The grass is always greener

Riding on grass is great for improving your pony’s balance, co-ordination and focus. Unlike riding in a perfectly flat arena, your pony needs to think carefully about where his feet go, so he doesn’t slip or trip up. But riding on grass usually means riding in an open space, which can be a bit daunting. Here are our tips so you can maximise your schooling sessions every time.

Under investigation

Before you get on board and start schooling on grass, it’s super-important to choose and check the area carefully. Here are some things to remember…

• find a place that’s relatively flat – slopes are OK, but avoid steep hills
• check for mole hills and rabbit holes – you don’t want your pony to trip or fall
• good grass coverage – try to avoid areas with really long grass because it’s hard to gauge what the ground underneath is like
• hard, rutted or muddy ground – riding on these surfaces can be damaging to your pony’s legs and increase the risk of injury
• other wildlife – if you’re riding near hedgerows or woodlands, watch out for animals, such as birds and deer, because they might get disturbed which could frighten your pony

If you’re at a comp, you shouldn’t have to worry about this too much because the event organisers will have allocated a safe space for you to warm up and compete in. But always stay vigilant while you’re riding and look out for any areas that you’d prefer to avoid.

Sightseeing

Whether it’s your first time schooling on grass or you’ve done it a million times before, always allow your pony to have a look around before asking him to get to work. Ponies are super-sensitive to change and some will notice the smallest of differences to their surroundings. Letting him have a moment to take it all in means he can process it, then get in the zone.