How to make a forage box for the ponies!
What we used for this one-
A box
Pinecones for foraging around
1 scoop of Fiber Fresh boost
2x carrots
3x horse treats
2x mini candy canes
Did you know most zoo's clicker train their animals!? (Using positive reinforcement R+)
We took a group of our hard working helpers out to Wellington Zoo Te Nukuao to learn how a couple of their animals are trained.
We use R+ training with our horses so it was interesting to get to see how it can be used for animals like the Giraffes and tasmanian devils.
They trained similar behaviours like target and up onto a platform and other cooperative care skills (like putting their foot on a hoof block and going into a crate or a crush)
A great opportunity to ask questions, from how much tasmanian devils understand verbal cues, to how to keep a giraffe happy with enrichment and more.
A huge thank you to Wellington zoo for accommodating us, answering all our questions and showing us how you train. ❤️
Sold before she even hit the market! 🙈
Summer has made one girl very happy, can't wait to see what fun things they get up to. 🏞️
Today's pony group was a wet one ☔
So we played a team quiz game where they split into two teams and attempted to answer the most questions correctly! A fun way to test knowledge and learn.
To end the quiz we went over the cards one last time together (as seen on the video) so the riders could learn what the correct answers were.
One of our students brought muffins that we all got to enjoy during pony group 😍
Before we finished we split into two groups, the riders getting to choose between learning about colours and markings with me (Tayla) or learning about feeding safety and how to feed hay/hard feed with Katana.
Then we came back together and practiced how to correctly feed a reward when using positive reinforcement (In pairs, one pretended to be the horse, the other the handler who was feeding the reward, then they switched, a safe and easy way to learn it!)
We have a few of the riders from this pony group choose to stay afterwards and help out, so they do a great job helping the seniors finish up the yard chores 😍
#equestrian #nzequestrian #ridingschool #horses
Spend a show day with us!!
##equestrian #nzequestrian #ridingschool
A fun theory activity to help riders recognise and learn things, from colours, markings, pieces of gear and more.
Can make it easy for new riders (halter, bay horse, star marking, saddle) and harder for more advanced riders (Martingale, gut supplement, roll top jump, medicine boots)
#equestrian #ridingschool #nzequestrian
Transforming our barn for the barn disco!
We had so much fun, a great way for our riders to socialise with each other and meet others, especially if they ride on different days!
Today's pony club theory session @nzponyclub
Riders were split into four groups, one for each season. Then they searched the arena together for 4 facts about what ponies need/things to remember in that season which were taped onto wooden cake slices and hidden around the arena 😆
Afterwards we went over the seasons and things to remember.
We then discussed the 5 domains of horse welfare and they worked in their groups to make a poster about the domain they got given.
POV - You're arriving for your first lesson with us ❤️
Camp ride under the lights to finish off the second day of camp 🏕️
Episode one trailer for the Littleriver Equestrian 5 day challenge camp. 🎉
Featured in episode one was the bit challenge, sponsored by @saddlery_warehouse
Want to see more?
Episode one is out now on YouTube!
Today's Easter event! ❤️
So much fun with some of our students and ponies. Big thank you to Lucie for organising this.
