Northernlights Equestrian Scotland
Just a few words on the keeping of horse and pony
dogs tack/gifts for sale stallion directory photos
well I guess that as you are reading this page you have just purchased a pony or you are about too
and would like a little help or advise on the usual things like feeding etc, so the first thing to do when
you get your purchase home (hopefully you have had the pony vetted before you paid out the cash if
not get the vet in now) Is to run your hands over him to make sure he hasn't knocked himself in
transit, then put him in a nice cosy stable with a small feed and a net of hay and plenty of water , rug
him up if he`s clipped or its cold or put a summer sheet on if its warm, if you don't have a stable and
he`s to live out walk him round the perimeter of the field so he knows the edges before you release
him and he goes scooting off looking for others, it is best to turn him out by himself, if he's at livery
ask if he can be kept seperate for a while to settle in, the livery owner will probably need to see
vaccination cert's before he goes in with others, and proberly he will be isolated just incase he`s been
in contact with things like strangles or the cough, leave him to settle in for a couple of days before you
ride him(I know its tempting to get on straight away) bring him in and groom him lead him, out talk to
him let him get to know you, you will find he responds to your voice much quicker that way, after a
few days take him into the school or a fenced off piece of field and walk and trot and if you feel really
confident have a little canter but don't over do it, when you think you have learnt all his little
idiosyncrasies (querks) then if you have a good friend with a quiet pony that is 100% traffic proof take
him out for a hack have the 100%traffic proof pony on the outside until you know a little more about
your new pony`s way with traffic and odd things flapping about.
In the summer you must keep an eye on his weight or Laminitis could set in (see vet page) make sure
that he always has water to drink on a hot dry sunny day he will drink about 8gallons (48ltrs?) a horse
can get dehydrated very quickly and could die, water is more important than feed when its hot. some
unscrupulous dealers and horse breakers withhold water to make the horse quiet to ride.
It is a good idea to buy a fly sheet to keep the biting horrors off, these fly sheets can also stop fading
of the coat.
Get his feet trimmed very 4to6 weeks, if he does most of his work in the fields or school he probably
won`t need shoes.
Winter brings other problems your pony will need a small short feed at least once a day if out and
some good hay, check rugs and adjust if needed don't forget to break the ice in the water trough
if snow on the ground the feet will need picking out and some oil put on the soles to stop the snow
balling up underneath and the pony walking on stilts this causes bruising of the sole and will make the
pony lame. If he is in then he will have to be looked at a least twice a day preferably three times he
will need ad lib hay one or two short feeds should suffice lots of water, mucking out completely once
a day and skipping out sometime in the day,rugs changing from night rugs too daytime also he will
need exercising unless the weather is really bad and icy, some form of turnout is advisable if poss.
The best of both worlds is turn out in the day and stabled at night this way he exercises himself, you to
a certain degree, while hes turned out you can muck out happily and make his bed for the evening if
you are at school or work maybe mum or the livery owner will turn out in the mornings then you can
muck out after school or work, in that way you will not be so rushed.
Don't forget to clean tack and check it regularly for any cracks or faults also check rugs and fittings.
POINTS OF THE HORSE