Shillelagh Hunt Branch

In addition to the Pony Club Efficiency Tests you can also work for Achievement Badges. The Pony Club Achievement Badge scheme is a fun way to learn more about horsemanship and the countryside. These lovely colourful badges look very smart sewn onto the sleeves of your sweatshirt. Below are a variety of the badges you can work for.

BANDAGING & RUGS - To be able to put on stable bandages, a tail bandage, a rug and roller and a New Zealand rug.


FEEDING - To know the basic rules of feeding and to be able to recognise different foodstuffs.
FIRST AID (EQUINE) - To know how to treat minor wounds and illness. To be able to recognise signs of good/ill health and know about the necessary protection against Tetanus, Flu and Worms.

HANDLING & GROOMING - To be able to run up a pony in hand and to tie it up safely. To be able to identify and use all grooming utensils correctly.

LOADING - To be able to load/unload a pony, with assistance, safely into/out of a trailer or horsebox

MUCKING OUT - To be able to name and use stable tools to muck out and to talk about different types of bedding.

POINTS OF THE HORSE - To know the points of the horse, colours and markings.

SADDLERY - To be able to name the parts of, and put on a saddle and a snaffle bridle, know about the care and cleaning of same. Be able to identify common bits, i.e. Eggbut/Loose-ring Snaffle, Pelham etc

SHOEING - To know the indications that a pony needs the farrier, what to look for in a newly shod foot, and to know the blacksmith's tools.

RIDING & ROAD SAFETY- To be able to apply the 'Green Cross Code' and Highway Code as a road user.

CARE OF THE HORSES FOOT - To know something of the structure of the horses foot, the need for daily care and some knowledge of the trimming and shoeing process. 

PLAITING - To know the principles of plaiting a mane and tail, know occasions when the horse/pony should be plaited and recognise a well plaited mane and tail.

TACK CLEANING - To know the equipment

BIRD WATCHING - To be able to identify the following: Robin, Blackbird, Great-tit, Blue-tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Jay, Mallard, Mute Swan, Wren & Kingfisher.

WILD FLOWERS - To be able to identify the following: Buttercup, Daisy, Foxglove, Bluebell, Cowslip, Dandelion, Primrose, Forget-me-not, Red/White Campion, Snowdrop, Poppy and Clover.

POISONOUS PLANTS - To be able to identify poisonous plants as listed in the Manual of Horsemastership.

TREES - To be able to identify the following: Oak, Ash, Beech, Sycamore, Lime, Holly, Yew, Horse Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut, Birch, Hazel and Larch.

 WILDLIFE - To be able to identify the following: Badger, Fox, Hare, Mole, Otter, Rabbit, Stoat, Weasel, Red/Grey Squirrel, Red/Fallow/Roe Deer.