RIDING CLUBS ROUNDUP Canterbury Riding Club Quote "We are thinking of incorporating HARRIS 2005 with SITE but will depend on how much support we get from fellow Riding Clubs" end of quote. South Island Clubs send your letters of support to P Q Box 16205, Hornby, Christchurch. Your support could be in the form of a team or just a person on the ground on the day, whatever, don't let this opportunity slip by. Selwyn Rakaia Riding Club Proposing a "Husbands Day" whereby non-riding partners would be entered by their spouses and required to perform a workout on the flat or over "jumps" or (gasp) over a cross-country course. Holding their Horse and Pony In-Hand Show in September, 9 classes. Strathallen Riding Club Making a donation of $500.00 to the Riding for the Disabled. Well done Strathallen, hope other Clubs pick up on the idea. Taupo Riding Club Visit to the Pirongia Clydesdales (www.clydesdale.co.nz). Included a tour of the stables and horses followed by a wagon ride through the streets of Pirongia. Also began the start of the Taupo Recipe Book .... Vegetable Frittata. (included in this RRU) Nelson Riding Club Stage three of the group vaccinations for Tetanus for horses. Sorry if I haven't mentioned your Club. It may be that I haven't received a newsletter from you recently or that you have been sending them to me via E-mail as an attachment. (Guess whose computer will not open attachments) (One item in this Club Roundup should be taken with a large pinch of salt.) |
IN THIS ISSUE ROSIE'S RAMBLES.............................click here RIDE REPORT - H.O.R.S.E.................click here THINGS TO DO LIST.............................click here ALL ABOUT THE MODULES..............click here RIDING CLUBS ROUNDUP................click here SADDLE FITTING..................................click here VEGETABLE FRITTATA......................click here KITTY'S REAR VIEW............................click here |
NEW ZEALAND PONY CLUBS ASSOCIATION INC. SADDLE FITTING (Article by Kay Hogan, BHSI - February 2001) 1. The saddle has to fit the rider and the horse, and be suitable for the type of riding to be done. 2. The minimum saddle size needed by most adults is 17" (48cm). Tall or large riders should be looking at 17.5" (49cm) or even 18" (50cm) saddles. Minimum seat width for an adult should not be less than 11" (28cm). This is to ensure the rider's weight is distributed over a wide surface area of the horse's back. Ponies or horses with short backs may need to be fitted with smaller saddles to avoid pressure on the loins. 3. When fitting the saddle do not use saddlecloths, pads etc. Have the horse standing on a level surface and initially carry out the checks without fastening the girth. If the saddle seems to fit, do up the girth, put the rider up and check everything again. 4. Initially place the saddle on the horse in front of the wither, then slide it back into the correct place on the horses back, behind the shoulder blade. Mostly saddles are fitted too far forward which restricts the movement of the shoulder. 5. From the side look to see if the lowest part of the seat is in the centre of the saddle. Too far back usually means the saddle is sitting too high at the wither and is too narrow for the horse. Too far forward usually means the saddle is sitting too low at the wither and the tree is too wide for the horse. 6. Check the channel is clear of the spine at the wither, under the waist and right through to the cantle. You will need to check these again when the rider is mounted. 7. Press alternately on the pommel and cantle to ascertain if there is any rocking. This means the panels will exert more pressure on the horse's back under the waist area, but have not connected each side of the wither or under the seat. 8. Some saddles appear to be quite secure when this test is done, so next check for bridging. This means there is a gap between the panel and the horse's back under the waist/seat area. Lift the flap and feel with your hand to see if the panel is sitting evenly on the horse's back all the way along it. If there is a gap, then the saddle will cause pressure points at the wither area and under the rider's seat. 9. From the front, check the panels adhere to the contours on the horse's back at the wither area. If the packing starts too low it will cause a pressure point on the muscles of the shoulder. If the packing starts too high and close to the wither it will pinch this area. Both faults will cause the horse pain, possibly to shorten his stride and lead to rubs and sore spots. 10. Once the girth is done up and the rider mounted, carry out all checks again. Also slip your hand under the panel at the point of the tree and get someone else to lift the horse front leg and move it forward and back. Any discomfort felt by you will also be felt by the horse. 11. A saddle that is slightly wide is better than one that is too narrow, in that correct training can encourage the horses back muscles to develop and fill out to fit. Initially a slim pad may be needed under the usual saddlecloth. The pad can be discarded once the shape of the back has changed. A too narrow saddle is more likely to cause the muscles to atrophy because of the constant pressure. 12. Fitting thick saddlecloths and extra pads to a well fitting saddle can be likened to putting on a thick pair of socks with a pair of well-fitting shoes - it makes them too tight. 13. Remember to check your saddle regularly and take it to a reputable saddler for at least a yearly check. Lumpy or unevenly stuffed panels will quickly cause a sore back. This article is from the NZPCA website: http://www.nzpca.org |
ALL ABOUT THE NZ RIDING CLUBS Inc. STAGE ONE MODULES. The `new' stage one modules were developed by the NZ Riding Clubs Inc. (NZRC) examinations committee. The national committee felt that a shift away from the then NZRC stages exams - horse care and riding and the phases exams -horse care exams was needed because: * These exams where based on the British Horse Society and British Riding Clubs did not reflect the methods of the horse care undertaken in New Zealand - i.e. NZ horses are mainly kept in paddocks verses the stable kept environment of European horses. * NZ at that time was developing new equine industry based qualifications under the then new NZ qualification authority. * That the times were changing and moving away from the `old style' examining to a much more `user friendly approach to learning and assessment was to become the new vogue. * It was felt that riding club members would be encouraged to try the new modules with this up to date approach. * The design of the modules would enable our riding club members to achieve the new modules not only in a more comfortable way but they would be designed in line with the new NZ equine qualifications to the degree that they could be used as recognised prior learning should a member wish to use them as part of an equestrian qualification. Many many hours of voluntary work were spent designing and producing the six modules which are: 1. Care for paddocked horses 2. Clean and care for gear 3. Prepare a horse for a ride and care after a ride 4. Grooming 5. General horse care and minor ailments 6: Ride a horse Riding club members, individual members and associated riding establishments could work for these modules one or two at a time and need not necessarily wish to do them all. Self paced learning shared with fellow members or as an individual member with practical tasks being demonstrated by an approved assessor who would return after a few weeks, in which time members could get together to practice, the assessor would return to assess. Questions could be written and sent to the assessor or asked at the practical assessment. The cost being greatly reduced the more members that took part. User pays but the more users the lower the price for learning and assessment. The assessors cost is an hourly rate for assessing and travel cost. NZRC have agreed with NZ Riding for the Disabled that either NZRC or RDA assessors could be used. The NZ Pony Club Ass.(NZPCA) Have recently launched a E learning computer program - mainly for older school children working in schools to cover the NZQA Equine Introductory Skills level 2. This covers the theory subject and now NZPCA are training assessors throughout NZ. It would be great to have access to these equine industry based assessors for the NZRC stage one modules this needs to be negotiated with NZPCA. NZRC has already delivered a 2 day assessors training weekend in Taupo and there are 4 NZRC assessors trained and ready to go. Working with NZPCA and RDA would give us the assessors we need to cover NZ. |
IN THIS ISSUE ROSIE'S RAMBLES.............................click here RIDE REPORT - H.O.R.S.E.................click here THINGS TO DO LIST.............................click here ALL ABOUT THE MODULES..............click here RIDING CLUBS ROUNDUP................click here SADDLE FITTING..................................click here VEGETABLE FRITTATA......................click here KITTY'S REAR VIEW............................click here |
RIDERS ROUNDUP for JULY/AUGUST 2004 |
Rosies Rambles At the AGM, and in the weeks following there have been a couple of resignations from people whom I wish to acknowledge. NZRC say farewell to both Kevin Lawrence and Jeanette Garrett from their roles as National/Chief Instructors. Jeanette has been one of the driving forces behind the NZRC Module concept as well as traveling around the country ensuring that members have been getting- the best possible value for their money at seminars/exams as well as teaching. Kevin has also been busy instructing and his name is frequently mentioned by the Canterbury Clubs, always with positive comments. NZRC wish you both well and hope you will now have some spare time to indulge upon yourselves. Thankyou for your involvement with NZRC. The Olympics are close to starting and I have still to get in my supply of blank video tapes as so many of the things are happening in the small wee hours of the morning. Of course I am jumping to conclusions that someone is going to be broadcasting the horse events..I mean, its not like the All Blacks are playing!! And of course the other big event, due in 6 weeks, is the birth of my new horse, so must have the camera ready for that. I just hope that when my mare does foal, the rains will have stopped or the foal, poor thing, will need to have webbed feet to prevent sinkage. (And maybe a float board too) The start of spring has been very wet. Oh yes its spring'. If you lived in Nelson you would know exactly what I mean, the pollen is on the loose. The pine trees seem to synchronize the release of their pollen and it flows like a thick bank of fog across the landscape. Everything turns yellow at this time of the year ...cars, water troughs, horses noses, clothing, saddlery etc. Nothing escapes. The days are starting to get longer, daylight saving will soon start and we will still complain that there are not enough hours in the day, nor weekends in a week. Happy riding Rosemary |
HORSE CLUB BEACH RIDE Sunday 11th July (Noeline Jeffries) Four riders turned up for the beach ride, (Gina Andrews, Annette Bardsley, Julie Mayall, and Diane Kearvell), plus Noeline who brought Granny for an outing. Alison brought along her dogs `Brandy' and `Jackie' and Noeline brought her little Jack Russell `Tess Wee Dot'. Alison had prearranged to pick up the key and unlock the padlock for the gateway which was our only access to the beach. This time no vigilante group arrived to send the riders on their way back home, as has happened in the past. After a cold crisp frost in the morning, the day gradually warmed up and with no wind, no windsurfers, no kites, not many people on the beach at that time, it was perfect conditions for a beach ride. The riders grouped together in a foursome and casually walked to the other end of the beach and back again. Diane and Annette went back again and eventually had a little canter along the way back by themselves, much to the delight of the few people who had gathered onto the beach. You could see their heads turning to watch them. It really looked awesome and they appeared to be really enjoying themselves. Gina's and Julie's horses were a little excited and nervous at first, however they were pretty good for their first time at a beach and eventually coaxed them to wade into the water. The dogs had a great time bounding around on the beach. Jackie kept darting off to every dog she saw in the distance to greet and hopefully play with. Tess was her usual aggressive self trying to attack the other bigger does but was soon lined up by Brandy who sorted her out. The energy that these dogs have is quite amazing, they never stop. The day concluded with us all sitting together for our lunch before everyone loaded up and headed for home. All in all, it was a great day for everyone including horses and dogs plus good exercise for those who walked. Granny McMaster enjoyed herself watching everyone from the car as she is not able to get around much lately without her walker. Its not often we get such a good sunny day for the beach ride at this time of year. Hopefully more riders will join in next time. |
Things to do list South Island Clubs: Write letter of support to Canterbury Riding Club re their hosting of SITE 2005. North Island Clubs: Write letter volunteering to host/co-host NITE 2005. Send the lettter to Helen Hansen. All Clubs: Complete Affiliation form and return to Helen Hansen Watch Olympics Keep sending me your Newsletters Have fun and enjoyment with your horses.! |
RIDING CLUBS ROUNDUP Canterbury Riding Club Quote "We are thinking of incorporating HARRIS 2005 with SITE but will depend on how much support we get from fellow Riding Clubs" end of quote. South Island Clubs send your letters of support to P Q Box 16205, Hornby, Christchurch. Your support could be in the form of a team or just a person on the ground on the day, whatever, don't let this opportunity slip by. Selwyn Rakaia Riding Club Proposing a "Husbands Day" whereby non-riding partners would be entered by their spouses and required to perform a workout on the flat or over "jumps" or (gasp) over a cross-country course. Holding their Horse and Pony In-Hand Show in September, 9 classes. Strathallen Riding Club Making a donation of $500.00 to the Riding for the Disabled. Well done Strathallen, hope other Clubs pick up on the idea. Taupo Riding Club Visit to the Pirongia Clydesdales (www.clydesdale.co.nz). Included a tour of the stables and horses followed by a wagon ride through the streets of Pirongia. Also began the start of the Taupo Recipe Book .... Vegetable Frittata. (included in this RRU) Nelson Riding Club Stage three of the group vaccinations for Tetanus for horses. Sorry if I haven't mentioned your Club. It may be that I haven't received a newsletter from you recently or that you have been sending them to me via E-mail as an attachment. (Guess whose computer will not open attachments) (One item in this Club Roundup should be taken with a large pinch of salt.) |
VEGETABLE FRITTATA (as provided by Jill at Pirongia Clydesdales) 1 pkt Maggi pumpkin & roasted garlic soup mix 1 cup milk 4 eggs, beaten freshly ground black pepper 1/4 tsp salt 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley 2 tsp oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 cup chopped courgette 1 medium potato, cooked and diced 1 medium kumara, cooked and diced 1/2 cup grated tasty cheese Combine soup mix and milk in a bowl. Add eggs and black pepper. Stir to combine. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add onion and courgette. Cook stirring for 3 minutes. Add soup mixture, potato and kumara. Cook over a low heat until the eggs are set but the top is still moist. Sprinkle with cheese. Then place under a preheated grill until golden brown. Allow to stand for 3-5 minutes then cut into wedges and serve. Yum Yum! ! Taupo Riding Club |
KITTY'S REAR VIEW Tips for tricking The Muvva into thinking you are a good floater: Always appear obsessed with the float. Stare at it constantly, taste test it, and assume amazement when another horse emerges from it. If you are fortunate enough to be left in the paddock with an open float, make sure you have an audience when you practise self-loading, which must be done at least 4-5 times a session, with an air of subtle concentration. Take any offerings of food for your cleverness with a lofty expression. On the day of the show or special outing, you will be correct to assume that The Muvva will be running late, quite likely fraught with nerves, definitely short-tempered and possibly hung-over. As horses are sensitive animals, this bad combination of vibes makes it perfectly reasonable for you to cower at the far end of the paddock (even better if it is dark and you don't have white markings). Some tasty treats and a gently soothing tone may convince you eventually to be caught. When it comes time to enter the float you would be right to proceed with caution, as floats can be hazardous to be loaded into especially if you are being hurried, or it is dark and you cannot see what you may be putting your freshly scrubbed hooves onto. If you are too frightened to proceed without some comfort food, make sure it is at least 60% molasses covered muesli, otherwise it simply will not calm your stomach. Straight chaff will have no effect at all, and carrots will depend on the quality and quantity. Once inside the float, quickly consider the quality of hay offered. If it is of a lesser quality you may have time to remove yourself from the sight of the offending hay before you are locked in with it. If you have been trapped, you may express your disgruntlement by wriggling, weaving, kicking or eating the hay from your float-mates haynet instead. Always assume a look of innocence upon your arrival at the event. Happy floating! Next time: How to trick The Muvva into thinking you have grown out of destroying things in the paddock. Taupo Riding Club |
