Winter pony patter

As soon as they see the feed bucket the ponies come trotting up.   Bridget (at the  back) can move nearly as fast as Sundance when she wants to, in spite of having wonky legs.   We’re hoping she’ll get more sturdy as she matures, the farrier thinks she may always have some problems, but if so, she’s coping with them fine at present.    Little ponies are not as easy to look after as you might think.  They need lots of space for exercise and up and down hills is great as it develops their muscles.   Such a lot of ponies are kept in flat and featureless fields which is not ideal.   A wood, a stream, a hill, some high hedges for shelter, this would be better.   Our ponies have times when they play – they stand on the top of the bank – pause for a few moments – and then all gallop down together.   It’s a race but it doesn’t matter who wins, they love having fun.

The ponies have all grown thick winter coats and manes and tails to match.   They help to keep them warm, ponies shouldn’t be trimmed at all in winter.   A light brush over with a dandy brush is all that’s needed.   Ponies should never be bathed in winter because it takes the oil out of their coats and they might get chilled.   Somewhere out of the wind and rain for shelter is good, an open barn is ideal.   Tall hedges make a good windbreak and the  horses find their own place.

Bridget doesn’t have quite as much mane as some of the others because she’s younger – but she’s getting there.    She is still very tiny and needs vitamin supplements every day.  She loves her feeds and also has hay and carrots.   Whilst we don’t groom the ponies in winter we do pay attention to their legs and fetlocks (just above their hooves).   Because the ground is so muddy, they can get sores in their ankle joints if it’s constantly wet.   If they have cracked heels it becomes very sore and painful.  Any open skin lets in infection so prevention is definitely better than cure.   If you think your horse is at risk it’s a good idea to cake the skin with grease – vaseline is ideal.   Do this when the hair is dry and clean and then keep it up every day.   The grease acts as a barrier and keeps the skin supple also.

While some folks might be dreaming of a white christmas we’re all hoping for it to stay mild, fine and dry.   Feeding horses and other stock in the snow is a nightmare!