Keeping a pony in an orchard

[smallbutgreat]

My friend is considering buying a pony for her sons and keeping it in her large orchard (don't know size, but has a least 30 trees.

Don't know if this could be suitable. We talked about the fencing, water supply and possible problems from apple lands falls (not many, they pick them for the local cider press. She's wondering about removing the trees from a portion and strip-gazing.

Any views? Do apples and ponies go together? I've tried raising issues like where can they ride out, if they can get instruction etc., who looks after when they are away but my friend is rode in her terms and says she feels fairly confident.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Appart from the obvious concerns re: pony eating apples and affects on the pony of any fugicides/insecticides which might be used on the trees, has she considered what damage th pony could do to the trees through bark chewing etc..?

 

[Lou23]

My Pony used to eat the apples when they were attached to the trees.i used to bring him home occasionally and put him in the garden. My parents were not that pleased as he would help himself to my Dad's favourites.

 

[Divasmum]

Too many apples and ponies do not go together because of the risk of colic.

 

[niaismyname]

My friend keeps a 13.2hh PC pony and 15hh cob in an orchard, and has never had any problems. As long as the fallen apples are picked ASAP, after they have dropped, there shouldnt be a problem.