What's a good daily routine?

[HorseyHan100]

I have a 16 yr old pony who is still very active. What sort of daily routine should I be doing with him? (Feeding/ exercise/ Grooming) I think i'm doing to little.
Can anyone help.
Thanks

 

[Weezy]

Why don't you tell us what you do now and then we can see if you are doing too little - TBH so long as he is being checked at least twice a day he is prob fine!

 

[HorseyHan100]

At the moment I check him when I feed him in the morning and evening. I groom him every couple days. But I only ride him once a week which I think might be to little. I get him in the stable whenever it is bad weather. Should he be stabled every night?
Thanks

 

[Weezy]

Horses are made to live out - so long as he has plenty of shelter should he need it (hedges and trees are also shelter, not just structures) then he will be fine and dandy. There is absolutely no need for him to come in at night if he has this.

Checking twice a day is absolutely fine, and checking that the rugs (should he wear rugs) are not rubbing or twisting is enough. I do not groom unless I am riding, and then it is a flick over the head and saddle area.

As for exercise, well that is entirely up to you. No point in having a ragingly fit horse if it is not necessary for what you want to do. Winter is grim anyway, so a lot of people curb their riding time. As he is getting on in years however, gentle exercise may benefit his joints.

So long as your pony is happy and healthy then I wouldn't worry

 

[HorseyHan100]

Thanks that helps a lot.

I think i'll leave him out as I am doing now, because he does have a field shelter. I will probably ride a bit more often as he does seem very active when out so could probably benefit from it.

 

[MagicMelon]

I agree, leave him out. As long as he has shelter and is rugged / fed as necessary then Im sure he's fine. With my 2 oldies, I take them out in hand sometimes, just down the road or whatever. Keeps them happy!

 

[twisteddiamond]

i have a sixteen yr old, i ride him as often as i can hes checked twice a day fed watered groomed etc hes in at night at the mo and rugged during the day what you are doing seems fine if you have time to ride more, ride more as long as your horse is sound enough to take it

 

[Breezesbenefactor]

Leave him out, don't over groom the tail or mane - finger groom if anything when you wash it. Also I scrub her feet with detol once or twice a week and purple spray to keep down risk of thrush etc especially when it's as muddy as it is at the moment. If you're oly riding once a week keep an eye on the weight

 

[oliviacharley]

I agree with weezy - my old pony who is 29 does like to come inside every now and then and I do worry about her being outside but she likes it....I have trouble catching her when I have been grooming her regularly and she is quite happy in the field with me just checking her over and making sure she is ok.
I have a big warm rambo on her and there are loads of trees for shelter.
Each weekend I have to try and catch her to groom her and check her but is pretty happy just being left be in her field.