D+ TEST THEORY WORKBOOK

RIDDEN THEORY

What you need to know: (this is likely to relate to the pony you are riding)

To understand and describe the aids to halt, walk, trot, canter, and circles, and be able to

apply them.

Give a simple definition of a pony working forwards.

Be able to explain rhythm - evenness and regularity in trot.

HORSE & PONY CARE

To have some knowledge of care and working a pony at grass

Put on a saddle, snaffle bridle and numnah

Have some knowledge of correctly fitting tack (noseband, throat lash, numnah)

Know about elementary care of saddlery (daily bit washing; importance of clean girths,

numnahs and saddle cloths)

Catch a pony and turn it out in a field

Lead a pony in hand at walk and trot and turn correctly

Names and uses of essential grooming kit

Show how to use a dandy brush

Pick up and pick out feet

Know basic points of the pony

Know colours and markings

Be able to recognise stable rugs, turn out rugs, and rugs suitable for travel and hot sweaty

ponies

Name : New Forest Hunts Pony Club

Securely fasten the

headcollar.

Lead the horse correctly and

quietly to the field.

Lead the horse into the field,

turn him around to face the

gate and close the gate. Try

to keep hold of the gate

throughout.

Leave the field and securely

close the gate.

Check that the field is free of

hazards e.g. poisonous plants,

rubbish, broken fencing etc.

Match up the picture with the

description so it is all in the correct

order

Turning the horse out

Ensure the horse is facing

the gate before removing

the headcollar.

Bringing the horse in

Insert the missing words

Enter the field with caution, look out for other …………………

approaching. Place the head collar and lead rein over one shoulder

and walk towards the horse. Approach your horse at the

…………………….., using a soft tone to your ………………. to alert the

horse to your presence. Place the lead rein over the horses.

……………. and then fit the head collar. Leading the horse form the

…………… …………….. side, walk towards the gateway. Open the gate

with caution, avoid allowing any other horses to ……………………..

through the opening. Holding onto the gate, lead the horse through

the gateway, turn the horse around to face the gate and securely

fasten the gate. NEVER …………. towards your horse in the field,

make sure you are alert to your surroundings and make sure you are

holding onto the gate at all times, DO NOT push the gate and hope

that it will close by itself.

Escape shoulder horses run neck left hand voice

Label each of the grooming tools from the list below

Why do we groom?

From our discussions remember the reasons why we groom our ponies

What the pony at Grass needs….

Tick the correct answers….

A safe field

Rabbit holes

A hot water bottle in the winter

Fresh water supply

Enough grass

Barbed wire fencing

Company

Good Fencing (eg post and rail, or a good hedge)

Free from litter and poisonous plants

Shelter – natural or man made

Possibly a rug in winter

A gate that can easily be opened by your horse in case he wants to go for a walk

How to look after your pony…….

Check minimum of twice a day

Make sure he is behaving normally

Pick out feet

Check for injury

Check fencing

Check water supply

Check for litter

Check for poisonous plant

Why do you need to do all of these things? – write down or talk about at least one reason for each

Feeding

Horses in their natural state would spend most of their day grazing and taking gentle exercise

taking in small amounts of food at regular intervals. This is how nature designed their digestive

system to operate, as a horses stomach is very small for its size and not designed to cope with

large feeds. It is for this reason we should try to imitate nature as far as possible.

Horses thrive on routine.

roughage times Succulent often quality sudden 1½

hours

water exercise work

Use the above words to fill in the missing gaps.

Simple Rules of feeding

1. Feed little and ____________.

2. Feed plenty of _________________. Without this the digestive process is

impossible.

3. Make fresh ______________ available at all times.

4. Keep to the same feeding ______________ each day.

5. Feed good _____________ and clean forage only.

6. Feed according to the ____________ done.

7. Do not make any ________________ changes in the type of food or routine of

feeding. All changes should be done on a gradual basis.

8. Do not work a horse straight after a meal or when the stomach is full of grass.

Allow a good ________________after feeding before _______________.

9. Feed some thing _________________ each day

Label this horse with the points of the horse and check your answers with the answers on the next

page

Homework – find pictures of as many different colours of horse as you can (use an old magazine to

cut out and make a nice collage?)