Bought house, inherited pony...

[Kittykins]

My father and step mother have just bought a house in New Zealand. A couple of acres, nice views, all very lovely - and the outgoing owners asked whether they wanted the the livestock already on the property as part of the deal, as they couldn't take the animals with when they moved on. Livestock includes a few chickens, a few ducks... and a miniature pony.

Bearing in mind that Dad and his wife have lived in the city all their lives and have only sat on a horse twice, let alone owned or looked after one.

She's a bit new-age "wouldn't it be lovely if everyone lived in yurts?" and so foolishly said they'd take the pony on.

They moved in yesterday.

Here's the pony. I know you can't really tell from pictures, but my concerns so far are that it's a little overweight, and I think its feet need seeing too. What do you all think?

I'm going to advise about farriers, worming, rotating pasture, dentist and insurance... can you think of anything else? Rugging in winter, or is it likely to be hardy enough?

I've already advised giving it to a knowledgeable home, so don't even get me started on that one!

 

[Pigeon]

Oh, bless, he's very cute!

Agreed a bit chubby and feet need doing. Also probably wouldn't leave him with that headcollar on. It does look like he has his own pen (unless he's just in the garden!) so hopefully they should be able to ration his grazing fairly easily.

Get them to join this forum

 

[Kittykins]

Ok, I don't understand why this picture isn't working. Am using Flickr.

 

[St Nicnaclaus]

Agree feet and not slimline but why are you making such a big deal about it? Surely if they can look after chickens, presumably by buying a book and learning about it, they can look after a pony? It's not rocket science and people can learn.

 

[_GG_]

Agree feet and not slimline but why are you making such a big deal about it? Surely if they can look after chickens, presumably by buying a book and learning about it, they can look after a pony? It's not rocket science and people can learn.

Let's just hope they don't mow the lawn and feed the fresh cut grass to the pony before they get to that chapter in the book then eh?

Ponies are very different to chickens for the completely clueless. Sure, if you have a little knowledge you should be ok, but to go in with zero knowledge is not fair on the pony or the people.

 

[Woodsider]

Let's just hope they don't mow the lawn and feed the fresh cut grass to the pony before they get to that chapter in the book then eh?

Ponies are very different to chickens for the completely clueless. Sure, if you have a little knowledge you should be ok, but to go in with zero knowledge is not fair on the pony or the people.

LIKE!!

 

[jeeve]

Insurance in NZ and Australia not the same deal as in the Uk - i would not insure a pony - the premiums are likely to be excessive. I would self insure. None of our horses are insured - very few people except those with performance horses/race horses/show horses (and not even most of them) would insure.

It should not need rugging ever - unless it has no shelter and raining forever.

Paddock rotation may not be possible - I would be more concerned about it having limited access to excess grazing than rotating paddocks. Really depends how good the fencing is - one secure yard/paddock is better than multiple not secure paddocks

Main things trim feet every say 6-8 weeks, dental once a year, worming a and make sure not too fat or bored. It's a pony they are tough and usually inexpensive to keep and easy to maintain. I would not stress too much.

 

[LynH]

He may be used to living alone but would be better with a companion. Is there room for someone else to keep another pony there and help teach your parents how to care for the pony/keep an eye on it?

 

[Gloi]

It does look very laminitis prone.

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Agree feet and not slimline but why are you making such a big deal about it? Surely if they can look after chickens, presumably by buying a book and learning about it, they can look after a pony? It's not rocket science and people can learn.

Sorry but I think that comment is unfair. ok, it's not rocket science but if it was so straight forward why do you think we have a forum full of people asking advice? It's quite easy to kill
an animal with kindness.....I don't think OP is making a big deal, just being responsible.

Are ur mum and dad taking an interest in the pony-Maybe they could have a look at some pony care books OP? Sure you could answer any questions for them too?

 

[Mince Pie]

Nicnac, with all due respect those who are learning 'on the job' so to speak are usually on a livery yard with someone knowledgeable to hand if they get stuck. OP's parents are in their own house, with a single pony who, due to his type (I can't see photo so going on descriptions) is going to need careful management. If they want to keep the pony then they will need a companion and someone who can advise them, I would seriously suggest they get a 'livery' in who could possibly get free grazing in exchange for them keeping an eye on the existing pony and teaching them what they need to know about horse management.

 

[Dubsie]

I'd send them a copy of something like this: http://shop.pcuk.org/books-dvd-s/books/keeping-a-pony-at-grass.html

 

[Kittykins]

Insurance in NZ and Australia not the same deal as in the Uk - i would not insure a pony - the premiums are likely to be excessive. I would self insure. None of our horses are insured - very few people except those with performance horses/race horses/show horses (and not even most of them) would insure.

It should not need rugging ever - unless it has no shelter and raining forever.

Paddock rotation may not be possible - I would be more concerned about it having limited access to excess grazing than rotating paddocks. Really depends how good the fencing is - one secure yard/paddock is better than multiple not secure paddocks

Main things trim feet every say 6-8 weeks, dental once a year, worming a and make sure not too fat or bored. It's a pony they are tough and usually inexpensive to keep and easy to maintain. I would not stress too much.

Thanks for this, I hadn't thought too much about differences between the two countries. I'll let them know.

Sorry but I think that comment is unfair. ok, it's not rocket science but if it was so straight forward why do you think we have a forum full of people asking advice? It's quite easy to kill
an animal with kindness.....I don't think OP is making a big deal, just being responsible.

Are ur mum and dad taking an interest in the pony-Maybe they could have a look at some pony care books OP? Sure you could answer any questions for them too?

Thank you. Not stressing, just very aware that my step-mum is the type to have taken it on so that she can enjoy looking at the pony out in it's field all day, without giving thought to the cost or care involved. And I wouldn't want the pony to suffer as a result.

I can give them some advice, but mine has always been on livery so I've never had to think about things like grassland management or rotating as that's always been taken care of for me, and to be honest, wouldn't really know where to start.

I'll put the taking in a livery idea to them. Sounds like a good plan.