“Oh, hang on! We forgot something!” Rosie suddenly exclaimed.
“What?” Alice asked lazily, feeling the warmth of the sun coming through the trees.
“We forgot to ask Poppy about a reward!”
“Rosie!” they all groaned.
At that exact same moment Dancer caught sight of a tempting leafy bush at the side of the path. She lunged, pulling Rosie so far out of the saddle that she slid head first down Dancer’s neck, over her ears, and landed with a thud, startling the other ponies. They dived in different directions, and before they knew what had happened the girls were all sitting in a messy heap on the mossy earth.
The ponies stopped a couple of strides away and stood looking down at them quizzically. Pirate stomped his hoof.
“I was only saying!” Rosie explained as she stood up and pulled Dancer out of the offending shrub, trailing great long leaves.
As Rosie turned round she was grinning from ear to ear, just like the rest of her friends.
The Pony Detectives had a feeling that this summer holiday was going to be the best one ever. And it had only just begun.
Rosie wonders why I’m so fussy about grooming, but, as I keep telling her, it:
helps get rid of loose hair and dirt
is a chance to check for any lumps or bumps
helps your pony’s circulation.
So, put on your pony’s headcollar and tie him up with a quick-release knot, then you’re ready to begin!
Hoof pick
Use a pick to scrape out stones or muck from your pony’s hooves. Start at the heel and move round to the toe.
Mane comb
Comb your pony’s mane and forelock nice and flat. (Impossible for Pirate!) A soft body brush is great for this too.
Rubber curry comb
Start grooming at the top of your pony’s neck and work back to his tail on both sides. A rubber curry comb helps to lift loose hair.
Dandy brush
A dandy brush is for getting rid of dried mud. It’s quite a stiff brush, so don’t use it on your pony’s bony or tickly bits.
Body brush
Gently brush your pony’s face, then his body. This brush removes grease, so don’t use it if your pony lives in the field all the time – he’ll need that grease to waterproof his coat.
Cloth stable rubber
Wipe a stable rubber over your pony’s coat to get rid of any surface dust. It’ll give him that extra sparkle!
Hoof oil
For special occasions, brush on some hoof oil to make your pony’s hooves shine.
MIA’S STAR TIP
Give your pony lots of hugs while you groom and tell him how lovely he is. It’s great bonding time!
Before you begin, tie up your pony with a quick-release knot.
1 Put his saddle on (gently, so it doesn’t flump down and startle him) then slide it back until it’s in the right spot.
2 Check that the numnah, which sits under the saddle, isn’t wrinkled – it’s not very comfy for your pony.
3 Fasten the girth. Check it’s nice and tight before and after you mount, or you might end up on the floor like Daisy!
4 Grab your bridle and stand next to your pony’s head, facing forwards. Hold the bridle about halfway down in your right hand and rest that same hand on your pony’s nose.
5 Use your left hand to guide the bit into your pony’s mouth. Be careful not to clonk the metal bit on his teeth!
6 Slip the headpiece over your pony’s ears. (You might have to stand on tiptoe!)
7 Do up the throat lash and then the noseband (8)
Then, when you’re all tacked up, give your pony plenty of praise!
Brush
A brush fence is made of rustic poles with upright twiggy bits.
Cross pole
The best fence to warm up over! Its higher sides encourage ponies to jump at the centre.
Upright
The upright has poles or planks positioned one above the other.
Wall
Gate
The wall and the gate are upright fences that don’t use poles.
Parallel oxer
This is a spread fence, made up of two uprights of the same height placed close together.
Ascending oxer
The back upright on an ascending oxer is higher than the one at the front.
Triple bar
Scout’s favourite! The poles in this spread fence get higher from the front to the back. Ponies can really stretch out over these.
Top tips for a clear round
Walk the course so you know which way to ride.
Warm up your pony, but don’t over-jump him!
Once you’re in the ring, wait for the bell before you start.
As you’re jumping one fence, look out for the next.
Heap praise on your pony as you ride through the finish!
A TEMPLAR BOOK
First published in the UK in 2012 by Templar Publishing, an imprint of The Templar Company Limited,
The Granary, North Street, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1DN, UK
www.templarco.co.uk
This ebook edition first published in 2012 by Templar Publishing
All rights reserved
Copyright © 2012 by Belinda Rapley
The right of Belinda Rapley to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
www.pony-detectives.co.uk
Cover design by Will Steele
Illustrations by Debbie Clark
Cover photograph by Samantha Lamb
This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
ISBN (ePub) 978–1–84877–844–3
ISBN (Mobi) 978–1–84877–845–0
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