Equine First Aid Kit Essentials & Emergency Bandaging
Every Pony Club member should have a well-stocked horse first aid kit—whether at home, at Pony Club, or while travelling. It’s not only about managing minor wounds, but being ready to act confidently and calmly in more serious situations while waiting for the vet. To make it easy, we’ve created a downloadable checklist to help […]
Balancing Control and Softness in Jumping: Part 2
By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equine bitting specialist Last month we spoke about assessing some of the reasons behind wanting to move up to a bit with a stronger action for showjumping and cross country. Read last month’s article This month we’ll have a look at how some of these cheekpieces work. I’m just going […]
Social Media at Pony Club: Respect, Responsibility & Representation
Social media is a fantastic way to share the joy of Pony Club — from competition highlights to training wins, community moments and club achievements. But with this comes a responsibility to use these platforms in a way that reflects the values of Pony Club Australia. Why it matters Pony Club is built on respect, […]
Warm Up Arena Etiquette
Good etiquette is key to a safe and smooth warm-up for everyone in the arena! It’s essential to follow these rules to keep your horse, yourself, and others safe. Whether you’re competing or just practising, understanding arena etiquette makes all the difference. Here are some important tips to keep in mind: Check the Gateway: Always […]
Balancing Control and Softness in Jumping – Part 1
What to consider before reaching for a stronger bit in showjumping and cross country By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equine bitting specialist Bitting for jumping and fast work can often mean we naturally reach for a ‘stronger’ bit without always thinking through the reasons why. When we’re going faster and jumping we can often feel […]
Rider Safety Starts from the Ground Up: The Importance of Proper Footwear
Spending time with horses is one of the great joys of Pony Club—but staying safe around these powerful animals is essential. Whether you’re grooming, leading, or riding, following some simple safety rules helps keep everyone—horse and human—safe and confident. One of the most important (and often overlooked) safety basics? Wearing the right footwear. Why Footwear […]
Welfare Wednesday | Boots and Bandages: Smart Use for Safer Legs
Boots and bandages can play a valuable role in protecting your horse’s legs—but only when used correctly. While they offer support and defence against knocks, overreaching or brushing, they also come with risks if misused. This week, we’re breaking down the best practice for protective legwear, drawing from the PCA A Certificate Manual and recent […]
Understanding the Flight Response: A Key to Welfare & Training
The flight response plays a critical role in horse behaviour, training, and welfare. As horse trainers, it is important that we learn to identify this response and understand its impact. For centuries, the best trainers have emphasised the importance of rhythm and line—commonly referred to as self-carriage. When horses accelerate without being asked, whether under […]
Is Your Bit On Correctly?
By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equine bitting specialist. It’s a fact that we currently have more choice in the bits we use than we’ve ever had before. The increased knowledge around our horses’ conformation and how interconnected throughout their body they are means we’re able to bit to a very individual level. We’ve certainly […]
How to Warm Up and Cool Down Your Horse
In order to keep your horse sound, it is important to maintain a good warm up and cool down routine. Warming up refers to the initial work in a session, whether at home or at a competition. It allows the horse’s body to adjust to the work by increasing heart rate and circulation, helping oxygenated […]