PONY CLUB ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC
GUIDELINES FOR THE
SAFETY & COMFORT
OF THE RIDER AND HORSE
INCORPORATING THE
GEAR CHECKING MANUAL
January 2020
PCASA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL
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PCASA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL
January 2020
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* * REMEMBER * *
RIDERS NEED TO BE
SAFE TO RIDE
In order to
RIDE SAFELY
PCASA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL
January 2020
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FOREWARD
by
DR WARWICK VALE
BSc BVMS (Hons II) FEI Veterinary Delegate Honorary Veterinary Advisor to the PCAWA
(Past Pony Club Member)
Any Equestrian organisation that aims to produce a comprehensive instructional manual or handbook that offers its sport a template for improvement and development, must inevitably draw on all its resources and energy reserves. Manuals like these are essential tools in the training of officials in sports and also meet the mandatory requirements of good sport governance and risk management.
There are many difficulties faced in conducting such a project and these stem from a number of areas.
The successful integration of acquired wisdom, horsemanship and history with the elements of newer technologies/equipment, advances in equitation, more progressive coaching practices and better horse management is no easy task. The distillation of long practiced procedures and commonly held belief systems into a formalised and substantiated document presents a unique challenge.
The presentation of such complex sporting technical matters into readable material that is also an applicable educational resource for equestrian people of all types, both young and inexperienced through to those that are older and wiser is also a difficult goal to achieve.
The areas of safety, risk, injury, welfare and insurance all directly influence the governance and management of sports in these times, now more so than ever. The Risk Management plans of all sporting organisations are often addressed by the development of written resource materials. These are successfully used to reduce the risk profile in sports that by their inherent nature are risky for the participants. The riding of horses today can best be regarded as a high risk activity
by anybody‟s measure. Within the Pony Club movement, the modern focus upon Pony Club activities that are more “competitively based” in addition to the traditional “pleasure” and
coaching activities has also increased the pressure in this area.
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This manual is meant to be read by both the Pony Club equestrian novice and the Pony Club
equestrian “master”. Both will benefit from its readability, its accuracy in detail, and the
comprehensive approach that has been taken. It is a fantastic reference for the casual rider and those that compete with somewhat more passion and vigor. As such this manual must, in my opinion, be viewed as the standard reference that is still very much a work in constant progress and evolution.
It is my belief that a manual like this is long overdue and has immense value for the PCA movement across Australia. I can say, that it is my experience and opinion that this manual, is not only a cut above what is currently on offer, but it can also now define itself as a manual that will set a standard for equestrian sports development, training and management in the future for any equestrian group in the world.
I personally see the timely implementation of this manual as a core responsibility of the management team of the PCAWA and I congratulate them and the sport technical volunteers that have written this manual for their initiative and Herculean effort.
Dr. Warwick Vale
BSc BVMS (Hons II)
FEI Veterinary Delegate
Honorary Veterinary Advisor to the PCAWA
(past Pony Club Member)
This PCASA Gear Checkers Manual has been adapted from the PCAWA Manual. The Pony Club Association of South Australia wishes to express acknowledgement to PCAWA for the ground work and information provided in the West Australian Manual.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWARD............................................................................................................................ 4 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 9 INSURANCE ......................................................................................................................... 10 STIRRUP MEASURES.......................................................................................................... 10 A GEAR CHECKER'S LAMENT ........................................................................................... 11 TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OF ILL-FITTING GEAR........................................................ 12 UNIFORM & SADDLERY REQUIREMENTS FOR PONY CLUB........................................ 13 GEAR CHECKING AT PONY CLUB RALLIES, EFFICIENCY CERTIFICATES, COMPETITIONS etc. ............................................................................................................ 14
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
OBJECTIVES ...........................................................................................................................................14 ADJUSTING GEAR ..................................................................................................................................14 GEAR CHECKERS...................................................................................................................................15 RISK MANAGEMENT & SAFETY ............................................................................................................15 ACTIVITY ORGANISERS.........................................................................................................................16
QUALIFICATION FOR GEAR CHECKERS.......................................................................... 17
1. 2. 3.
WHY BECOME QUALIFIED?...................................................................................................................17 QUALIFICATION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE: ........................................................................................17 CRITERIA FOR QUALIFICATION............................................................................................................17
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR GEAR CHECKING......................................................... 18
1. 2. 3.
INSPECTION OF RIDER..........................................................................................................................18 INSPECTION OF SADDLERY .................................................................................................................18 INSPECTION OF HORSE........................................................................................................................19
GEAR CHECKERS‟ REPORT FORM................................................................................... 20 NOT PERMITTED AT ANY PCASA ACTIVITY..................................................................... 21 PCASA UNIFORM – RIDER - GENERAL............................................................................. 22
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR......................................................................................................................22 PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR – FITTING ...................................................................................................23 SHIRTS.....................................................................................................................................................23 LONG SLEEVED POLO/RUGBY TOPS ..................................................................................................23 TIES..........................................................................................................................................................23 PONY CLUB / ZONE V-NECKED JUMPER IN REGISTERED COLOUR/S............................................24 BADGE .....................................................................................................................................................24 JODHPURS..............................................................................................................................................24 BOOTS .....................................................................................................................................................24
10. LEGGINGS / GAITERS ............................................................................................................................25 11. CHAPETTES ............................................................................................................................................25 12. SPURS .....................................................................................................................................................25 13. JEWELLERY ............................................................................................................................................25 14. GLASSES.................................................................................................................................................25 15. GLOVES...................................................................................................................................................25 16. HAIR .........................................................................................................................................................26 17. MAKE UP..................................................................................................................................................26 18. BODY PROTECTORS..............................................................................................................................26
PCASA – THE HORSE or PONY - GENERAL ..................................................................... 27
1. 2.
HORSE/PONY..........................................................................................................................................27 MANE - SAFETY NOTE ...........................................................................................................................28
1. 2. 3. 4.
ABUSE......................................................................................................................................................29 WHIP - ABUSE.........................................................................................................................................29 SPUR - ABUSE ........................................................................................................................................30 BIT - ABUSE.............................................................................................................................................30
PCASA - SADDLERY - GENERAL....................................................................................... 31
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BRIDLE..................................................................................................................................31
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
SNAFFLE BRIDLE – PARTS................................................................................................................... 31 SNAFFLE BRIDLE - TYPES .................................................................................................................... 32 SNAFFLE BRIDLE - FITTING.................................................................................................................. 33 STUD BILLETS........................................................................................................................................ 33 BUCKLES................................................................................................................................................. 34
BITS.......................................................................................................................................35
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
SNAFFLE BIT – HOW TO MEASURE..................................................................................................... 35 SNAFFLE BIT - RINGS........................................................................................................................... 35 SNAFFLE BIT - MOUTHPIECES............................................................................................................. 35 SNAFFLE BIT - FITTING ......................................................................................................................... 36 KIMBLEWICK (Spanish Snaffle).............................................................................................................. 36 PELHAM & KIMBLEWICK MOUTHPIECES............................................................................................ 37 DOUBLE BRIDLES.................................................................................................................................. 37 CURB CHAIN ADJUSTMENT.................................................................................................................. 37 DUTCH GAG / PESSOA.......................................................................................................................... 37
10. BIT GUARDS ........................................................................................................................................... 38
1. 2.
FLY VEILS................................................................................................................................................ 39 Pollen Filters/nose guards........................................................................................................................ 39
1. 2.
NOSEBANDS - TYPES............................................................................................................................ 40 NOSEBANDS – FITTING......................................................................................................................... 41
NOSEBANDS WITH BITS AND CHAINS..............................................................................43 REINS ....................................................................................................................................44
1. 2. 3. 4.
REIN SHORTENING................................................................................................................................ 44 REIN ATTACHMENT............................................................................................................................... 44 POLOCROSSE/NOVELTY SNAP REINS ............................................................................................... 44 GRASS REINS......................................................................................................................................... 45
1. 2. 3. 4.
RUNNING MARTINGALE........................................................................................................................ 46 IRISH MARTINGALE ............................................................................................................................... 46 NECK STOPPER..................................................................................................................................... 47 REIN STOPPERS.................................................................................................................................... 47