Holiday cover for ponies kept at home

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Just checking what's reasonable to expect, and to pay.

Ponies are currently on soaked hay, but that's a total PITA to do, because there's no tap in the yard, so I have to soak it by the back door and then wheel it up the (steep!) driveway, then manhandle it across the cattle grid, and finally down the steps onto the yard. This seems like a bit of an unreasonable ask (even though I do it twice a day every myself!) Should I just not bother soaking the hay for those 3 days? They're only on soaked hay for weight maintenance, and because I'm too scared to stop soaking now I've started- neither pony is actively laminitic at the moment.

And realistically hay/water/muck out won't take anything like a full hour, but I feel I should pay for a full hour each end of the day, just to make it worth someone's while. £25 a day? £30? It's only for 3-4 days.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I pay a min of £20 a day, more if increased aggro (foot poulticing etc).
That's for 10/15 mins poo picking twice daily, check fuzzies and refill water etc.
Usually it's just for 2 x mini shetlands, but once a year I try and get away for a few nights, so there is B Fuzzy too. None are difficult to do, I try and go when weather nice enough for no rug changing, no stable muck outs etc.

If I was soaking hay, then unless it was medical reason to do so, I'd not worry for a few nights.

I hand out £30 a day if mucking B out and rug changing is involved. The smalls stay out if I'm away.

Yes, I know I can do both visits inside 40 mins total (25 in morning and 15 in evening) but I pay for peace of mind responsible cover. (My yard cover either lives under a mile from yard, or passes my gate twice daily, depending on which person is doing them)

 

[Goldenstar]

would they eat something like top chop zero ?
if so I would half the hay and make it up with straight chopped straw .

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

would they eat something like top chop zero ?
if so I would half the hay and make it up with straight chopped straw .

They'd eat ME if I stood still long enough. Straw is a great idea.

 

[Ceriann]

I pay £15 a day if mucking out - I have 3. Person who does it for me is literally 5 mins down the road. I would keep it as simple as possible if it’s just a few days. I pander to mine a bit - they come in during the day etc. I’m away for a few days next week and will prepare for them to be turned out and just have them checked a couple of times a day.

 

[ester]

We pay £7 per pony per visit. We have two and she comes a reasonable distance. One is easy, one has more specific requirements (that would be mine. . .)

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

I pay £15 a day if mucking out - I have 3. Person who does it for me is literally 5 mins down the road. I would keep it as simple as possible if it’s just a few days. I pander to mine a bit - they come in during the day etc. I’m away for a few days next week and will prepare for them to be turned out and just have them checked a couple of times a day.

I'm realising this too! I'm always popping out there and bringing one in for a couple of hours, or putting one out, or putting fly rugs on/off if the sun comes out/ wind picks up/it might rain/it does rain etc etc. I'm just going to have to keep it simple, keep the fattest fattie in all day, even if it makes her a bit sad, and leave the delicate princess out all night, even if looks like it might rain ??

 

[ester]

lol yup we do that too, fly rugs off at 10pm!

 

[Muddywellies]

Mines on soaked hay but if I'm away a few days and friends are doing her, I just let her have dry hay. I feel guilty asking people to soak it as it really is quite a faff. If we're away longer and she goes to my trainers yard then I request she has soaked hay. It's a professional yard and they are geared up for it.