What do I need for my yard!?

[muckypony]

Hello!

I am renting a paddock and stables that are in the back of someones garden. There are two stables and the paddock is about 1.5-2 acres. I will have two shetland colts (when they are weaned!) and I just want to make sure I have everything I need!

So far I have...
All mucking out things as i was on DIY (wheelbarrow, forks, brooms etc)
Lots of tub trugs for feed/water/skipping out buckets
All grooming things (although I think I will treat my boys to some of their 'own' )
Rubber matting to put down
Shavings
Hay (will be collecting it nearer the time)
There are tie rings/saddle racks/bridle racks etc already there
Endless amounts of tack that wont fit them but i have things like leadropes/lunge lines etc that always come in handy.

I dont have feed just yet but will get it nearer the time (thinking hi-fi and pony nuts as thats similar to what they are currently having).
I am in the process of buying electric fencing (on top of original fencing as i know they are escape artists!) so if anyone knows where i get get this a little cheaper ill be very grateful!
I dont yet have headcollars for them yet but will get them nearer the time so i dont get them in the wrong size!

Am I missing anything important or anything that you think will make my life a lot easier!!?

Thanks!

 

[WelshD]

Thats a very similar set up to mine

Feed bins
Rat bait boxes/traps
Good trunks for any rugs
Scissors on bungees dotted around in stable and feed store
Water containers if needed
Water butts if you need to harvest rainwater
Tarpaulins - they always come in handy!
Hay nets/bars/racks

 

[Twinkley Lights]

Have you measured for rugs?
Snow shovel & grit

 

[Mince Pie]

They're shetlands - do they need rugs?

 

[Twinkley Lights]

They're shetlands - do they need rugs?

They are just weaned so in a really harsh winter yes. Thinking winter before last and 3 foot snowdrifts I will never forget how bad that was and have contingency stuff in the yard for water, grit etc just in case.

 

[muckypony]

I won't be rugging them, their coats will be so thick, they are already!
I have hundreds of haynets (why do they always give hoof picks and haynets as prizes at shows!?) but I don't want to use the just yet, I'm scared they might get a foot caught being babies!
Will definitely be getting some tarpaulin!

My only problem with rat baits/traps is.... I can't use rat killer as the owners have dogs and I don't think I could deal with rats in traps by myself!
The neighbour has a cat so I'm hoping that will help me!

Thanks

 

[HBM1]

I have no experience at all of very short horses but would they still not need feed suitable for youngsters? Their bones and joints etc are all growing after all, or is that what you meant by the feed they are having now?

Also, first aid items

 

[The wife]

Insurance in case they get out?

 

[ralph and maverick]

Kettle!!!!

 

[muckypony]

I've always fed everything hifi and pony nuts as a standard feed unless they need something else for some reason?
What else should I be feeding them...?

Of course a kettle! And my yard is complete! Haha

 

[AngieandBen]

Here for electric fencing!

http://www.agri-supply.co.uk/categories/Electric-Fencing/

 

[reddie]

How you thought what you'll do with the muck heap?

 

[muckypony]

Thank you AngieandBen!

Yes I have a lot of people who have said they will want it for their gardens! And there is enough room for me to rotate it and let it rot down.

 

[Honey08]

They are just weaned so in a really harsh winter yes. Thinking winter before last and 3 foot snowdrifts I will never forget how bad that was and have contingency stuff in the yard for water, grit etc just in case.

They are Shetlands - designed to live on Scottish Islands, where it snows and is freezing!! And guess what - even in the wild up there they get weaned without rugs. To put them in a field of good grass with feed and rugs is just setting them up for a life of laminitis and EMS etc.


I would leave them access to one of the stables, with hay in bad weather, and just feed them a balancer for vitamins. You're more likely to need elec fencing to limit their grazing than you are extra feed.

 

[lula]

They are just weaned so in a really harsh winter yes. Thinking winter before last and 3 foot snowdrifts I will never forget how bad that was and have contingency stuff in the yard for water, grit etc just in case.

tosh!
shetland weanlings have survived to adulthood in the Scottish Highlands and judging by the way the breed has thrived and proliferated up there for centuries and their winters get about as harsh as you're likely to get in the UK i think they do just fine on their own without rugs. They were MADE that way

 

[MoodleCob]

Have you got any First aid stuff for you and the shetties??

 

[Samboy1004]

Have u been round and checked the fence the little ones all ways find ways to get out and have u chaseing them round for hours lol

 

[Archiepoo]

dont forget vaccinations! altho hopefully they should be microchipped and vaccinated before you get them. start to save for castration!

 

[muckypony]

I have a tonne of first aid stuff!

Have checked all fencing its not brill but I will patch it up and they will be fenced in with electric anyway.

They are going to be microchipped when I get them but I will sort out vacs and freeze marking!

 

[cindydog]

Hammer for repairs and smashing the ice in water troughs.
Fire extinguisher ( just in case ).
keep a change of clothes there.
Towels.
Bin for rubbish.
Area for muck heap.
Disinfectant.

Where is your water coming from? hoses freeze in winter, best to remove from tap daily rolled and put by, lag your pipes.
good luck..

 

[muckypony]

There's only a hose pipe but there's always the house and if they aren't in I work next door and I'm sure they wouldn't mind me getting some water! I live 2mins down the road anyway so could always fill up containers!

Thank you!

 

[zoelouisem]

Even though they are weanlings i would be in no rush to feed them anything but hay in winter. Shetties will be able to get what they need from hay and grass and not much of it!!!

 

[vickyb]

I always had a radio in my tack room as well, not necessary but quite cheerful all the same.

 

[muckypony]

Thank you everyone!!

I'll definitely be getting a radio, if anything it will just drown out my terrible singing haha!