortable on hard ground, gravel, uneven surfaces or changing terrain, the rider may […]
Why Stressed Horses Shouldn’t Be Left Tied Up
Picture this: you’re at a rally, muster, competition or clinic. Horses are tied to floats and rails while people catch up, walk courses, gear up, spectate, or help elsewhere around the grounds. It’s a very normal part of horse sports. Some horses are perfectly happy to stand quietly tied up all day. That’s often a […]
Fuelling Young Riders: What to Eat & Drink on Rally & Muster Days
Rally days, muster days and Pony Club events can be long, busy and physically demanding. Riders might be catching and preparing ponies, walking courses, riding in lessons, helping around the grounds and spending hours outdoors in changing weather. Just like we think carefully about feeding and watering our horses, it is worth thinking about how […]
Three Checks for Correct Bridle Fit
By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equine Bridle fitting, much like bit fitting, is a relatively new concept to many riders. When I grew up in the 1980’s (notice how I avoided the use of the term ‘last century there?!) saddle fitting certainly wasn’t something we considered like we do now, and likewise, bridle fitting hasn’t […]
Make It Your Own: New Social Media Templates for Clubs
By PCA Marketing & Communications Manager Emma Le Grand We know that when it comes to promoting Pony Club in your community, local voices matter most. People are far more likely to engage with something that looks and feels like it’s coming from their own club, not a national campaign. That’s why we’ve created a […]
Understanding How Your Horse’s Memory Works
The horse’s memory is excellent, in some ways better than our own. Horses remember places, objects, animals and people very well. Unlike humans, they cannot reflect on memories or deliberately revisit them. Because of this, their memories tend to remain intact over time. Humans can reflect, reinterpret and revisit past experiences, which can lead to […]
Protecting Your Pony Club Journey: A Guide to Equine Insurance
Being part of Pony Club Australia gives young riders the chance to learn, grow, and connect with their horses and the sport. Whether it is a first pony learning the basics or a more experienced mount advancing through higher levels, your horse is central to your Pony Club journey. Protecting that investment is key and […]
Are Our Horses Fit Enough for What We Ask of Them?
When we think about horse welfare, we often focus on feeding, gear, or veterinary care. But one of the most important welfare considerations is something we don’t always recognise straight away: Is the horse actually fit enough for the job we’re asking it to do? It may come as a surprise that many performance horses […]
Welfare Wednesday: How Much Weight Should a Horse Carry?
At Pony Club, our horses participate in many different activities, and it’s important that we always consider their welfare. Research into equine biomechanics and physiology has generally found that most horses can comfortably carry around 20% of their body weight in total load. Total load includes the rider, saddle and all equipment, although this can […]
Hot Summer Ground, Happy Ponies and Riding from the Ground Up
Contributed by Scootboot, major national partner of Pony Club Australia. After a really hot summer, many Pony Club grounds across Australia have become dry, compacted and very firm. While our horses are strong and adaptable, hard ground increases concussion forces travelling up through the hoof and leg. When a hoof lands on baked or compacted […]