Kirk Michael Riding http://www.kirkmichaelriding.co.uk Riding Schools and Horse Riding in Scotland Fri, 03 Dec 2010 10:58:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 10 Horse Riding Tips http://www.kirkmichaelriding.co.uk/2010/09/13/10-horse-riding-tips/ http://www.kirkmichaelriding.co.uk/2010/09/13/10-horse-riding-tips/#comments Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:34:52 +0000 admin http://www.kirkmichaelriding.co.uk/?p=9 Continue reading →]]> 1. Always walk the first mile away from home and the last mile back home: this ensures your pony is well warmed up before you start faster work and well cooled down before you bring him home.
2. Never trot or canter on tarmac roads. Any imagined benefit of hardening your horse’s legs will be negated by the very real damage done by concussion to the feet and joints.
3. Never put your pony away without washing off his girth area and around his ears. Dried sweat is a sure thiing to produce girth galls and sores, which will mean no riding unless you’re into bridleless, backback riding!
4. Clean your tack daily. For the reasons mentioned above plus it’s cost a fortune and has to last a lifetime.
5. Never hit your pony out of temper or worse still spite, best not to carry a whip if you can’t control yourself.
6. Never tie your horse or pony up to a solid object. Always tie to baler twine which acts as a safety break in case the horse pulls back.
7. Let your pony know you are about – don’t come up on him unawares from his rear, which he cannot see, and then be surpised when he jumps out of his skin and knocks you over.
8. If you are in doubt about your pony’s health, call the vet, don’t take a chance.
9. Look after yourself when turning your pony out with his pals, release him facing into the field alongside a fence which you can hop onto in a hurry if necessary.

Tip number 10 is really a valuable addendum of tips from the Farrier:
1 Catch your horse before the farrier arrives.
2 Wash off horse’s muddy feet before the Farrier arrives.
3 Don’t stable your horse on a dirty wet bed (especially deep litter) as amonia breaks down the horn.
4 If you want him to “just do an extra one” be sure you are happy for him to be late for you next time, when he is just doing someone elses extra one!
5 Please if you wish to oil your pony’s feet wait until after it’s been shod!
6 And lastly but most importantly, have the kettle on ready for the Farrier’s arrival!

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