Pony club stable management!

Liloandstitch said:
Tbh even having been part of PC for nearly 3+ years I still don't really see the point in having to clean tack thoroughly after every single ride and having to constantly make sure the stable and pony are spotless! Yes I understand checking tack and keeping them clean/healthy but it is silly to think they do this on a day to day basis! At home I just work with making them fairly clean and safe whilst not ruining my daily time :)
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Grooming will clean the skin and also you are inspecting for injury before and after riding, and it is relaxing for pony after work. It is essential to get rid of mud and sweat, before riding and after riding. Grooming is a skill that has to be learned, and needs practice to do it properly and efficiently.
The tack should be inspected every day, and the best way to do this is to wipe it over after work, this removes dirt and sweat and makes the tack last longer as well. Maybe it is not necessary to thoroughly clean it, but if you are working at a professional yard you are expected to know how to do everything properly, it is a good idea that kids are shown how to do things properly. A bit of self discipline goes a long way with horses, and in life generally.
 
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Wow PC camp in England sounds like a lot of work! 😂 our camp is residential (only one of two residential ones left in the country I think!) so it's usually a case of falling out of bed 10 minutes before we're due to ride. Forget about any tack cleaning!! I must say I don't really see a point in oiling their hooves every day, does that make me mad? :P
 
Bonkers2 said:
Grooming will clean the skin and also you are inspecting for injury before and after riding, and it is relaxing for pony after work. It is essential to get rid of mud and sweat, before riding and after riding. Grooming is a skill that has to be learned, and needs practice to do it properly and efficiently.
The tack should be inspected every day, and the best way to do this is to wipe it over after work, this removes dirt and sweat and makes the tack last longer as well. Maybe it is not necessary to thoroughly clean it, but if you are working at a professional yard you are expected to know how to do everything properly, it is a good idea that kids are shown how to do things properly. A bit of self discipline goes a long way with horses, and in life generally.
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Bit embarrassed that I came accross that way lol! I do actually groom VERY well if I must say so I spend about 1 hour a day using every single brush in my box most days! I agree about the tack but unfortunately only get around to doing it once a week.. Oops!😁
 
Liloandstitch said:
Tbh even having been part of PC for nearly 3+ years I still don't really see the point in having to clean tack thoroughly after every single ride and having to constantly make sure the stable and pony are spotless! Yes I understand checking tack and keeping them clean/healthy but it is silly to think they do this on a day to day basis! At home I just work with making them fairly clean and safe whilst not ruining my daily time :)
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No one is saying that you should do this everyday, but you asked for tips on how to improve stable management so you can win at camp!
I certainly don't clean my tack every day or close stable door behind me every time i go into horse's stable, and I definitely don't oil feet before i ride - in fact I don't think I actually own any oil presently lol.

The only time I would fold rugs when putting on a horse is if I don't know the horse, it's young or I'm putting a rug on in a field. But i know how to do it which is important and pc taught me.

I did my AH a couple of years ago (it's the horsemanship part of the A test) and yes certain parts were very pc and the correct method (eg. Must always untie horse if looking at its mouth) but the whole point is showing that you know how it should be done - i know I don't wear gloves every time i lead a horse.

Knowing the "safe" methods of handling a horse and the correct stable management means that you can do those techniques if required eg. You are asked to look after a friends horse after a days hunting or she is away on holiday, but can modify at home with your own horse.

I don't strap, it's minimal grooming normally, tack is only properly cleaned before going to show, in fact bill was a hairy muddy monster over winter as I was at uni and didn't have time to keep him "show ready" when it wasn't necessary. However I take pride in my horse and he was washed, trimmed and tidied up (basically show ready) when i was taking him over to a livery yard.

But pick your battles - what you do in pc tests or at camp is emphasising that you know the correct way to do things. And it is showing that you are safe and competent to look after a horse. You don't have to do it the pc way at home!


Ets sorry that turned into A bit of an essay!
 
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Liloandstitch said:
Tbh even having been part of PC for nearly 3+ years I still don't really see the point in having to clean tack thoroughly after every single ride and having to constantly make sure the stable and pony are spotless! Yes I understand checking tack and keeping them clean/healthy but it is silly to think they do this on a day to day basis! At home I just work with making them fairly clean and safe whilst not ruining my daily time :)
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Cleaning your tack after each ride allows you to inspect tack for soundness, removes damaging sweat (salt) from the leather. Removes grease, that contains fine grains of dirt, again can damage leather. Feeds the leather keeping it soft and comfortable for your pony to wear. It's especially more important than ever now that general quality of leather is poorer than it used to be.

Your saddle is an expensive item, sometimes costing more than the pony. Look after it well and it will last a very long time.

Keeping your stable free of dung reduces the risk of foot problems such as Thrush. Prevents the need to remove stable stains from the pony because he lay down on a dung also means your rugs stay cleaner and don't smell disgusting. Reduces expense dung spread through a bed means you use more bedding.

Then finally is the matter of self discipline and pride in the manner in which you keep your pony.

Yes it may seem tedious and boring, but consider that once practised you can clean a bridle in a couple of minutes, it takes far less time to pick up a dung in a pile than one broken into countless pieces and scattered through the bed.

Once you actually work with horses and every minute of your time is precious you will understand why at Pony Club we try to teach you these things.
 
Aoibhinn said:
Wow PC camp in England sounds like a lot of work! �� our camp is residential (only one of two residential ones left in the country I think!) so it's usually a case of falling out of bed 10 minutes before we're due to ride. Forget about any tack cleaning!! I must say I don't really see a point in oiling their hooves every day, does that make me mad? :P
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I'm Iveagh - I'm sure you've heard of us :P
Our camps are fantastic fun, had a fantasic mud fight a few years ago at camp but we are still expected to have clean tidy ponies, plaited for morning rides (don't have to be in afternoon i think, it's been a while since i went to camp as a rider lol) and riders are expected to be correctly turned out. Huge camps (our branch is one of biggest in uk lol) but everyone pitches in and helps each other. Oiled feet are the finishing touch on an overall picture - just like how a hair net instantly improves the riders look, a long pony tail down back doesn't create a good picture and can be dangerous! :)

What branch are you in? :)
 
Oil is still pretty nasty stuff for feet though :p.

I don't brush mine much before riding though do lots of washing post but he appreciates his grease when living out ;).
 
OldNag said:
I work on the basis of what is best for the horses, and also my available time (normally very little) .
Having read this thread I am now dreading Csmp. We have only recently joined and this will be my daughters' first camp.

Apparently they must have been wormed within x weeks of camp. I worm count and only worm as necessary so I sm not too happy about this.

I don't like hoof oil and only use it if we do a show. I really don't want the kids oiling every day.

I can see I sm not going to be a very good PC mum! ;)
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Worming before camp is to safeguard ALL the horses and ponies. How would you feel when you did your next worm count to find your pony packed full of parasites picked up at camp because someone else has a lax worming program?

I think you would feel pretty mad that your own grazing is now contaminated.

TBH I've always wormed my horses after they've been to camp because of the inconsiderate people who's attitude is 'They won't know I didn't worm the pony as asked'
 
ester said:
Oil is still pretty nasty stuff for feet though :p.

I don't brush mine much before riding though do lots of washing post but he appreciates his grease when living out ;).
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It's noy Ester, especially if the pony is being stabled. Oil keeps moisture in when hooves live in dry conditions, and keep excess moisture out when in wet conditions.

Bet you use hand cream to protect your hands from varying conditions
 
Are the ponies sharing grazing? and if everyone is picking up droppings as frequently as suggested it really isn't going to be an issue - in this country at summer temperatures it takes about 3 days for an egg to get to infective L3 stage anyway.
 
No I don't use hand cream, even though they are washed pretty frequently due to laboratory work, they are better without.

We'll have to agree to disagree on the hoof oil front. Whether stabled or out and don't think it is of any benefit or the best thing to use if you must.
 
only_me said:
I'm Iveagh - I'm sure you've heard of us :P
Our camps are fantastic fun, had a fantasic mud fight a few years ago at camp but we are still expected to have clean tidy ponies, plaited for morning rides (don't have to be in afternoon i think, it's been a while since i went to camp as a rider lol) and riders are expected to be correctly turned out. Huge camps (our branch is one of biggest in uk lol) but everyone pitches in and helps each other. Oiled feet are the finishing touch on an overall picture - just like how a hair net instantly improves the riders look, a long pony tail down back doesn't create a good picture and can be dangerous! :)

What branch are you in? :)
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I'm in Muskerry in Ireland :) we are only expected to plait on the Friday which is 'show' day. The dress code is very relaxed for the week i.e clean pair of jods (any colour), tshirt and a jumper but we wear full show gear on the Friday as well :) to be honest, I think it's more about having fun and learning something. We don't have a stable management competition thingy at all, never knew there was one until I saw this thread! 😂
 
Tnavas said:
Worming before camp is to safeguard ALL the horses and ponies. How would you feel when you did your next worm count to find your pony packed full of parasites picked up at camp because someone else has a lax worming program?

I think you would feel pretty mad that your own grazing is now contaminated.

TBH I've always wormed my horses after they've been to camp because of the inconsiderate people who's attitude is 'They won't know I didn't worm the pony as asked'
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Sorry but I don't get this. If they have a <50 FEC what is the benefit of worming? Wormer resistance is growing problem and I do not want to contribute to it by worming when not needed.

I will do another FEC after camp, rather than worm when it may not be needed.
 
Tnavas said:
Once you actually work with horses and every minute of your time is precious you will understand why at Pony Club we try to teach you these things.
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Agree, I used to work for a Swiss showjumper who actually expected these Pony Club standards of his staff. Every day I had five full sets of tack to clean, and I mean clean, and dressed.
The horses beds were constantly checked, he was fuming if he found any bits of poo in beds, the horses were all groomed before and after work and then properly in the afternoon. I had all five stallions to do and I lasted a week. He was quite happy with the way the horses looked, but I was exhausted.
It takes a lot of work to keep stabled horses in top condition, but you also need to be able to work very quickly without skimping. I had no time to ride. I don't think we used hoof oil on a day to day basis.
 
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Oh I don't think pony club camp has much basis in reality at all. My kids absolutely love it though, they and the ponies are completely knackered and sloppy stable management comes back into play the minute they get home. I always think that its good to know that they KNOW how to do it properly even though they rarely tack clean other than for shows or events and normal grooming consists of a dandy brush and plastic curry comb!
 
Tnavas - did you teach me at camp!? Lol. I 110% agree with everything you've said.

Although it isn't apparently 'based on reality', I think PC is so important. Many people I know would have benefitted from it. They have no real understanding of proper stable management, the amount of people I know who don't kbiw how to bandage is frightening.

Pony club might come across as too much, but you never forget what you're taught!
 
Few things which my daughter has found helps get the tack and turnout points (she has always come in the top 2 or 3 in 5 years of camp)

a) don't take a grey particularly one that lies on its poo
b) thoroughly clean everything to the highest standard you can before you go including white socks
c) take a small tub of that Renapur polish that they do your shoes with at a county show, just use the sponge to wipe a bit of a shine onto your cleaned tack and your boots and chaps, looks then like you've spent hours oiling it
d) clean the underneath of your stirrups as that's one place they always check and often gets missed
e) take a damp cloth and run it over the pony's coat to remove any residual stable dust after grooming but before you saddle up
f) don't forget your own appearance including PC badge on the correct side!
 
muckypony said:
Tnavas - did you teach me at camp!? Lol. I 110% agree with everything you've said.

Although it isn't apparently 'based on reality', I think PC is so important. Many people I know would have benefitted from it. They have no real understanding of proper stable management, the amount of people I know who don't kbiw how to bandage is frightening.

Pony club might come across as too much, but you never forget what you're taught!
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LOL muckypony - Depending on how old you are and which club quite possibly! One camp was featured as photos in a 'Pony Book' I think a Puffin book, circa late 70's there is a picture of me putting red bandages on a pony. One of the camp kids Louise Delnivo had her photo on the cover of a publication which I have just gone to look for and its no longer in the bookcase! I guess loaned out and not returned.

It was based on reality though, it was what was expected of us grooms then - its just that times have changed and employment rules have changed, at one time being a working pupil was the best way to train, now with minimum wages and other rules employers employ fewer people to do more work. It was hard work but if you were in the right yard you learnt a lot. Each of us cared for three horses and three school ponies we groomed each stabled horse for 45 mins daily. Nothing was ever washed, except for stable stains on the greys.

Anyone in here who trained in the 70's would recognise the detail and hard work we put in. At the centres many trained in they had uniforms. The owners took pride in the immaculate yards. I did some of my training at Radnage House with Pat Smallwood FBHS, she was very strict and I remember the scurry of people if someone heard the backdoor open. Never, ever be caught not working, she was strict as, but such a lovely lady, I owe her a lot. The bell would ring and whatever we were doing we put down and as a team swept the yard spotless. The muck heap was packed and perfectly square. She had been known to tip out a wheelbarrow if there was too much clean straw in it, you had to muck it out again. Her explanation was until YOU were paying the bills you didn't appreciate that all the clean straw wasted money.
 
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Pony club camp is a life lesson; sometimes the little things matter.
Hair will be tied back between 7am and 7pm. (riders)
Jackets will be worn unless the DC gives permission to ride without.
Horses are made comfortable before riders go off duty.

Then when you want your daughter to wear a frock for Grannies birthday (and she doesn't want to), or the hamster needs cleaning out and she's tired the battle has been fought and won.
 
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