02/01/2026
Long Post
Why I run pony clubs instead of hundreds of lessons. Ethically it’s the right thing to do by my ponies and your kids 👌
My group lesson day is Sunday afternoon and thats the only day. 😅 So my own kids get a chance at real pony life with real ponies ✔️
Group Lessons is a taster of what all the hard work is for and often where we all developed the love of the partnership with pony respect for likeminded horse folk. It’s a great place to start and decide if this lifestyle is one you would like to live.
It’s no secret group lessons is the money maker. In then out send on your way 💸 . The kid gets challenged very minimally with simple fun stimulating exercises and proper coaching is restricted to safe for your level of participation and to allow the pony to be used for several lessons that week 😊
BUT…….
Guys let’s be real doing your rising trots once a week on an overused saintly riding school pony is not the sport. It’s the biggest scam in the industry your poor riding school bend over backwards to provide for you - it’s typical of society making things convenient for profit
Its a taster - a place to start
As most of us who own a horse know and understand
You will learn very little in just lessons about animal welfare maintenance and all the parts that actually matter to us pony lovers🥜 🫣
I have kids and adults come to me who have been in lessons for many years but have absolutely no idea how to read handle or care for a pony tack or equipment 🫣 and then they start all over again but the club way. The horsemanship way.
The consistent care is the tough part. But it’s also the most important part and why even my lesson kids get involved in it ❤️
In equestrian sports, the care of the pony element is fundamentally important because it directly impacts the horse's health, safety, longevity, and performance, while also addressing ethical obligations and public perception.
Unlike other sports, equestrianism involves a partnership with a sentient being, making comprehensive care essential for the welfare of the animal.
Here is why the care element is important and opens up so many other learning opportunities
1. Physical Health and Performance
Preventing Injury and Illness: Proper care, including balanced nutrition, appropriate hydration, regular veterinary check-ups, and dental/hoof maintenance, prevents minor issues from becoming major, career-ending problems.
Optimizing Performance: High-quality feed, proper supplementation (e.g., fats for energy), and tailored conditioning programs (like interval training) allow horses to perform at their peak.
Musculoskeletal Support: Regular maintenance by farriers and physiotherapists is crucial for maintaining soundness, especially in disciplines with high impact on joints and tendons, such as show jumping and eventing.
Recovery Management: Structured cool-down protocols, massage therapy, and cold therapy are necessary to prevent overtraining syndrome and manage muscle fatigue.
2. Psychological Well-being and Safety
Reducing Stress: Competition environments can cause stress, leading to issues like gastric ulcers or behavioral problems. Proper care involves creating a stable, secure environment and managing stress through turnout, socialization, and thoughtful handling.
Building Trust: A strong, positive bond between horse and rider—built through compassionate care—enhances communication and cooperation in the ring.
Preventing Behavioral Issues: Proper care, particularly turnout, reduces the risk of negative, stereotypic behaviors (e.g., cribbing, weaving) that often stem from isolation or confinement.
3. Ethical and Regulatory Compliance
Ensuring "A Life Worth Living": The industry has a moral duty to provide care that exceeds minimum standards, ensuring the horse's physical and emotional comfort throughout its life, including after its competitive career.
Regulatory Standards: Governing bodies, such as the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), mandate strict welfare standards, making proper care a legal necessity for licensing trainers and jockeys.
Anti-Doping and Fair Play: Strict regulations regarding medication ensure that performance is not artificially enhanced at the expense of the horse's welfare.
4. Safety for the Rider
Controlled Behavior: A well-cared-for, calm, and healthy horse is easier to handle, which directly impacts the safety of the rider.
In summary, the care element is not merely about maintenance; it is the foundation of a successful, ethical, and sustainable partnership in equestrian sport.
If this is you or your kids sport to give them the actual benifits of pony life send them to care for the horses - Because without the horse their is no sport therapy or understanding of the principles of being an equestrian 👌
