Welfare Wednesday: What a Whip Is—and What It Isn’t
Understanding the purpose of the whip through science and good horsemanship In Pony Club, we’re here to learn, grow, and ride with kindness. That applies to how we use our voice, our legs—and our equipment. Let’s talk about the whip. What the whip is for: The whip is a training aid, not a punishment tool. […]
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 […]
Misapplied Behaviour: How Misunderstanding Horses Justifies Harm
“Horses often bite and kick each other during disputes” — this bit of reasoning has been the justification used for some of the most violent and inappropriate training practices of the last two decades. Ethology Ethology is the study of animal behaviour within the context of the environment in which natural selection acted to shape […]
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 Herd Instincts: Why Your Horse Needs a Social Life
Horses are deeply social animals. In the wild, they live in complex, cooperative groups — and those instincts haven’t disappeared just because our horses now live in paddocks and stables. Understanding and supporting your horse’s social needs is a key part of good horse management and an important welfare consideration. Horses are hard-wired for connection […]
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 […]
Help Shape the Future of Thoroughbred Welfare
Pony Club Australia is sharing an opportunity for members and supporters to contribute to a University of Sydney research study exploring support for a national retirement safety net for thoroughbreds. The study asks for views on how such a safety net could be funded and managed to protect thoroughbreds at risk of poor outcomes after […]
How Do Grazing Setups Affect Horse Welfare?
A new study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal has taken a closer look at how two different grazing setups—strip grazing and track systems—can affect the behaviour and wellbeing of ponies. As horse and pony obesity becomes more common, many owners turn to grazing restriction to help manage weight. But how does limiting pasture access […]
The Importance of the 3Fs – Friends, Forage & Freedom
At the heart of good horse management is a commitment to meeting our horse’s fundamental behavioural and physical needs. An article by World Horse Welfare reminds us of the importance of the “3Fs” framework – Friends, Forage, and Freedom – developed by equine behaviourist Lauren Fraser. This approach outlines the three essential components for ensuring […]
What the Research Says About Overfeeding Horses
At Pony Club Australia, we encourage all members to feed their horses in a way that matches their age, condition, and level of exercise. A recent scientific review highlights just how important that is—especially when it comes to avoiding overfeeding. The 2023 study Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses by Shannon Pratt-Phillips and […]