Wasatch Pony Club Ratings Prep C2
Conditioning
Standard: Measure and record pulse, temperature and
respiration of own pony at rest in front of Examiner
Part 1: Q & A
1. What is
conditioning? [Manual, p. 233]
It is
the process of getting a pony fit, so he can work harder without tiring
2. Why is it
important to know your pony’s vital signs (heart rate, temperature and
respiration?)
[Manual, p. 234]
Vital
signs are an important indicator of a pony’s health, fitness and condition. You
need to know your pony’s average pulse,
temperature and respiration to evaluate his condition and
to spot signs of distress.
3. Describe how
to take: [Manual, p. 234-237]
a. Pulse: Rest your
fingertip under the pony’s jaw bone, on the facial artery. Count how many beats
you feel in ten
seconds (using a watch).
Multiply by 6 to get the heart rate.
b. Temperature: Shake the
thermometer until the mercury is below 97 degrees, and grease with petroleum
jelly. Stand
to one side and lift the
tail. Push the thermometer 2/3 of the way into the rectum and clip the string
to the pony’s tail.
Wait two minutes, take it out, wipe clean and read.
c. Respiration: Watch the pony’s
flanks and count the number of breaths for fifteen seconds. Multiply by four.
Part II: Candidates should demonstrate measuring and
recording pulse, temperature and respiration on a pony at rest.
Pony Parts, Conformation and Lameness
Standards: Name five basic conformation qualities that you
want in a mount for your own use, and how they affect the basic
movement and soundness (i.e., sloping shoulder means longer
stride).
Name and locate on a mount the following unsoundnesses: ringbone, curb, bowed tendons, sidebone, spavin, navicular,
splint,
thoroughpin, sprains
Part I: Q & A
1. What is
conformation and why is good conformation desirable? [Manual, p. 313]
It is
the way a horse is built. Good conformation helps the horse to be stronger and
stay sounder, and certain conformation
characteristics aid or benefit a horse’s performance.
2. Name five
conformation qualities you would look for in a pony, and list the reasons why.
Answers will vary, but must
include a strong supporting reason for each choice. [Manual, p. 313]
Part II: Have candidates name all unsoundnesses
and identify location on cross-tied pony.
Unsoundnesses to include ringbone (pastern),
curb (back of hock), bowed tendons (along back of lower leg), sidebone (heels),
spavin (inside of hock), navicular (within hoof), splint (inside of leg, near cannon
bone), thoroughpin (upper hock) and sprains
(any
muscle). [Manual, p. 325-331]
Travel Safety
Standard: Be able to load and unload, with assistance, an
experienced, cooperative mount
Q & A:
1. What are the
steps to safely loading an experienced pony into a trailer? [D Manual, p. 225-227]
Lead
the pony straight forward into the trailer, praise him while your helper closes
the tail bar, and then tie the pony with a
quick-release knot or trailer tie. You may also load a
well-trained horse by putting the lead rope over the neck and standing to the
side while the horse walks up, fastening the tail bar
before tying the head.
2. What are the
steps to safely unloading a pony? [D
Manual, p. 227]
Untie
the pony. Have the helper unfasten the tail bar, and then back the pony out
slowly in a straight line.
Bandaging
Standard: Apply a shipping and a
stable bandage, under supervision of examiner, and give reasons for use.
Part I: Q & A
1. What is the
purpose of a shipping bandage, and what critical areas
must it cover? [Manual, p. 266]
A
shipping bandage is used to protect the pony’s legs from blows and stress
during trailering. It must cover the leg from just
below
the knee or hock to the ground, covering the coronary
band and heels.
2. What is the
purpose of a stable bandage, and what areas must it
cover? [Manual, p. 270]
A
stable bandage is used for warmth and protection in the stall, to prevent
swelling, and to hold dressings in place. It extends from
just below the knee or hock to just below the fetlock joint.
3. Name five
important points for safe bandaging. [Manual,
p. 272-273]
Squat,
never sit or kneel; clean the legs before bandaging; make sure there is sufficient
padding and that the padding is smooth and
distributed evenly; wrap snugly enough to just fit two fingers
underneath the bandage; don’t bind bandages over joints; bandage
evenly, without loose folds or extra pressure from
fasteners.
Part II: Candidates demonstrate applying a shipping and
stable bandage, under supervision of
Examiner
Turn Out/Tack
Standards: Attire to be correctly formal or informal, as
designated by the DC.
Mount to show thorough grooming, with attention to mane and
tail, reflecting regular care.
Tack to be safe, clean, with metal polished,
and well adjusted, reflecting regular care.
Explain reasons for equipment used on own mount for flat
work and over fences.
Q & A:
1. List and
explain the reasons for equipment used on your pony for flatwork and over
fences.
Answer to include bridle with
noseband, bit and reins; saddle, stirrups, any special pads; martingale or
breastplate;
and boots or bandages. [Manual, p. 180]
Nutrition
Standard: Describe own mount’s ration when developing
fitness, maintaining fitness, taking a day off, sick, roughed out.
Q & A:
1. Describe your
pony’s ration for these situations and explain why. [Manual, p. 201-208]
a. Developing fitness Increase in
concentrates for more energy
b. Maintaining fitness
Basic ration
for maintaining present fitness
c. Taking a day off Cut back on grain
to prevent azoturia, or tying up
d. Sick Consult vet before
feeding anything
e. Roughed out Decrease grain
gradually to maintenance level
Stable Management
Standards: Describe caring efficiently and economically
when:
Stabled - feed and water schedule, minerals needed, clothing,
exercise, grooming
At grass – safety check of pasture, fencing, water, mineral supply,
shelter, feed and grooming
Discuss knowledge of safety measures, preparation and care
of mount and equipment on day of strenuous work, including feeding
schedule, consideration of mount’s condition, consideration of
climate and terrain; cooling out, treatment of any injuries, and
making mount comfortable.
Discuss pasture safety and fencing
Name three toxic plants in your area and describe
appearance
Q & A
1. Describe how
to care for a pony efficiently and economically when stabled as to:
a. Feed, water and
minerals - Stabled
ponies should be fed two or three times a day, with grain in the morning and
evening,
and should receive hay at
least twice a day. They should always
have fresh, clean water available, and free access to
salt.
b. Clothing – A pony may need a
blanket or sheet to keep warm, but must always be changed to the appropriate
one for the
temperature. They
must be kept smooth and properly adjusted, and a turnout rug is necessary for
outdoors.
c. Exercise – A stabled pony
must have exercise daily, at least an hour of turnout or riding time.
d. Grooming – A stabled pony
needs daily grooming to stimulate circulation as well as to clean the grease
and scurf from his
coat, and to spread the skin
oil to make the coat shine. [Manual, p. 155-163]
2. Describe a
safety check of the pasture: [Manual,
p. 164]
Fence
must be safe, strong and easy to see. Pasture must be free of dangerous trash
such as nails, bottles and other hazards, and
poisonous plants. Pastures should not have sharp
corners where a pony could be trapped by another pony. Telephone guy wires
should
be fenced off.
3. List the
advantages and disadvantages of these fencing materials: [Manual, p. 164 – 165]
Advantages Disadvantages
a. Wooden Safe, easy to see
Expensive, chewable
b. Plastic Safe, easy to see,
not chewable Expensive
c. Metal pipe Safe, not
chewable, long-lasting Expensive
d. Wire mesh Safe if not hog
wire Needs a wooden rail to keep from sagging when
ponies lean on it
e. Electric fence Inexpensive Less
secure, must be checked daily
f. Barbed wire Inexpensive Not
suitable for horses
4. Discuss the
daily care of a pony at grass in regard to: [Manual, p. 164-172]
a. Water, feed and
minerals – Fresh
water must be available at all times from a flowing stream or a clean horse
tank, not a
stagnant pond. Pony will need
supplementary feeding when there is not sufficient nutrition in the grass and
when being ridden
regularly; hay may be fed
from a feeder off the ground or in stations 30’ apart, but grain should be fed
separately if possible.
A salt block should always be available.
b. Shelter – Ponies need a safe
run-in shed or a wind break of trees or bushes.
c. Grooming – Pasture ponies do
not need as much grooming as stabled ponies because they need the natural oils
in their coat
to keep warm, but should be
checked daily for injuries, ticks and bot eggs, and
should have their feet picked out. They should
be brushed before riding.
5. Discuss the
care of a pony on a day of strenuous work in regard to: [Manual, p. 245-249]
a. Safety – Be sure the pony
is in condition for the event. Wrap legs for trailering,
and follow safe stable management
procedures at
the show grounds (check for nails and hazards in a stall, etc). Warm up
gradually, check over tack carefully,
and keep a safe distance
from other ponies. Keep the pony’s welfare first and foremost in mind and pull
out if he shows
any signs of distress. Cool
him out properly and check for injuries when finished.
b. Preparation – Begin conditioning
and training for the event 2-3 months ahead of time. Have all tack repairs done
well in
advance, and plan for your horse
to receive any necessary farrier care/immunizations
taken care of. The day before the event,
exercise pony lightly, and devote
the rest of the day to grooming, cleaning and checking tack, packing equipment
and readying
the trailer.
c. Care of equipment –
Take good
care of tack and arrange for any repairs at least a week before the event.
Clean thoroughly
the day before. Make up an
equipment checklist to be sure you remember to pack everything, and keep
everything organized
during the event. Check your
tack throughout, and clean tack at the end of the day.
d. Feeding schedule – Plan a long range
feeding schedule to go with the conditioning schedule. On the day of the event,
feed
early so pony can digest his
meal before exercise. Have hay and water available at the event, but limit
water intake to a few sips
every few minutes while
cooling out. Wait to feed grain until pony is completely cooled out.
e. Consideration of
pony’s condition – Don’t work longer or faster than he is used to.
Watch for signs of tiring or distress, and ease up
on him if needed.
f. Consideration of
climate and terrain – In hot or humid weather, deep footing or on hilly terrain, slow down
and rest your pony
whenever possible. Be prepared to
pull up if he gets too tired. In cold, wet or windy weather, keep moving and
cover the pony
whenever possible.
g. Cooling out – Ease up slowly,
dismount as soon as possible, loosen girth and noseband and walk pony until his
breathing
returns to normal. Untack, and sponge/rub down your pony, depending on the
weather. Continue walking and offering a few
sips of water at a time until
pony is completely cooled out. Do not cover a pony in hot weather!
h. Treatment of
injuries – Check
pony carefully for injuries, especially hooves and legs, and treat immediately.
Check right after
the event, before leaving
for the night and again the next day.
i. Making pony
comfortable – Make
sure the pony is properly cooled out and let him loose in a stall to roll and
to urinate. If he
is still damp and the
weather is cool, cover with an anti-sweat sheet. Offer hay and water. Pony can
be turned out when
completely cool
and dry.
6. Name three
toxic plants in your area and describe appearance. [C Manual, p. 168-170]
Answers
will vary, but will likely be found in the list of most common toxic plants for
horses:
Yew,
Oleander, Rhododendron, Azalea, Ragwort, Poison
Hemlock, Horsetail, Wild Black
Cherry, Red Maple, Black Nightshade or Horse Nettle, Yellow Star or
Thistle and Bracken Fern.
Health Care and Veterinary Knowledge
Standards: List annual immunizations and health
requirements appropriate for your area
List prevalent internal parasites in your
area.
Describe routine parasite prevention for your mount.
Describe how tetanus and strangles are transmitted.
Explain the need for the regular care of teeth.
Q & A
1. List the
immunizations and health requirements for your area. [C Manual, p. 206]
Answers
will vary – ask your vet.
2. List the most
prevalent internal parasites for your area. [C Manual, p. 209-210]
Answers
will vary – ask your vet.
3.
Describe the routine parasite prevention for your pony, and why. [C Manual, p. 210-211]
Individual
answers will vary; check against Health & Maintenance book for accuracy
4. Describe these
diseases and how they are transmitted: [C
Manual, p. 216-217]
a. Tetanus – is caused by
clostridium tetrani, a bacteria
that grows where there is no oxygen. In a puncture wound, tetanus
is carried deep into the
body where there is no oxygen and the bacteria reproduces, giving off “Tetanus
toxin” which attacks
the nerves and causes spasms
of the jaw and other muscles.
b. Strangles – respiratory
infection cased by streptococcus equi bacteria. It is
spread by mucus from one horse to another.
A pony is at highest risk for strangles in an area where
there are lots of other ponies, such as a sale or horse show. A pony
with strangles will not eat,
cough, have a fever and runny nose, and the lymph nodes will swell and drain.
5. Explain the
need for regular care of teeth. [C
Manual, p. 211 – 212]
Teeth
are essential for proper chewing so a pony can get the nutrition from the food
he needs to stay in condition and to be comfortable
with his bit. As the teeth grind together, they wear
down the surface of the tooth and form sharp hooks on the edges. These will
cause
a pony discomfort when chewing and when being
bridled, and he may lose weight. Your pony’s teeth should be checked by the vet
every six months for sharp edges that need floating.
Shoeing
Standard: Recognize and describe good and bad shoeing.
Q & A
1. Describe the
signs of good shoeing. [C Manual, p.
255-257]
The
angle of the hoof matches the angle of the pastern; clinches are smooth and
even; the shoe is made to fit the hoof and is the right
size; hoof is not rasped exceedingly; frog touches the ground
2. Describe the
signs of poor shoeing. [C Manual, p.
255-257]
The
angle of the hoof and pastern do not match; shoe is too small; toe is dumped
(rasped to fit the shoe); clinches rough and uneven,
excessive rasping which removes the hoof wall; frog
does not touch the ground
Longeing
Standards: Longe own mount for
exercise in an enclosed area with assistance.
Discuss methods, equipment, and safety precautions for longeing.
Q & A
1. What is longeing and what are its uses? [C Manual, p. 279]
Longeing is a form of controlled exercise for the pony
carried out on the ground. It is useful for exercising a pony when he can’t be
ridden, settling an energetic pony before riding and in training
a pony to be attentive to voice commands and body language.
2. List the longeing equipment needed for pony: [C Manual, p. 281-285]
Longe line, longe whip, longe cavesson and/or snaffle
bridle, leg protection, saddle or surcingle, side
reins (optional; only for those
with experience in longeing)
3. List the longeing equipment needed for the rider: [Manual, p. 281]
Gloves, boots, safety helmet, and watch.
4. List the
safety rules for longeing: [Manual, p. 287]
Longe in an enclosed area; use proper dress and
equipment; get training and practice before trying to longe
a pony; hold the excess
line in folds; stay out of kicking range; longe on a full 30’ circle; handle the whip correctly and
quietly.
5. Explain the
following voice commands for longeing: [Manual, p. 288]
a. Upward transition –
“
b. Downward transition
– “Aaand walk,” dropping voice at end.
c. To move pony out on
circle – “Ouut,” spoken firmly.
d. To praise pony – “Goood,” praise
immediately when a command is performed.
e. To reprimand pony –
“NO,” spoken
sharply and instantly when required.
6. What are two ways of holding the longe
line, and how should you hold the excess? [Manual, p. 289]
You
can hold the longe line in a driving hold, with the
rein coming out of the top of the hand, or a riding hold, with the rein coming
out between the ring and pinky as in riding. Extra longe line should be folded, never looped, in the other
hand.
7. Where should
you longe? [Manual,
p. 281]
In a
60’ round longeing ring, or
at the end or the corner of an arena, where the footing is good and no one is
riding.
8. Explain how to
use the whip: [Manual, p. 292-293]
Hold
the whip close to the ground, rotating in a forward motion. Flick towards the
hocks for a stronger forward motion, flick
forward and up at belly landing in area of rider’s
leg for more emphasis, and crack the whip to call for immediate forward motion
only when necessary. Point towards
the shoulder to ask to move out on circle. Move in front of the longe line to ask to slow down
or stop. Tuck the whip under your arm with lash
caught up when approaching pony.
9. Explain where
to position your body when longeing: [Manual, p. 294-295]
You
should form a triangle of control with the longe
line, the pony and the whip, with you standing at the apex of the triangle just
behind the pony’s shoulder. Moving back towards the pony’s
hip causes him to go faster, and moving forward towards his head
will cause him to slow down.
10. Explain how
to longe a trained pony: [Manual, p. 296-297]
a. To start – Stand by left
shoulder with whip pointing backwards and say “Walk On,” feed out the longe and say “Ouut,”
until he is out on the circle
in the triangle of control.
b. To stop – Give a low and
quiet “and Whoa,” and step towards his shoulder.
c. To trot – Say “TrrROT” or “
d. To change direction
– Stop the
pony and tuck the whip under your arm with point behind you. Go out to pony and
lead
him in a reverse, change the
longe line if necessary and switch your longe line and whip. Start over.
e. To canter – Use voice command
for “CanTER,” and use whip by tapping on ground or
flicking at hock. Only canter on
the longe
if the pony is responsive and obedient at a walk and trot, well-balanced and
fit, and only canter for short periods of time.
Teaching
Standards: Assist a D1 and/or D2 to prepare for turnout.
Candidate must bring a letter from DC stating that they are
assisting in simple unmounted instructional programs
for D-level
Pony Club members with supervision.
Q & A:
1. What are some
pointers to helping younger Pony Clubbers to prepare for turnout inspection?
Set a
good example and be positive and encouraging. Demonstrate skills and assist in
carrying things that are too heavy and
grooming places they can’t reach, but let them do
their own work.
Tell
them what is expected at an inspection, and explain why it is important.
Encourage them to ask questions and give praise.
Keep
safety foremost in mind, and don’t expect them to present a C2 level turnout.
2. What are some ways in which you might be asked to help
during an unmounted lesson?