Recent content by thelwellpony

I've only tried the Libra Trek but didn't get on with it at all! I do have slightly dodgy hips and just found it so uncomfortable, and it slipped forward terribly on my pony. Saying that, lots of people love them. Horses for courses I suppose.

I'm deep littering mine on box rest and it's working really well now that the base is established. Very easy to muck out and uses about a bale of shaving a week to top up. Pony also spends plenty of time snoozing on it, so everyone is happy. The only bit I'm dreading is when the time comes to...

I'm currently deep littering a pony on box rest and it is working really well. It did take a few weeks to establish a base layer, so bear with it. I don't take out any wet and just sift through the top layer to take out the poo. Pony lies down happily on it, it doesn't smell and mucking out...

My pony survived (and actually gained weight) through four months of snow and freezing temperatures a few years ago. She got a handful of chaff a day and was turned out 24/7, unrugged, on about ten acres of good grazing under the snow. No hay, no other feed - she dug for grass and got on with...

Yes, this is almost exactly what happened with my pony last week. She's on box rest (deep bed, soaked hay, etc) and bute and we're waiting for the results of blood tests for EMS and Cushings. Hope your pony is feeling better soon!

Muck Boots - only thing I've found that keeps my feet warm.

I long rein my very greedy pony in an ordinary bridle and saddle and tuck the reins of the normal bridle under the stirrups - if you get the length right, they act as side reins/grass reins and stop them getting at the grass. Not very elegant, but effective!

Fantastic book - I cannot recommend it highly enough. Best money you will ever spend if you deal with unhandled youngsters.

On the other hand, what your farrier shouldn't say: "Oh, she's really not so bad is she?" about my admittedly rather tricky mare as he was starting on the last foot. She'd been quite good up until that point, but tried to double barrel him as soon the words were out of his mouth...

Kent and Masters do an adjustable gullet leather saddle, but I believe it's on a very similar tree to Thorowgoods - probably not ideal if you aren't getting on with that!

Have a look at the Moorland Mousie Trust's fostering scheme - I would highly recommend an Exmoor!

My mare had a sequestrum removed from her hind cannon last year following a deep wound. Thankfully she's insured - the total bill was for the injury was about £3k, but I think the actual op was about a grand. Bandages and x-rays add up alarmingly! The op was done under standing sedation...