Galop 1Knowledge
Contents
- 01WelcomeOverview
- 02Respecting the horseKnowledge
- 03Club, licence and FFEKnowledge
- 04SafetyKnowledge
- 05Understanding the horseKnowledge
- 06Approaching your ponyCaring for the horse
- 07Headcollar and knotCaring for the horse
- 08Brushing your ponyCaring for the horse
- 09Leading in handOn foot
- 10Parts of the horseKnowledge
- 11Basic coat coloursKnowledge
- 12The three gaitsKnowledge
- 13Mounting and dismountingIn the saddle
- 14The reins and the aidsIn the saddle
- 15Walk, rising trot, canterIn the saddle
- 16Saddle, bridle, tack roomCaring for the horse
- 17VocabularyKnowledge
- 18Revision and examRevision
Safety, on foot and in the saddle
A horse is never dangerous out of spite, but he is big, fast and easily startled. These simple rules prevent almost every accident; on exam day, you will be asked to state them.
In the exam programme
- State the basic safety rules to follow on foot.Common module B
- State the basic safety rules to follow in the saddle.Specific part
What to wear
- A riding hat that meets current safety standards and fits you, chinstrap fastened: compulsory whenever you are in the saddle, and a good idea on foot around horses.
- Sturdy, closed shoes on foot; in the saddle, riding boots or jodhpur boots with a small heel, which stops your foot slipping through the stirrup.
- Stretchy trousers and close-fitting clothes; no flapping scarf, no jewellery that could catch.
- A body protector can always be worn; it becomes compulsory for some activities, such as cross-country.
On foot, around the horse
- Warn him with your voice before you approach and touch him.
- Approach him at the shoulder, never from behind nor straight at the end of his nose: directly behind him and directly in front of his nose, he cannot see you.
- Never stand in line with his hind legs: that is the kicking zone. To go round behind him, stay out of reach, more than a horse’s length away, or, if he is calm, very close, with your hand on his croup.
- Don’t run, shout or play in the stable yard or near the horses.
- Don’t sit or crouch on the ground beside a horse: you could not get out of the way in time.
- Never wrap a lead rope or the reins around your hand: if the horse takes off, he takes you with him.
- Always tie him up by the headcollar with a lead rope, to something solid — never by the reins.
- Never leave a tied-up pony unattended.
- Close stable doors, gates and the school door behind you.
- Give no treats without the instructor’s say-so; if the answer is yes, offer them on a flat hand.
- Blind spot, just in front of the nose
- Kicking zone: pass well clear, or very close with a hand on the quarters
- Blind spot behind: never take it by surprise
- Stand at the shoulder
- Approach from the front quarter, talking
In the saddle
- Enter the school or arena only with the permission of the instructor or of the riders already there, and ride where you are told to.
- Keep your distance: at least one horse’s length between your pony’s nose and the tail of the one in front.
- Don’t cut across another rider, and don’t brush past when you overtake.
- Look where you are going and listen to instructions. If something is wrong — a lost stirrup, a pony getting worried — tell the instructor, out loud.
- Keep your reins in your hands: let them go only at walk, when the instructor asks you to.
- If you fall off, stay on the ground for a moment and let the instructor come to you; don’t run after your pony.
Remember
In the saddle, the golden rule is to keep one horse’s length from the others: behind the one in front, but also when you pass one coming the other way or overtake. The rules of the road between riders come in Galop 2.
A word from the instructor
A horse who stands on your foot isn’t doing it on purpose: he has no idea your foot is there. Sturdy boots save you having to point it out to him.