Galop 2Knowledge
Contents
- 01WelcomeOverview
- 02The five sensesKnowledge
- 03Life in the herdKnowledge
- 04The mouth and mealsKnowledge
- 05Feed, water, mealsCaring for the horse
- 06Housing, catching, turning outKnowledge
- 07More coats and patchesKnowledge
- 08The legsKnowledge
- 09Three breedsKnowledge
- 10GroomingCaring for the horse
- 11Quick-release knot and bridleCaring for the horse
- 12Saddling, saddle careCaring for the horse
- 13Work on footOn foot
- 14Mounting, girth, reinsIn the saddle
- 15Going forward, changing gaitIn the saddle
- 16Sitting or light seatIn the saddle
- 17Figures and arena rulesKnowledge
- 18The first fenceIn the saddle
- 19Equestrian activitiesKnowledge
- 20RevisionRevision
Three breeds at your club
The programme asks you to name and recognise three breeds found at your club. Here are three breeds you will meet in a great many French riding clubs, and a method for identifying the ones in your own yard.
In the exam programme
- Name and recognise three breeds of horse or pony found at your club.Common module B
A breed is a group of horses or ponies born of parents of that same breed, which look alike in size, outline and ability. Each breed keeps a register of its births: the stud book.
Pony or horse? The height at the withers decides: in competition, the FFE calls a pony any equine measuring no more than 1.48 m unshod, or 1.49 m shod. Anything taller is a horse.
The Shetland
1.07 m at most. Stocky, short-legged, a thick mane and tail.
The French Riding Pony
Usually 1.30 to 1.48 m. Fine and sporty.
The Selle Français
Often over 1.60 m. Tall and athletic.
Pony · Scotland
The Shetland
The smallest: 1.07 m at the withers at most. Stocky, short-legged, thick-necked, with a very full mane and tail and small ears. Hardy and very strong for its size, it carries the youngest riders and goes happily in harness. It comes in all sorts of colours: black, bay, chestnut, grey, pie…
Pony · France
The French Riding Pony
Usually between 1.30 m and 1.48 m. A real sport horse in miniature: an elegant outline, fine legs, big, free paces. Bred from French pony mares crossed with pony stallions (Welsh, Connemara, New Forest) or Arabs, it shines at show jumping, dressage and eventing. You will find it in almost every pony club in France. Its French name is Poney Français de Selle.
Horse · France
The Selle Français
Tall, often over 1.60 m, athletic, with a long neck and powerful hindquarters. It comes from Normandy; it is the French sport horse, famous for show jumping. Bay and chestnut are its most common colours, often with white on the face or legs.
Recognising the breeds at your club
- Make a listAsk your instructor the breed of each of the riding-school horses and ponies; many clubs put it on the stable door.
- Pick three breedsIdeally those of the horses you ride or pass every day.
- Look closelyThe size, the build, the shape of the head, the length of the mane and tail, the usual colours.
- Remember two signsFor each breed, two details that let you recognise it at a glance.
Tip
Does your club have other breeds — Connemara, Welsh, Haflinger, Camargue, French Trotter…? Use the same method. In Galop 3 you will need to know at least three pony breeds and three horse breeds.
A word from the instructor
Nobody has told the Shetland it is small. Give it the same respect as a big horse — and mind your pockets: it knows exactly where the treats are.