Broken Hill Pony Club Inc.

18/10/2024

Sorry had to make up the show bags they are ready now. Will have them at Outback Whips and leather for collect till 1 otherwise contact me to collect at a later stage 🙂

14/10/2024

Equiade Showbags have just arrived will be in contact soon to arrange collection..

19/09/2024

Contact the The Flying Vet on 0408653232 to book this great service today :)

The Flying Vet is a mobile veterinary and livestock health consultancy service for far West NSW

15/09/2024

Just wanted to give a huge shout out to all the behind the scenes support by our wonderful committee and the horse husbands who got behind the club for the lead up and on the day of the Silver City Show Horses in action program.
Without you all, things like this wouldn’t happen.
Thank you again!
Also massive thank you to all sponsors, judges and competitors for making it an amazing day!

12/09/2024

Thank you DANNS of Broken Hill

12/09/2024

Hello!
Please see below the time table for Saturdays show.
We have adjusted some rings so a few riders can ride in two rings.
Looking forward to a great day. Please make sure you are ready for when your ring starts.

12/09/2024

Thank you!

09/09/2024

We wish to thank the following sponsors for the upcoming Silver City Show - Horses in action program (more to come)
Without people/business like yourself we wouldn’t be able to host this wonderful event!
Thank you.
Silver City Show

07/09/2024

Hi riders here are the patterns for the Western Ring Ring 2 on Saturday 14th
Silver City Show

04/09/2024

1 week left to do your nominations. Please get your nominations in ASAP. Wednesday 11th September we wont be excepting nominations.
If you can get into the show office contact Kim Norley at [email protected].
Silver City Show

04/09/2024

𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 🥕

One of the most valuable tools in a rider’s toolkit is reward training. This technique helps reinforce the behaviours you want your horse to repeat by offering something they enjoy—like a carrot or a good scratch—immediately after they do something right. For example, if your horse calmly loads onto the float, rewarding him with a scratch on the neck can encourage this calm behaviour in the future.

Timing is everything when it comes to reward training. To make it effective, the reward must be given immediately after the desired behaviour. Think of it like catching the correct behaviour in a net—if you throw the net too late, you’ll end up catching something else entirely. For instance, if you want to reward your horse for standing still while you mount, you need to give the reward as soon as you’re in the saddle. If you wait until you’ve walked away from the mounting block, you’ll inadvertently be rewarding the act of walking away instead.

In some situations, it can be challenging to deliver the reward at the exact right moment. Take, for example, rewarding your horse for taking the correct lead at canter—timing your reward perfectly would be tough. This is where a conditioned reinforcer comes into play. A conditioned reinforcer is a sound or word that you’ve linked to a reward, allowing you to reward your horse precisely at the right moment, even if the actual reward comes a bit later.

To create a strong connection between the sound or word and the reward, consistency is key. If you choose to use the word “good,” say it just before giving your horse a treat or a scratch. After repeating this many times, your horse will start to associate the word with a reward, turning to you in anticipation whenever he hears it. Be sure to say the word the same way every time—variations in tone or additional words can confuse your horse and weaken the reinforcement.

Remember, your horse doesn’t understand the meaning of the word; they just learn that the sound signals something pleasant is coming. You could use any word—like “fish” or “bicycle”—and as long as you consistently pair it with a reward, your horse will recognize it as a cue for something positive.

Over the next week, aim to reinforce your horse 10-15 times each day during handling and riding. Whether it’s for standing still while being groomed or making a smooth downward transition, say your chosen word and follow it up with a reward like a scratch or stroke. Continue rewarding until your horse shows a response. Soon enough, your horse will hear the word and anticipate the reward.

You can use your conditioned reinforcer anytime your horse does something you want to see more of. For example, if he jumps the first element of a spooky double nicely, use your conditioned reinforcer and reward him once he’s completed both jumps. This method allows you to reward your horse precisely when he gets it right.

By the end of the week, you should have established a strong conditioned reinforcer that will help you communicate more effectively with your horse, making training more enjoyable for both of you.

📸 pic via Forbes Pony Club, NSW

30/08/2024

Silver City Show FULL Program! Novelties had been missed during printing.
Saturday the 14th of September.
Attached is the Actual updated Nomination Form, Can email if needed.
Nominations are to be put in at the show office.
Looking forward to a great day.
Please speak to the Pony Club Committee of needing any help.
Silver City Show

27/08/2024

Please share!
Entry forms available from the show office. Can be emailed if need be.
Let’s support our local show and our pony club. We are still searching for sponsors for this Horses In Action program. Reach out to Kime Norley if you are able to help in anyway! :)

19/08/2024

Broken Hill Pony Club along with Equinade are running an amazing fundraiser together.
This is a great way to try their amazing products along with supporting our fantastic Club.
This fundraiser will run from 19th August to the 8th September so be quick and get your orders in today.
For more information or to place an order you can contact Kim Norley.

13/08/2024

🌿 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 🌿

As spring approaches and the days start getting longer and warmer, it’s time to think about how we care for our horses in this transitional season. One of the key areas to consider is rugging—particularly, the risk of over-rugging as the temperature rises.

🌡️ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Horses are incredibly efficient at regulating their body temperature. While we might reach for a jumper as soon as the temperature drops, our horses are quite comfortable in conditions that would make us shiver. The key to this is understanding a horse’s thermoneutral zone (TNZ), which is the temperature range within which they can maintain their body temperature without expending extra energy.

For humans, the TNZ is around 25-30°C, but for horses, it’s significantly lower—between 5-25°C. This means that what feels chilly to us might be perfectly comfortable for them. It’s essential to remember this difference as the weather warms up in spring, particularly when deciding whether to rug your horse.

🌡️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲

During the cooler months, we often rug our horses to protect them from cold, wet, and windy weather. However, as the temperatures rise in spring, it’s easy to fall into the trap of continuing to rug our horses too heavily, which can lead to overheating.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

▪️ 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: The best place to check if your horse is too warm is just behind their withers. If this area feels hot or damp, your horse is likely overheating under their rug. Avoid using their ears or legs to gauge temperature, as these areas don’t give an accurate indication of their core warmth.

▪️ 𝗕𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝘀: It’s tempting to think a light rug is harmless, but even these can block the natural cooling process. Horses cool down by sweating, but this only works if air can reach their skin. A light summer rug can trap heat and actually increase your horse’s core body temperature.

▪️ 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁: Just as overweight humans find it harder to cope with hot weather, overweight horses can also struggle. As the days warm up, consider reducing or eliminating rugs for these horses to help them stay cool.

▪️ 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸: Horses generate heat from the inside out as they digest their food, particularly roughage. On cooler days, providing some extra hay can help keep them warm naturally, without the need for additional rugs.

▪️ 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀: Horses that are older or have health issues may struggle to maintain their body temperature at both ends of the TNZ. For these horses, consider adjusting their rugging based on their specific needs—lighter rugs or no rugs during warmer days, and ensuring they have adequate warmth during cooler periods.

🌡️ 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀

As we welcome spring and the warmth it brings, it’s crucial to adjust our rugging practices to avoid overheating our horses. Always keep in mind that your horse might be feeling much warmer than you think, and when in doubt, opt for less rugging rather than more.

Let’s help our horses stay comfortable and healthy by being mindful of their needs as the seasons change.

07/08/2024

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

Positive reinforcement is essential in effective horse training, and understanding what truly motivates your horse can make all the difference. While many trainers use praise and pats as rewards, scratching offers a more meaningful and beneficial alternative for your horse.

𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴
Horses have unique preferences when it comes to rewards. A simple pat on the neck or enthusiastic praise might not resonate with them in the way we expect. Instead, scratching mimics the natural behaviours horses use to interact with each other. In the wild, horses use their teeth to scratch each other’s necks, which is both a social interaction and a practical behaviour that helps alleviate discomfort.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨
Scratching has a calming effect on horses. Studies have shown that when horses scratch each other at the base of the withers, their heart rate lowers by about 10 beats per minute. This is a clear indicator that scratching is more than just a pleasant gesture; it’s a stress-relieving action that horses find highly rewarding.

𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨
At Pony Club, we emphasise the use of scratching as part of our reward-based training techniques. Here’s why it’s effective:

▪️ Immediate Gratification: For positive reinforcement to work, the reward needs to be given immediately after the desired behaviour. Scratching provides instant, tangible gratification for your horse.

▪️ Meaningful Reward: Unlike loud praise or pats, scratching is something horses naturally enjoy. It directly addresses their physical comfort and mimics the social grooming they experience with other horses.

▪️ Stress Relief: The calming effect of scratching can help reduce stress and anxiety, making it an ideal reward during training sessions.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘜𝘴𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺
When incorporating scratching into your training routine, keep the following tips in mind:

1️⃣ Be Consistent: Use scratching as a reward consistently to help your horse associate it with positive behaviours.

2️⃣ Observe Preferences: Pay attention to where your horse likes to be scratched the most—some might prefer the neck, while others might enjoy it on their withers or back.

3️⃣ Combine with Other Rewards: While scratching is highly effective, you can also combine it with other forms of positive reinforcement, like treats, to enhance the reward.

In conclusion, scratching is a powerful and beneficial form of positive reinforcement that aligns with your horse’s natural behaviours and needs. By incorporating scratching into your training, you’re not only rewarding your horse effectively but also fostering a deeper bond built on understanding and respect.

Happy training, and remember to keep those scratches coming! 🐴✨

01/08/2024

Silver City Show Program!
Saturday the 14th of September. Please speak to the Pony Club Committee of needing any help or advice.
Nominations are to be put in at the show office along with registration papers if needed for any of the classes.
Looking forward to a great day.

15/07/2024

Rally Day this coming Sunday! We have a new instructor joining us this weekend.
Get your memberships paid before Sunday to save time.
Day memberships will be available on the day if needed. $30 per rally (max of 3 rallies)