ElleSkywalker
As excited as Kitty about to be a bridesmaid
Afternoon,
I have 5 ponies kept at home who I need to work out turn out solutions for the summer for. I lost my dominant mare in November who used to sort problems for me and its left me with a bit of a head scratcher. I'll number ponies below in order of dominance.
#1 - 17 year old NF mare. Mother of #3 has EMS & Cushings will be muzzled all summer.
#2 - 7 year old freisan x mare. Daughter of deceased dominant mare with a lot of attitude.
#3 - 6 year old NF x freisan gelding. Son of #1 & half bro of #2 has sweet itch
#4 - 16 year old Shetland mare. Has EMS & Sweet itch. Will be muzzled all summer.
#5 4 year old cob mare. (Yes she is below the Shetland!) Only one in work currently. Only had her since Dec.
Limitations - 2 & 3 have not been out with 4 for years. 3 as a youngster used to pick her up and try and fling her about. 2 & 3 have never been out with 5 and 2 hates 5 with a passion.
At present 1, 4 & 5 go out together in the day. Happy little group but come summer day turn out will not be ideal for 5 as she'll be better off out as much as possible while still young, also I'd rather have her in in the day for riding.
2 & 3 go out over night. Happy enough, but I found last year 3 was better going out in the day due to his sweet itch
The ideal would be 1 (in muzzle) 2 and 5 going out together over night and 3 & 4 (in muzzle) going out in day but see above 're Shetland tossing. If 2 & 5 got on 1 could go out in the day to keep an eye on Shetland.
At present they all go out in 3 acre field, post and rail fences or thick hedge with electric infront. Only bottle neck is by gate which can be fenced off with electric. In summer will be a 10m track round edge with middle left for hay. None are shod except the Shetland has who has fronts
Sooo, thoughts? My ideas are currently
A) Pony fight club.......put 2 & 3 out with 1, 4 & 5 in day and hope she keeps the peace. Done fairly soon before muzzles are needed then split into groups as above when things start to grow provided they settle
B) Put 1 out overnight with 2 & 3 for a night or two to re-establish her dominance then add 5 into mix. Keep 4 on her own in small paddock for a bit.
C) After field rolled and track up (most likely march) put 1, 4 & 5 out on track and 2 & 3 in middle for a while to get them used to over the fence. However when they do finally go out together it'll be on a track rather than whole field which could cause problems.
Small paddocks are not possible at min as heavy clay soil meaning would be a slippy mess within hours.
Any ideas people? All 5 stables can see each other so although 5 hasn't been out with 2 & 3 they can see each other.
I have 5 ponies kept at home who I need to work out turn out solutions for the summer for. I lost my dominant mare in November who used to sort problems for me and its left me with a bit of a head scratcher. I'll number ponies below in order of dominance.
#1 - 17 year old NF mare. Mother of #3 has EMS & Cushings will be muzzled all summer.
#2 - 7 year old freisan x mare. Daughter of deceased dominant mare with a lot of attitude.
#3 - 6 year old NF x freisan gelding. Son of #1 & half bro of #2 has sweet itch
#4 - 16 year old Shetland mare. Has EMS & Sweet itch. Will be muzzled all summer.
#5 4 year old cob mare. (Yes she is below the Shetland!) Only one in work currently. Only had her since Dec.
Limitations - 2 & 3 have not been out with 4 for years. 3 as a youngster used to pick her up and try and fling her about. 2 & 3 have never been out with 5 and 2 hates 5 with a passion.
At present 1, 4 & 5 go out together in the day. Happy little group but come summer day turn out will not be ideal for 5 as she'll be better off out as much as possible while still young, also I'd rather have her in in the day for riding.
2 & 3 go out over night. Happy enough, but I found last year 3 was better going out in the day due to his sweet itch
The ideal would be 1 (in muzzle) 2 and 5 going out together over night and 3 & 4 (in muzzle) going out in day but see above 're Shetland tossing. If 2 & 5 got on 1 could go out in the day to keep an eye on Shetland.
At present they all go out in 3 acre field, post and rail fences or thick hedge with electric infront. Only bottle neck is by gate which can be fenced off with electric. In summer will be a 10m track round edge with middle left for hay. None are shod except the Shetland has who has fronts
Sooo, thoughts? My ideas are currently
A) Pony fight club.......put 2 & 3 out with 1, 4 & 5 in day and hope she keeps the peace. Done fairly soon before muzzles are needed then split into groups as above when things start to grow provided they settle
B) Put 1 out overnight with 2 & 3 for a night or two to re-establish her dominance then add 5 into mix. Keep 4 on her own in small paddock for a bit.
C) After field rolled and track up (most likely march) put 1, 4 & 5 out on track and 2 & 3 in middle for a while to get them used to over the fence. However when they do finally go out together it'll be on a track rather than whole field which could cause problems.
Small paddocks are not possible at min as heavy clay soil meaning would be a slippy mess within hours.
Any ideas people? All 5 stables can see each other so although 5 hasn't been out with 2 & 3 they can see each other.
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