ponies living out 24/7 motivation to spend time with them?

justjb

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hey,
I'm looking for advice or ideas to help me out really.
I have 3 little ponies living out throughout the winter and am losing motivation to spend any tine with them, I work 5 sometimes 6 days a week and it's dark when I get up there morning and evening it's getting to the point that I am quickly checking they are ok and no bumps and lumps etc. and then leaving.
anyone else have horses living out what do u do? leave them to be well a little feral so to speak or any ground exercises you can do in the dark?
I just feel bad not spending any time with them or am I being silly?

thanks in advance for any advice or tips :)






any advice welcome
 
Atm my pony is still out and im the same I just pop down to show my face and to check up on him every couple of days. why not try lunging you dont need brilliant light after all they are going round in circles :-P
 
As long as you are not expecting any great work from them over the winter, don't feel bad about not spending much time with them - they will be quite happy in each other's company, as long as they are checked at least daily and have plenty of forage, water, etc :)
 
maybe I could try a bit of groundwork as long as I can see her next to me in the dark haha
not expecting much at all as they are minature horses two are possibly in foal and the third is the little stallion so they are a little herd pf cuties!! :)
 
We used to spend hours just grooming in the field and 'playing' with them when we just had the 2 original wildies, the more you get the harder this becomes. I quite like winter though, once I get used to doing stuff in the dark again I find it all quite peaceful.
 
I still go up twice a day mine are out 24 7 all year...in the dark winter evenings I tend to be quite quick and just poo pick, check over change rugs if needed and feed. Weekends I take more time and hack out if weather permitting and give them both a thorough groom and lots of cuddles and scratches!!
 
If they're mini's i'd either lunge or walk out in hand even for 30mins just for change of scenery can take 2 or 3 at once this way :-) I dont believe in leaving any animal for over 24hrs without being checked especially in cold temperatures. (JUST MY THOUGHTS!)
 
Ours are left out 24/7. Farmer checks they all have 4 legs a head and a tail when he brings the cows in for milking. Other than that I try to go up most days to feed and ride when I can on a weekend.

All are happy enough with each others company! I wouldn't worry too much. If we don't make it up for a few days then the farmer would let us know if there was something serious wrong. Minor bumps and cuts are a common occurence with ours.
 
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