Caring for a pony varies significantly between the seasons, primarily due to the fluctuating feeding requirements. In the warm summer months, we must adopt a modified management approach compared to the cold winter period.
Impact of Spring and Summer Grazing
As discussed in Chapter 2 regarding appropriate pasture selection, it is crucial to note that spring and summer grazing commonly results in ponies becoming noticeably pudgy. This excess weight gain leads to:
- Softer physical condition: The pony tends to become less firm due to what seems like a surplus nutrient intake, disrupting their normally solid physique.
- Reduced stamina: Ponies can become ‘blown’ or short of breath readily, hinting at lowered energy reserves.
- Likely laziness: Over-fed ponies are often less enthusiastic or driven, potentially due to complacency from an over-abundant food supply.
- Potential laminitis risk: Overweight ponies may contract a debilitating foot disease called laminitis, which involves inflammation and possible hoof structure damage.
The established solution to these issues is quite straightforward: decrease grazing time.
Stable-Based Restriction
For pony-keepers with access to a stable, confining the pony indoors during the peak sunny hours can be an effective remedy. Within this confinement, ensure that the pony:
- Has ample water supply: Dehydration is an issue to avoid, particularly during summer.
- Understands the routine: The pony will gradually adapt to being indoors during the day, finding solace in cooler temperatures and absence of pestering flies.
- Adjusts feeding based on health: The duration for stabled confinement is to be determined by the pony’s physique. A pony kept on night grazing will maintain its health, but supplementary feeds of concentrates will be necessary if involved in strenuous activities (like gymkhanas or Pony Club events).
For a 14-hand pony, additional feeds can range from two to six pounds of cubes daily, depending on the pony’s temperament and food reaction.
Utilizing Open Sheds
In the absence of a stable, an open shed serves as an adequate alternative. To ensure the pony remains within the shed:
- Install sturdy barriers: Erect three or four resilient bars across the entrance to prevent escape, ensuring placement is on the inside and set closely enough to stop the pony from poking its head through and pushing.
- Prevent back escape: Sheds should be secure on all sides to thwart any adventurous breakouts.
As always, water is indispensable, and its availability must not be overlooked.
Open-Air Confinement
In cases where neither a shed nor a stable is available, the pony could be tied under a shady tree. For successful open-air confinement:
- Use durable head-collar and rope: The selected rope and collar should stand up against conventional attempts to break free.
- Repel flies: Regular application of a safe, effective fly repellent should be a crucial part of the summer care routine, avoiding sensitive areas like eyes and nostrils.
- Position appropriately: The tied pony should be visible from the house and must always have access to water.
Observing Pony Health and Condition
To properly care for a pony, one must be adept in identifying signs of good health and potential illness. This involves an understanding of the pony’s physical condition across different seasons and the ability to perform simple checks.
Identifying General Health Indicators
There are several general indicators of a pony’s wellbeing:
- Expressive eyes: The pony’s eyes should be bright and alert, suggesting active engagement with their surroundings.
- Responsive demeanor: The overall expression of the pony should be interested and lively.
- Condition of the coat: Brushing off mud should leave the pony’s coat flat and shiny. Although on colder days, the coat might sport a fuzzy appearance due to the raised hairs creating an insulating air layer against the cold. A dull ‘staring’ coat, where hairs do not lie flat under normal conditions, could indicate ill health or poor overall condition.
Assessing Body Shape in Summer
The pony should retain a rounded appearance during summertime, but it’s normal for him to carry more fat than in winter. Nonetheless, the pony’s shape should still be discernible, rather than being a mere extended stomach that obscures even the outline of the hip bones.
Performing Simple Physical Condition Checks
Regardless of the season, the following methods can help you evaluate your pony’s health condition:
- Rib Check: Lay your hand flat over the pony’s ribs, moving it back and forth. The flesh should move with your hand, as opposed to remaining stationary and taut.
- Neck Firmness Test: Apply gentle pressure across the top of the pony’s neck. The neck should feel robust and inflexible, rather than weak and thin.
Noticing Behavioral Patterns
Behavior can be another important indicator of good health:
- Liveliness: The pony should exhibit a sufficient level of activeness; a lack of this could suggest ill health.
- Work Capacity: Assess whether the pony copes effortlessly with the tasks required of him.
However, it is also crucial to recognize that your own activity as a rider may influence the pony’s liveliness. Nevertheless, the “corn-bin”—symbolizing nutritional intake—remains a substantial motivator for the pony’s energy levels and overall health.
Feeding and Handling Ponies
Understanding the feeding behavior of ponies and knowing how to manage feeding times is crucial for maintaining better control and fostering positive relationships with your pony. A clear feeding schedule and an awareness of individual pony characteristics can minimize conflicts and ensure a healthy feeding process.
Managing Multiple Ponies during Feeding Time
Dealing with multiple ponies requires that one takes certain precautions during feeding times:
- Food Distribution: Hang the hay-nets and place the feeds at spots well distant from each other. One pony might be more dominant or greedier than the others. By dispersing the meal placements, all ponies would have fair access.
- Controlling Excitement: Some, particularly younger ponies, tend to respond nervously or aggressively when food is presented. While it is always necessary to avoid teasing them, don’t tolerate inappropriate behavior. A simple solution can be carrying a stick or asking for help from an adult to maintain proper distance between the ponies until the food is safely positioned. With continued reinforcement, your ponies will soon learn to wait patiently.
Adapting to Pony Feeding Habits
Ponies are naturally creatures of habit, and it is crucial to always bear this in mind:
- Consistent Feeding Time: Feed your ponies at approximately the same time each day. This consistency keeps them calm and assures that they’re receiving their food regularly.
- Balanced Rations: Ideally, the hay ration should be divided into two parts and provided in the morning and evening. However, feeding all the hay in the morning is also acceptable, as ponies will often consume about half and save the rest for later of their own accord.
- Other feed considerations: If the ponies are offered concentrates over one pound, it should be divided into two feeds. If adding carrots to the feed, include them in the evening meal.
Maintaining a Healthy Pony Condition
Maintaining a pony’s good condition is simpler with cautious feeding than trying to restore health to a poorly conditioned pony.
- Preventing Underfeeding: Always remember, it is much easier to maintain a healthy pony through judicious feeding than ameliorating a malnourished one.
Setting Up Pony Schedule Before Riding
A good routine can help to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride:
- Pre-riding routine: Try to catch your pony about an hour before your intended ride. This gives him time to eat concentrates (if included in their diet) but withhold hay until after the ride. If the pony is on a grass diet, allowing an hour of fasting before setting off can be beneficial.
Adjusting to a New Pony
When you first acquire a pony, it is recommendable to get to know him first before adjusting his feeding schedule or diet:
- Initial feeding: Initially give the new pony only grass or hay. As you develop mutual trust and stronger bonds, and your ambitions increase, the pony’s feeding can be adjusted accordingly. This gradual alteration allows for a more comfortable transition for both the pony and the owner.
Water Intake and Ponies
Ensuring a regular and clean supply of water significantly contributes to a pony’s health. On average, a pony consumes about eight gallons of water per day. Several sources can be used, varying in natural availability and upkeep.
Optimum Drinking Sources for Ponies
There are diverse drinking sources that ponies can consume:
- Natural Sources: An ideal source would be a running stream that has an easily accessible area from which the pony can drink. However, stagnant small ponds are not viable options as water sources due to hygiene considerations.
- Collected Rainwater: Rainwater collected using guttering systems on the pony’s shed can serve as an expedient water source. However, this option relies heavily on rainfall, which should be enough to keep the collection tank not only filled but also clean.
Regardless of the utilized water source, daily checks are an absolute must, especially during hot climates.
Feeding Containers For Ponies
When water needs to be manually provided:
- Using Recycled Materials: Consult with a builder to potentially acquire an old sink or bathtub for a few shillings. Upon sealing the outflow, these items can serve as effective drinking containers for your pony.
- Daily Upkeep: Regularly add enough water daily to avoid leaving your pony with insufficient water supply, which could harm its wellbeing.
Water Intake Precautions
Cautious water intake is necessary when your pony is in specific conditions:
- Post-Ride Guidelines: Avoid giving your pony cold water when it is hot and sweating after a ride. The last mile of the ride should ideally be walked to cool the pony off. If the pony is still sweaty upon returning, you may offer half a bucket of lukewarm water. This might encourage the pony to roll and cool off before drinking more.
- After Feeding Concentrates: Drinking a large quantity of water following a feed of concentrates could cause colic in your pony. If your pony expects a feed upon returning from work and refuses to drink before it, delay the feed for an hour and leave the pony in its field with just grass or hay.
Precompetition Guidelines: Avoid giving your pony a large quantity of water just before heading out, especially before participating in any form of competition. Post competing in a hunter trial or gymkhana event, your pony may want to rinse its mouth with some water, but if there is another upcoming competition or if the pony is overheated, reserve additional water until the pony is cool and the activity is concluded.
