new pony - care tips and advice needed

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stanley101

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Hi

The new pony has arrived. I was planning on having her live out but as we are now covered in snow she is now stabled. This is the first pony I have owned so tips and advice needed.

Is it okay to stable her for a month, then when the weather gets better try her living out again? She was out last night but really unhappy this morning. So we have put her in.

Also if she does stay stabled, how often do you muck out and can I do it at random times of the day as I work odd hour's.

Also if anyone has any tips, advice please speak now!!

Ta
 
Did you not look into how to look after a pony before you bought one?!
Just asking, as it seems a bit odd that you don't seem to know whether to let her out or not?!
If she is a native pony, then turn her out and leave her out, she wont melt, just make sure she has plenty of hay/water.
If you have restricted turnout then thats different.
If she's in then muck out pm and am, or more if you are around; again make sure she has ad lib hay.
We have snow and all three of mine live out.
Go to the library and get some books and do some reading, ask other people, anything to make you more knowledgeable
 
Whatever happens please do not leave your horse in a stable for a month! What breed is she? Does she have a big coat? Are others in the field at the moment? What livery ar you on? (assuming diy) what are the others doing?

Put her out in the day and bring her in at night. Make sure she has enouh forage to last so hay in the field in the day if you are allowed and then lots at night to keep her going.

Horses need regular exercise so being stabled 24/7 will not help at all, if for some reason you have to stable her make sure she gets exercise both AM and PM, as standing around are not how horses are designed. If possible try and stick to a routine as horses feel much more secure when they are in a routine, so even if you work odd hours try and keep things regular with her (you may be able to find help at the yard)
 
Are you keeping her at a livery yard? If yes, ask for advice from your YO. Also talk to your local riding stables and they should be able to give you stable management lessons (there are also several qualifications you can work towards if you enjoy that sort of thing). There are many good books out there, the Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship is still one of the best.

Did your pony live out before? Is she clipped? If she is used to living out, your field has a bit of shelter (natural shelter, like trees and hedgerows is fine) and she has a rug when she needs one, she should be fine. If you do stable her, only do so overnight - during the day you should turn her out for as long as possible otherwise she will get very bored and perhaps very naughty.

Regarding mucking out - you need to muck out properly at least once a day (someone from your yard will need to show you how to do it) and depending on how long you leave her in her stable you may need to skip her out again.

Main things to think about: keep her food simple and low energy, turn her out as often as possible, ride her often but keep it simple to start, e.g. hack out with another sensible horse until you are sure you are both safe.
 
Okay my message obviously came across wrong. Its hard sometimes typing what your thinking and getting the message across right.

I have no intention of leaving her in a stable 24/7, I meant at night. The question was is it ok to stable at night for a month and then when the nights get a bit warmer try her living out at night?

I have lots of knowledgeable people around to help I was just a bit excited and thought I woud ask for tips thats all.

Thanks
 
I am sure she will be fine with that.

My horses are stabled at night over the winter (usually 4-6 months depending on the weather) and out 24/7 the rest of the time and that works fine. Last year they went out beginning of February, but this year they are still in overnight because of the horrible weather.
 
yes that would be fine, although if shes warm enough and theres plenty of grass or hay theres no reason why she cant live out. mucking out, if shes in at night then out in the day it doesnt matter when it gets done, although try and get her turned out and brought in at the same time every day if you can as it will help her settle in to a routine. can we have some piccies??!?!
smile.gif
 
My horse lives in at night all through the winter. Its the rule at our yard anyway, but even if it wasn't, i'd be inclined to bring her in at night because she is getting on a bit, and likes her stable comforts. She lives out 24/7 quite happily all through the summer, with just a light rain sheet if we have a more traditional summer!

If she's out during the day, you'll need to visit 2x per day (turn out and bring in) so jsut do your mucking out at whichever end of the day suits you. I always muck out in the morning, as I only have time for a very brief visit in the evening, but i have a lot more time in the mornings. As long as the bed is clean by the time you bring your pony back in, it doesnt matter when you do it.
 
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