AH Test Syllabus

Standards of Efficiency Test Sheet 2012

The Pony Club ‘AH’ Test stands alone as the highest Test of Horsemastership available in The Pony Club.  It is a pre-requisite for the ‘A’ Test Riding, replacing the Horsemastership section of that Test.  It is recommended that where possible, candidates should take the two tests within a year of each other.

OBJECTIVES

The candidates should:

• Show a wide experience of caring for and handling different types of horses and ponies.
• Have the experience and knowledge to be able to look after two fit competition horses, a fit competition pony, a recuperating horse, an elderly retired horse and a mare and foal turned out.
• Be able to ride and lead for exercise.
• Support practical work shown with logical theory relevant to the individual horses.
• Carry out practical work swiftly and safely showing familiarity with the tasks.
• Be able to lunge fresh, fit, and possibly naughty horses as a form of exercise.
• Understand how the systems of the horse affect daily care in fit and resting horses.
• Recognise the symptoms of ailments and the problems that may arise from these, and be able to undertake suitable action.
• Understand the implications when breeding from a mare.
• Be aware of modern practices; all theory must be grounded, and candidates must be able to apply their knowledge to the horses supplied during the exam.
• The assessor will expect the candidate to show normal daily competence in their answers, but also the ability to observe any unusual behaviour or problem and to suggest a sensible solution.

SECTION A - Part I

Requirements:
Two horses tacked up; saddles, two snaffle bridles, breastplates, boots, rugs (if inclement weather). Mounting block (if possible).

Ride and Lead and Leg Up

A1.  Take two horses out of the stables; mount, ride and lead unaided – using snaffle bridles.  Lead horse may be tied up outside. Highway Code.
A2.  ‘Put up’ a person on a horse by giving a leg up.
A3. Discuss compatibility of the two horses, and the advantages and disadvantages of riding and leading.

SECTION A - Part II

Requirements: 
One shod horse in stable yard
Farrier’s tools and remedial shoes, varying studs if possible
Grooming kit, including a strapping pad or wisp
Clipping and trimming tools
Well equipped tack room

Stable Yard

A4. Consider the practical planning of a stable yard to enhance the welfare of the horses.
A5. Discuss some of the types of bedding available, including storage, muck heap and disposal.
A6. Precautions to be taken against fire and burglary, in and around the stables and yard. Legal requirements for fire extinguishers and electrics.
A7. Organisation of feed store and rodent control.
A8. State the advantages of Pony Club insurance and discuss other possible forms of insurance.
A9. Explain the use of Accident Report forms/books. Know what COSHH and RIDDOR stand for.
A10. Outline actions to be taken in the event of an accident to a person on a stable yard.

Foot and Shoeing

A11. Discuss the structure of this horse’s foot and lower leg.
A12. Discuss the balance of this foot. Identify a well shod foot.
A13. Notice and discuss remedial or corrective shoeing, pads, wear of shoes and relate to movement or possible unsoundness.
A14. Discuss the advantages and disadvantage of the use of studs.
A15. Show how to remove a loose shoe. Tools to use, either farrier’s or substitutes if these are not available.
A16. Evaluate the prognosis for diseases and ailments related to the foot, bearing in mind the future plans for the horse.

Grooming

A17. Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of classical and modern methods of grooming fit horses.
A18. Demonstrate and discuss the reasons for strapping and modern alternatives.
A19. Explain why it is important to wash a sheath, and how it is done.
A20. Discuss current methods of cooling horses and ponies after hard work.
A21. Explain the care of horses’ teeth, and show how to examine for sharp or wolf teeth.
A22. Show basic knowledge of the nervous system; discuss how the sensory systems affect our handling of horses.

Clipping, Trimming and Plaiting

A23. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different ways of pulling manes and tails.
A24. Show how to trim the horse’s legs and heels.
A25. Show how to plait manes and tails.
A26. Discuss clipping a nervous or difficult horse, consider the safety of the person clipping, preparation of horse, the environment and the care of clippers.
A27. Types of clip and their uses. Marking the horse for clipping.

SECTION B - Part I

Requirements:
Lunge area - Horse to be lunged (tacked up), lunge whip and lunge line.

Lungeing

B1. Checking the horse’s equipment.
B2. Working the fit horse for exercise on the lunge in a safe, efficient, effective and practical way.
B3. Recognise the quality of work shown.

SECTION B - Part II

Requirements:
A nearby field to discuss
One mare in a stable

Paddock Management

B4. Discuss how many horses you would keep on this field.  Estimate acreage.
B5. Avoiding worm infestation by regular picking up of droppings and topping rough patches, resting paddock or grazing with sheep or cattle.
B6. Discuss your own pasture management routine.
B7. Discuss the identification and eradication of poisonous plants.
B8. Precautions necessary during and after use of sprays, fertilisers, lime, etc.
B9. Describe advantageous and disadvantageous grasses.

Care and Handling of Mares, Foals and Young Stock

B10. What factors may influence the choice of broodmare or stallion.
B11. Discuss whether you would choose natural covering, AI or embryo transplant.
B12. Explain the veterinary procedures required before a mare can go to stud.
B13. Recognise when a mare is in season.
B14. Choice of service date - basic outline of covering programme.
B15. Discuss foaling environments, facilities and equipment; selection, preparations and procedures.
B16. Describe care of the in-foal mare, including feeding, worming and testing routines.
B17. Describe the inoculations required for the brood mare and foal.
B18. Determine whether or not to foal at home.
B19. Recognise the signs of a mare about to foal.
B20. Compare a normal birth to a situation requiring veterinary attention.
B21. Discuss problems and solutions that may arise with mares, foals and young stock.
B22. Deciding factors on whether to return a mare to stud.
B23. Explain how to travel mares and foals safely.
B24. Discuss the timing and procedure of weaning foals.
B25. Compare the advantages and disadvantages and timing of gelding colts.
B26. Outline the care of young stock up to the age of three years.

SECTION C - Part I

Requirements:
A horse in a stable, a snaffle bridle
A flat, hard surface suitable for trotting up in hand

Conformation

C1. Describe a horse fully, including sex, colour, size, age, markings, type.
C2. Consider the conformation of this horse and the effect that it might have on its way of going and the type of work it may be suited to.
C3. Discuss horseman-like terms or phrases.
C4. Evaluate the advantages or disadvantages of the different types of procedure for vetting horses before purchase.

Lameness

C5. Running a horse up for veterinary inspection and evaluate the action.
C6. Discuss how to identify lameness.
C7. Show how to detect heat and swelling in the horse’s leg and interpret the findings.
C8. Indicate seats of lameness. Splints, curbs, spavins, etc. Where to find them, what they are, causes and treatments.
C9. Recognition and treatment of diseases and ailments of the foot.
C10. Discuss the aims of societies and associations connected with the care of horses and ponies.

Health and Condition

C11. Assess some observations that might make you take action when checking horses first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
C12. Getting a tired horse to stale. Recognising and dealing with symptoms of exhaustion, stress or dehydration after competition or hunting.
C13. Consider the urinary system as related to practical problems.
C14. Be able to demonstrate taking a temperature and summarise the findings.

SECTION C - PART II

Requirements:
One horse in a stable
Feed room with adequate feed samples, hay barn and haylage if possible

Feeding, Exercise and Fitness

C15. Recognition of good and poor condition and reasons for them. Explain condition scoring.
C16. Discuss how the digestive system affects the way horses are fed, and the problems arising from ignoring the rules of feeding.
C17. Evaluate feeding hay or alternatives - horsehage, haylage, etc. Type, qualities, purchasing, storage, quantities to be fed.
C18. Contrast the difference in feeding traditional feedstuffs with modern mixes, consider quality, quantity, and constituents.
C19. Is there a place in a modern feeding system for boiled feeds?
C20. Discuss the value of the many feed additives on the market, and the use of minerals and probiotics.
C21. Compare fibre-based with fibre and concentrate diets, include grass.
C22. Tempting a difficult feeder, relating to a young, old or sick horse.
C23. Contrast work and feed when changing horse from one job to another, or rest, during the year.
C24. Discuss getting horses fit for various disciplines. Interval training – distance and speed.
C25. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of horse-walkers.
C26. Recognise how to relate feeding to work and condition.
C27. Identify how the respiratory system relates to fitness.
C28. Discuss problems of the respiratory system, such as whistling, roaring and allergies and how to deal with them.
C29. Understand the lymphatic, and endocrine systems as they relate to practical problems, such as lymphangitis.

SECTION D - Part I

Requirements:
Two horses in two stables, preferably adjacent
A choice of tack for cross country, boots and exercise bandages
Dressage saddle, double bridle, and working bandages
The bridles must be adjustable to fit the horses provided.  The saddles should not fit perfectly.

Handling

D1. Define the importance of good stable manners for the horse.
D2. Demonstrate how to hold horses or lead horses that are being awkward, possibly during wound cleaning, or when very fresh.
D3. Handling difficult horses in and out of stables. The advantages and disadvantages of twitching, how a twitch works, and different types of restraint.
D4. How to prevent horses from becoming cast, dealing with a horse during and after being cast.

Tacking Up

D5. Compare types and uses of bandages, materials and padding. Discuss current thinking on the effect of heat on tendons.
D6. Put on working and or exercise bandages.
D7. Select and put on suitable equipment to ride this horse around a cross country course.
D8. Fit a saddle and a double bridle. Explain the action of the double bridle.
D9. Recognition of various normal types of bit and saddlery; their uses, advantages, disadvantages and actions.

SECTION D - PART II

Requirements:
One horse in stable
Access to first aid equipment and bandages
Examples of two different wormers

Common Ailments, Nursing, First Aid

D10. Recognition of good and ill health.
D11. Explain simple medical and veterinary terms.
D12. Summarise precautions against infection and contagion.
D13. Discuss care of ill, infectious, and long term recuperating horses.
D14. Understand the use of support bandages, vet wrap and current veterinary bandaging.
D15. Specify how to prevent sores and galls in fit horses during long working seasons.
D16. Compare hot and cold poultices, types and uses.
D17. Identify and discuss the circulatory system and symptoms of when it malfunctions, explain how to deal with severe bleeding.
D18. Summarise inoculations - types and timing.
D19. Evaluate precautions against flies on horses and around stables and in the field.
D20. Explain treatment of coughs, colds, flu and strangles.
D21. Discuss current thinking on causes, treatment and preventative measures of laminitis and azoturia.
D22. Evaluate modern methods of reducing horses’ worm burdens.
D23. Explain the functions of the horses’ skin, and how to recognise and treat skin diseases.
D24. Basic knowledge of the skeletal and muscular systems and their effect on performance and movement.
D25. Discuss the muscular system’s development required to support ridden work.
D26. Explain how to recognise eye problems, and the action to be taken.
D27. Wounds, judge when the wound is simple to deal with and when veterinary attention is required.

READ

Pony Club Publications:

• The Manual of Horsemanship
• Breeding, Backing and Bringing on Young Horses
• Endurance Riding and Trekking
• USPC Guide to Lungeing and Ground Training
• The Pony Club Guide to Pasture Management
• The Pony Club Stablemates Series:

Vital Statistics: A Guide to Conformation - Maggie Raynor

Body Basics: A Guide to Anatomy of the Horse - Maggie Raynor

Fit for the Bit: A Guide to Care of the Horse’s Mouth – Antony de Csernatony & Maggie Raynor

Look out for more Stablemates books in the near future.

Other publications:

• A Working Notebook of AH Test Horse and Pony Care - Mrs T Adams (available from www.equineworkingnotebooks.com)
• The Horse Nutrition Bible - Ruth Bishop
• The Horse Shoeing Book - Martin Humphrey AWCF
• Horse Anatomy Workbook - Maggie Raynor
• The Horse: From Conception to Maturity - Peter Rossdale
• BHS Veterinary Manual - M. Stewart Hastie MRCVS
• The Complete Book of Bits and Bitting - E. Hartley Edwards
• Saddle Fitting - Kay Humphries

Suggested further reading:

• Horse Nutrition & Feeding - Sarah Pilliner BHSII
• Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners – M. H. Hayes (2002)
• No Foot No Horse: Foot Balance, the key to soundness and performance - Mac Head FWCF, Gail Williams & Martin Deacon FWCF
• Horsemaster’s Notebook - Mary Rose & Islay Auty FBHS
• BHS Horse and Stable Management - Josephine Batty-Smith BHSI
• Horse Anatomy: A Pictorial Approach to Equine Structure - Peter Goody
• Equine Injury, Therapy and Rehabilitation - Mary Bromiley
• Mares, Foals and Foaling – Freidrich Andrist  

VIEW

• When to call the Vet.
• Handling and Leading
• Health and Condition
• Under the Horse’s Skin (CDROM) available from the BHS www.bhs.org.uk.

Felt Colour - Orange
Honours – Salmon Pink