Stable Management is a very important component of the Pony Club curriculum as a considerable portion of the Achievement Standards is focused on stable management. As well, team competitors at Pony Club Rallies are also scored on their Stable Management abilities – it is a fun yet highly competitive part of Rally.

Stable management basically encompasses everything which is not covered by the actual act of riding. It includes all aspects of owning a horse or looking after one and this can include grooming, mucking out, saddlery and care of the horse.

Domestic horses rely on humans for all of their basic needs; food, water, health and shelter. Therefore, we should respect the fact they need us and make sure they are kept clean, safe, warm and dry at all times.

Children especially, can get plenty out of stable managing. When they are looking after someone else, namely their horse, they are putting that someone else first. They will also start to appreciate how big a job it is to look after a horse and, moreover, it will improve relations between the child and their pony.

More information on the Pony Club stable management achievement levels and lesson plans are available at the Canadian Pony Club website (find What we do>Education and Testing>Standards by Level … click on appropriate level).