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Facebook Challenge - notes.

Obstacles.

1. Touch.
Examples of :-
Crazy Cone - something bright and colourful attached to a cone.
A soft toy on an upturned bucket.
Whirly Bird - a crop bird-scarer.
2. Around.
5 markers placed 2m apart.
Cones, buckets, items of clothing, soft toys - must be visible to the camera.
3.Over.
Must be at least 1.5 x the equines length.
Tarpaulin, old carpet, ball pool.
4.Under.
Must be 1.3 x the equines height.
Arch or curtain with supports.
Must have ribbons or tassels that at least hang down to the height of the equines head - an old shower curtain is ideal to cut up to make ribbons.
5. Through.
Narrow gap - 1.5x equines length 
Height - handlers hip height.
2x barriers placed 1.5m apart, placed parallel next to each other.
Marker (A) placed at least 4m from obstacle 5.

All obstacles must contain something Yellow

Site safety and obstacle design.

The welfare, both mentally and physically, of the equine should always be paramount and above all else.
Pay particular attention to where you site your obstacles.
Always set you equine up to succeed.
Don't place any obstacles close to wire or electric fences.
Flat ground is always favourable.
Consider the weather conditions, wet ground can become slippery, wind can blow over obstacles.
Obstacle construction.
 
Throughout this website you will find many examples and pictures of the obstacles we use.
It can't be emphasised enough that the construction of the obstacles must be safe.
It is counter productive to loose the trust you are building with your equine, by an obstacle coming apart and frightening them.
When constructing them, always think of the worst case possible scenario and err on the side of caution.
Gaffer tape is an agility obstacles best friend.
Screws should be used in place of nails.
Poly Pipe that is lightweight, is favourable to make anything that the equine has to walk under.
Tarpaulins or carpet to walk over, need to be weighted with a pole on either side.

Glossary of terms *

"Send"
Asking the equine to negotiate the obstacle, whilst the handler stays outside of the obstacle.

"Present"
The handler to use expression, body language and energy to "present" the obstacle to the equine.

"Partnership leading position"
The handler and equine working together, the lead rope relaxed, the handler not in front of the equines nose and not behind his shoulder. A constant exchange of information and communication always evident and visible to the judge.
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