'B' Standard - Horse and Pony Care

THE PONY CLUB

STANDARDS OF EFFICIENCY TEST SHEET 2007

The Test may be taken as a whole or in two parts:
B Standard Riding
B Standard Horse and Pony Care
These Tests may be taken on different occasions and in any order.

OBJECTIVE

To gain practical experience and knowledge of the care of a stabled horse/pony and of a horse/pony at grass
To look after these before, during and after the day's hunting or other activity

NOTE:

Candidates may be required to ride more than one horse.

Before taking the ‘B’ Test, Candidates must have passed the 'C' Test including the BHS Riding & Road Safety Test or Pony Club Road Rider Test.

The practice of bringing pressure to bear on Area Representatives, D.C.s, Examiners and other Pony Club Officials to treat as special cases those who happen to be using the Test as an Entry/Professional Qualification is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

HORSEMASTERSHIP

Knowledge of the care and working of a pony off grass and of a corn-fed, stabled horse and of exercising and getting a horse fit
Daily routine
Have some knowledge of stabling - ventilation, light, drainage, shelter and warmth
Know principles of watering and feeding and be able to put them into practice. Have a knowledge of the different items of forage
Know the articles of grooming kit and be able to use them
Be able to rug up and bandage correctly for stable and for travel and discuss types of rug, surcingles, tail and poll guards etc
Prepare a horse for travel and be capable of loading and unloading it in a horse box/ trailer having first inspected the vehicle for safety and road-worthiness
Describe a horse, recognising good and bad points of conformation
Know something of the structure of the horse's foot. Be able to name parts of the foot
Know the parts of the horse's shoe and different types of shoe
Understand the methods of shoeing. Know the names of the farrier's tools and their uses
Know when a horse is lame, sick or in poor condition, and know the most common causes of these ailments
Elementary first aid
Be able to carry out prescribed treatment of wounds, ailments and lameness
Organisation and fitting of tack room
Understand and discuss the fsmilies of bitting, characteristics, action and probable reaction.
Know how to fit, care for, clean, store, inspect for soundness and stitching saddlery, rugs , bandages etc
Recognition of various types of saddle and uses

READ
The following Pony Club Publications:

'The Manual of Horsemanship'
'Keeping a Pony at Grass'
Young Persons Guide to Eventing
The Scales of Training

Suggested Further Reading:

Grassland Management for Horse and Pony Owners - (BHS)

VIEW

Only those 14 years or over are eligible for B Standard.

The recommended age is 15/16 years.
Felt Colour - Brown

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