15/10/2024
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๐ช๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ช๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ: ๐ช๐ต๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐๐น๐๐ฏ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐จ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ข๐น๐ฑ
At PCA, horse welfare is at the heart of everything we do. One key aspect of our Horse Welfare Policy is the rule that horses under four years old are not permitted to participate in competitive Pony Club activities, with the exception of walk/trot dressage from the age of three. This policy isnโt just about setting an age limit; itโs about protecting young horses and ensuring they have the best chance at a long, healthy, and sound life.
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ช๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐?
Horses, like humans, need time to develop physically and mentally. Although they may look mature on the outside, a horseโs musculoskeletal system continues to grow well into their fifth year. The bones, joints, and soft tissues are still forming, which means young horses are more prone to injury if overworked or asked to perform strenuous tasks too soon. The early years of a horseโs life should be about light work and education, not intense competition.
While a three-year-old horse can participate in basic walk/trot dressage, which involves low-intensity movements, anything more complex or demanding can have serious implications. This lighter work allows them to start learning balance, rhythm, and response to aids without placing undue strain on their still-maturing bodies.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ด๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐
โช Increased Risk of Injury
Competitive activities, especially those involving jumping, high-speed movement, or sudden changes in direction, place significant stress on the bones, joints, and ligaments of a young horse. Overworking these delicate structures can result in injuries like tendon strain, joint damage, or even fractures, which may cause long-term lameness.
โช Developmental Problems
Pushing a young horse too hard before their bones are fully developed can lead to growth plate injuries. The growth plates, or areas of developing cartilage tissue near the ends of long bones, are highly vulnerable to stress. Damage to these areas can affect the horseโs overall development, potentially leading to lifelong soundness issues.
โช Mental Fatigue
While physical development is critical, we canโt overlook the mental aspect of training young horses. Introducing a young horse to intense competition too soon can lead to burnout, anxiety, or behaviour issues. Just like children, young horses need time to mature mentally and emotionally. By gradually introducing them to low-stress activities, we set them up for future success in a way that supports their overall well-being.
โช Shortened Career
Horses that are overworked or pushed into competition at a young age often experience a shortened competitive career due to the early onset of soundness issues. By adhering to the Pony Club policy, we allow horses to grow strong and healthy, ensuring they have the longevity to enjoy a full and productive riding life.
๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐
At Pony Club, we believe in building a solid foundation for horses and riders alike. By respecting the natural growth and development of young horses, we not only protect their physical and mental health but also create the best conditions for a long, happy partnership between horse and rider.
Letโs always remember: Itโs not about pushing young horses into competition as early as possible. Itโs about giving them the time, care, and training they need to develop into sound, happy athletes for the future.
For more information on our Horse Welfare Policy or advice on training young horses, please visit: https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/horse-welfare/
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ณ: ๐๐ง ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ข ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ด๐ฆ ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐บ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ, ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ด๐ถ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ญ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ช๐ค๐บ ๐จ๐ถ๐ช๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ด๐ข๐ง๐ฆ๐จ๐ถ๐ข๐ณ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ช๐ณ ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ-๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ.