Galop 1Caring for the horse
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
Approaching your pony in the stable and when tied up
The first few seconds count: a pony who has seen you coming is a calm pony. Here is how to catch his attention, approach him, stroke him, change sides and move him away from you safely.
In the exam programme
- Catch the attention of the horse or pony in the stable and when tied up.Common module A
- Approach the horse or pony in the stable and when tied up, and change sides safely.Common module A
- Stroke it.Common module A
- Move it away from you.Common module A
In the stable
- Catch his attentionStop at the door and call him by his name, in a calm voice. Wait until he turns his head and ears towards you: now he knows you are there.
- Check it is safe to go inIf he turns his hindquarters to you, don’t go in: call him until he turns round to face you. If he lays his ears back or seems threatening, stay outside and tell your instructor. Go in when he is facing you or offering you his shoulder.
- Go in quietlyOpen the door calmly, go in without hurrying and shut the door behind you so that he cannot get out.
- Approach at the shoulderWalk towards his left shoulder in a gentle curve, never straight at his head nor towards his hind legs. If he stretches out his nose, let him sniff the back of your hand.
- Touch himLay your hand flat on his neck or shoulder, then stroke him. You can now put on his headcollar.
When he is tied up
A tied-up pony cannot turn round to face you. So arrive where he can see you, from the side, talking to him from a few metres away, then approach him at the shoulder as you would in the stable.
Stroking him
You stroke him — instructors also say you make much of him — with a flat hand, in a firm but gentle movement, on the neck, the shoulder or the withers, the way the hair lies. Avoid little pats on the end of his nose and any movement towards his eyes or ears: a pony who does not know you will not like having his head touched.
Tip
Many ponies love a good firm scratch on the withers: it is often the stroke that relaxes them most.
Changing sides
To go round to his other side, warn him with your voice, then pass behind him, out of reach of his hind legs, more than a horse’s length away: that is the safest route. With a calm pony who trusts you, there are two other routes: right up against him, your hand on his croup so that he knows where you are — if he kicks, he can shove you but cannot strike you full force — or in front of him, under his neck, never ducking under the lead rope: if he suddenly steps back, it snaps tight. Never pass behind him at half distance: that is where a kick lands hardest.
- The ring: the pony is tied up
- The safest way: out of reach, more than a horse’s length away
- Close against him, a hand on the quarters: a kick can only push
- The reach of a kick: never cross it, least of all halfway out
- Tell him with your voice before you go
Moving him away from you
To make him give you room — to get into the stable, to get past or to brush him — stand beside him, put a flat hand on his flank or shoulder and push with little presses, saying “over”, for example. Release as soon as he takes a step: that is his reward, and that is how he understands. If he does not move, don’t lean your whole weight against him: ask your instructor.
Safety
In the stable as when he is tied up, always keep a way out behind you: never let yourself get trapped between the pony and the wall.