What would you do.......

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simsav

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I know of a yard where there are a couple of youngsters (4yrs) living out, one of them is losing weight (not sure what breed she is but not very stockey) and neither of them are being rugged up. My friend is at the same yard but the ponies belong to the YO. He doesn't seem bothered with them as hasn't even handled them yet. My friend has told him that the smaller of the ponies - the one losing weight needs a rug on as she is often cold and shivering but he doesn't seem bothered.
 
right.... nature dictates that horss loose weight in winter and gain it in summer.. if they are only loosing weight now then i dont see what the problem is.if im honest... ultimate proble of livery yard.. hose owners intervering with other peoples horses, thinkin g that they know best!

At the end of the day, youngsters are better underweight than over, and loosing weight in winter is normal. spring is round the corner and we will all soon be talking about 'theres a girl at my yard and her pony is over weight i leaning back on its heals and looks like he'd got laminitis, what should i do'

What i wuld do is be vary carefull what is said and what you do as at the end of the day they are the YARD OWNERS horses.

lou x
 
They only get hay when my friend puts it out for them and have only been getting a small feed recently (last few weeks).

Don't get me wrong, I am not interfereing but I am worried for the health of this pony. She's so cold all the time. They are not directly on the YO main livery yard, just a smaller part of it with a couple of DIY stables so no one sees them except when my friend goes to see hers - maybe I am worrying over nothing but just very concerned and my friend asked me for my advice. Not sure on breed - will see if I can find out

Thanks
 
Is there a shelter. Best to leave ponies unrugged and hardy if they are to be left out imo. Would seem if it is shivering a shelter would be better than a rug.
 
Horses are not rugged or fed hay in the wild!! if these ponies are un handled then they are living life in the wild, for this reason they will drop weight through the winter months and as soon as the spring grass is through they will become well covered again. If a horse has never been rugged but lived out it naturally produces grease and oils through its coat protecting the skin from the wind and rain so although their coats look wet their skin will be protected. I am sure nature is taking its course.
 
In the wild...they would move to where there is food wouldnt they, not be fenced in a field...are they in a field? is there grass in the field they are in? If not then I am sure some hay would be appreciated...most people would feed their horses living outdoors something ie. hay as grass would be scarce with not much substance in it now during winter. just my opinion.
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No shelter, unless you count a few trees that do not really offer anything. These ponies have never had their feet checked, been wormed, vaccinated and they are in a field, with not very much grazing
 
I just got this email from my friend....

I think she is cross connemara or something...its hard to say bout weight loss, but defo this am after 1 night she was hunched up, and her bum was down-she looked weak in her back legs
 
If they have not been handled then you will not get a rug on without a fight. The best you and your friend can do is make sure they get some hay, which will heat them from the inside.
 
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