HaffiesRock
Well-Known Member
Any tips or suggestions on what I can do for my pony over winter to keep him happy and healthy would be much appreciated.
A bit of info to help.
I have a 10 year old Haflinger Gelding. In perfect health and very chunky. He has been on a diet since I bought him 3 months ago and although going into winter with some padding, is nowhere near as fat as he was.
He will remain naked throughout winter (unclipped) as he is fat and fury and a warm pony anyway, but I have a lightweight if he really needs it.
He is on 24/7 turnout on a sloped field of about 2 acres (stable available if completely necessary). The top third of the field is flat woodland, so plenty of shelter from rain and wind. The bottom section is currently quite muddy, but the top isnt really as the water drains well. He lives out with another mare, who will be coming in overnight as shes pampered, but there are horses on both side of the electric fence and he isnt fussed about being on his own anyway.
I work full time so can only get up once a day. The yard owner will be up during the day so they will be checked and hay can be provided if necessary (its a private yard with only my pony and the mare he shares with as liveries). He will be bought in once a day by me, checked over and given a feed of fast fibre and healthy hooves. He is currently on a small scoop of each, but can increase this if necessary. He will be ridden both weekend days (hacking of approximately a couple of hours, but mainly walk and trot on the roads. We dont have a school and it will be dark by the time I arrive in the week, but the stable block is well lit so there may be a chance I can lunge on the grass next to the stable block if the light and weather allows.
So my questions are really, how can I make winter as easy as possible for my pony, with the facilities I have?
would you provide a supplement to add to his feed to keep him healthy and bright over winter and if so, what? (He will get as much hay as he needs)
What do other people do when they don't have access to a school or floodlit area over winter?
We are only happy hackers currently so he doesnt need to be super fit, but I need him to stay trim, while being able to eat enough to keep him happy.
Any suggestions or ideas for a happy pony over winter would be very much appreciated
A bit of info to help.
I have a 10 year old Haflinger Gelding. In perfect health and very chunky. He has been on a diet since I bought him 3 months ago and although going into winter with some padding, is nowhere near as fat as he was.
He will remain naked throughout winter (unclipped) as he is fat and fury and a warm pony anyway, but I have a lightweight if he really needs it.
He is on 24/7 turnout on a sloped field of about 2 acres (stable available if completely necessary). The top third of the field is flat woodland, so plenty of shelter from rain and wind. The bottom section is currently quite muddy, but the top isnt really as the water drains well. He lives out with another mare, who will be coming in overnight as shes pampered, but there are horses on both side of the electric fence and he isnt fussed about being on his own anyway.
I work full time so can only get up once a day. The yard owner will be up during the day so they will be checked and hay can be provided if necessary (its a private yard with only my pony and the mare he shares with as liveries). He will be bought in once a day by me, checked over and given a feed of fast fibre and healthy hooves. He is currently on a small scoop of each, but can increase this if necessary. He will be ridden both weekend days (hacking of approximately a couple of hours, but mainly walk and trot on the roads. We dont have a school and it will be dark by the time I arrive in the week, but the stable block is well lit so there may be a chance I can lunge on the grass next to the stable block if the light and weather allows.
So my questions are really, how can I make winter as easy as possible for my pony, with the facilities I have?
would you provide a supplement to add to his feed to keep him healthy and bright over winter and if so, what? (He will get as much hay as he needs)
What do other people do when they don't have access to a school or floodlit area over winter?
We are only happy hackers currently so he doesnt need to be super fit, but I need him to stay trim, while being able to eat enough to keep him happy.
Any suggestions or ideas for a happy pony over winter would be very much appreciated
