Checklists make good habits

 One thing that stands out for me with Pony Club is the propensity of checklists. I love checklists, they give me a chance to slow down mentally so I can be sure I have covered as many areas as possible and don't accidently overlook something important.

The following Pre-Ride and Post-Ride Checklist is one of my new favorites:

The latest edition of Pony Club News has an article by noted world-class groom, Emma Ford, on Pre-Ride and Post-Ride checklists.  For the complete article follow this link, PRE-RIDE & POST-RIDE CARE.



This is my Pre-Ride Checklist:

  • Know when your horse is fed. Are you showing up to ride when it might be eating or shortly there after? If so, use your time wisely to gather your gear together so your horse is not waiting on the cross-ties for you to be organized. I may use this time to stretch especially if I spent a lot of time in front of the computer. This is also the perfect time to practice my riding posture before I am on horseback and have even more tasks to juggle.
  • When getting your horse/pony to the grooming area, how is their demeanor? Are they happy to see you? 
  • When I put them on the cross-tie or tie up with a quick-release, I like to look at how they are standing. Are they relaxed? Are they standing evenly on all of their feet?
  • Before I pick up a brush, I start with running my hands over them. How do they react? Is there a spot they don't want me to touch? Is it muscle tightness or something else like an injury? Are there bot fly eggs that should be removed? Do they have mud encrusted patches that need to be de-crusted. If so, what kind of shape is the skin underneath? Are there any rough patches or scratches that need attention?
  • Feet. Pick out to remove mud, rocks and manure but also to scope out how my horse is feeling about picking up their feet. Are they willing to pick-up their feet evenly? If they have shoes on, are all the clinches tight?

There are more suggestions of things to look at in your Pre-Ride checklist in this article from Pony Club supporter, The Horse.com, Once-Over Grooming by Nancy Loving, DVM

My Post-Ride Checklist:

  • How strenuous was my ride? If there was quite a bit of cantering or other activities, I want to take my horse on a walk to cool down. I may get off, loosen the noseband and girth so they can take deep breaths while we are walking.
  • I almost always throw a cooler on to finish the post ride. I like my horses' large muscle groups to cool down slowly and remain supple. I often run my hands over the groups and fluff the hair in the opposite direction for stimulation.
  • If sweaty, I normally use a damp washcloth to breakup sweat marks. I follow-up with a vigorous double-brush routine with the body brush and dandy brush. Again my horses seem to like the nerve and hair stimulation. I keep an eye on their expressions and whether they are relaxing into the post ride routine. This also gives me time to run my hands over their legs to make sure there are no tender spots or swelling. I am eager to try Emma Ford's suggestion for using witch hazel on a towel for sweaty marks in the winter. 
  • I will often put my horse in a stall to finish the post-ride routine. This give them a chance to drink water and have a bathroom break.
  • I take time to put away my tack and grooming tools. Saddle pads are hung up to dry. Tack is wiped down.

Here is a link to a Google Document, I started to capture my pre-ride and post-ride checklists. What kind of modifications would you make for ride routines? Feel free to copy the checklist and make your own updates.


Other Pony Club Checklists of Note:

Standards of Proficiency: I look to these to see what goals we need to be working toward

Proposed Packing List for Camps, Clinics and Competition from USPC Horse Management Handbook

The USPC Horse Management Handbook

World Class Grooming For Horses: The English Rider's Complete Guide to Daily Care and Competition by Cat Hill, Emma Ford (Jessica Dailey-Photographer) Link to Amazon


 Kim Mason-Darnell, DC 
Hill Top Pony Club
Location: US-183, Liberty Hill, TX 78642, USA

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