How to care for an unusual pony pet
Despite their exotic appearance, ponies are quite common on many farms. Their living conditions are somewhat different from large horses; not every breeder knows how to care for ponies correctly. This is not so difficult, considering that miniature horses are easygoing and calm disposition.
Who are ponies
Small, decorative horses are shown at shows in circuses and zoos. Ponies are loved by children, animals are often used to teach kids equestrian sports. There are also riding and light-harness types of ponies.
Pony housing and upkeep
This type of horse is kept in well-equipped, warm and dry stables. An important condition for the correct development and well-being of the pony is an extensive walking area. These are mobile animals that need space. It's nice to have a pasture nearby.
There should be no drafts in pony stables, as they are destructive to the pet.
How to care for ponies in winter
Insulation of the home for mini horses is not required, it is enough to beat the floor and walls with a dry board. With the onset of cold weather, a pony develops a thick undercoat, it will not let the animal freeze. Air should be allowed to flow freely into the stable. In severe frosts, the floor is covered with a thick layer of straw or sawdust.
In winter, the animal is not allowed to get wet, it is wiped dry and fed abundantly. In severe frosts, mini horses are covered with blankets.
In summer, ponies can live in open-air paddocks without any problems. When breeding several individuals of different sexes, they are provided with separate pens.
Feeding
It is not difficult to guess that ponies eat the same thing as ordinary horses - grass and hay. Concentrated feeds are given with caution, as mini horses gain weight quickly. Ponies may have allergies if they eat a lot of oats. It is manifested by itching and small rashes. Introduced into the diet and carrot, no more than 2 root crops per day.
Ponies are not given chocolate, fresh bread, or sugar. These treats are replaced with apples.
Hay is fed to ponies twice a day - half of the norm in the morning, the rest is given at night. You can divide the daily ration into 4 doses, give in small portions. A small amount of vegetables: cabbage, potatoes, beets will not harm your pet.
Feeding rules for growing ponies:
- the feeders and drinkers are kept clean, they must be washed daily;
- the pasture is cleared of manure and weeds;
- feed ponies in small portions, observing the regimen and intervals between meals;
- the daily food intake depends on the size of the animal, its activity, the availability of pasture;
- hay is always given dry.
The pony has a small stomach, overeating is detrimental to the animal.
Ponies are watered in the summer 3 times a day, in winter they are given water 2 times. It is important to provide the pet with liquid before feeding concentrated feed. In winter, the animal can eat snow.In rural areas it is not dangerous, but in urban areas the precipitation is not clean.
How to care for ponies and their hooves
It is correct to take an example from breeders of mini horses, take a closer look: how they look after ponies. On farms, horse hooves are inspected every evening, this is the most vulnerable place of a pony. If the animal often makes passes on the asphalt, the pet is shod.
In the absence of care, the hooves crack, dirt, small stones, chips get into them. The animal becomes restless, in pain. The hooves are regularly lubricated with special oil, after having cleansed the horny formation.
How to clean your hooves:
- After a walk, the stratum corneum is freed from foreign objects; you can do this with a stiff brush.
- They remove dirt, thoroughly clean the horseshoes.
- Examine the hooves for cracks.
- The pony's feet are washed well, wiped dry.
The pony's limbs are not left wet overnight. This can lead to the development of inflammation.
In winter and when it gets cold in summer, the pony's feet are not washed, the animal can get sick.
Hair care
Ponies are often not bathed as needed. Basically, wool is cleaned with brushes, carefully removing dry grass and dust.
In summer, if it's hot outside, the horse is pampered with water procedures. After washing, the pony's coat shines well. The condition of the skin and hair can easily determine how a pony is being looked after. The animal is not prohibited from swimming in natural reservoirs.
For bathing ponies, they buy special scrapers and shampoos. During the washing process, make sure that moisture does not get into the eyes and ears of the pet.
Shampoo is applied only for hair growth; it is not recommended to lather it with chaotic movements. After the foam is collected with a scraper, the body of the animal is wiped with a sponge, the soap residues are washed off with running water. Then the remaining liquid is removed with a scraper, the ponies are wiped dry with an absorbent cloth.
How mini horses are bred
A pony is a herd animal, it is not kept alone. You can keep several individuals of different breeds together. Other ungulates can also join ponies: horses, sheeps, donkeys, goats.
Breeding ponies begin at the age of 3-4 years, at this time they become adults (sexually mature). Before this period, ponies are not recommended to be crossed. But already in the year, the female and male are bred in different enclosures to avoid uncontrolled coverings.
Same-sex individuals do not conflict with each other, they can be kept several in a spacious pen.
In small farms, in the absence of proper conditions, it is better to refuse breeding ponies. This is not a cheap pleasure.
To begin with, 2–3 stallions and 5 to 6 mares are given birth. It is important not to allow crossbreeding of different breeds, to observe the pedigree. The animals are provided with quality food, good care and proper veterinary care.
How to care for a pony with illness
Pony care and maintenance are not difficult, but they determine the health of an adult horse. The pet is regularly examined, its mood, activity, appetite are monitored. Any changes in behavior should not escape the eye of the owner. The most common diseases: opoy (rheumatic inflammation of the hooves), colic. Veterinarians associate the development of these pathologies with overeating.
Skin diseases
In summer, ponies develop eczema due to insect attacks. This is an allergic irritation, a reaction to gadfly bites. Itching appears at the site of the lesion, the animal combs the wound until it bleeds. Midges sting ungulates early in the morning or at sunset. It is best to keep the ponies in the paddock during this time.
Combs on the mane and at the base of the pony's tail are formed only during the warm season. This is how summer eczema manifests itself. The affected areas are crusty, sore. Veterinary ointments are applied to them, the animal is protected from insects with a light mesh.
Ear diseases
Symptoms of pathology are manifested by scratching, strong discharge from the ear canal, the animal often shakes its head.In this case, the presence of an ear mite is suspected.
Scraping will help to confirm the diagnosis. The veterinarian takes the analysis.
Ponies have white patches on the inside of their ears. This condition is absolutely harmless, it is not a pathology.
Colic
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract often manifest as colic. If the animal often lies down and rises abruptly or rolls on the ground, this is a sure sign of ill health. When neglected, the pet becomes covered in sweat.
At the first symptoms of colic, they urgently call a veterinarian - the pathological condition is dangerous to the life of the animal.
Limb diseases
With injuries to ligaments or tendons, arthritis, ponies develop tumors on the legs. They can be hard, soft, and the skin is hot. The animal limps. A specialist will help to solve the problem.
A tumor on the lower part of the limb appears from bruises, sprains. Cold will help relieve swelling.
Diseases of ponies often occur due to the structural features of their skeleton. Dislocation of the patella is almost non-existent in large horses. Often, pathology is diagnosed in ponies. Reason: violation of the exterior of the pelvic bones, rickets. At the same time, they observe how the horse moves, then stops abruptly, limps or tries to gallop on three legs.
Ponies are strong and hardy animals, they easily adapt to difficult living conditions. A domestic horse, even with good conditions, will not last as long as ponies live. For comparison: the life expectancy of a large horse is from 15 to 17 years, sports species do not even reach 10 years. A pony can live for 30–35 years. Thanks to the success of veterinary medicine, some mini horses are celebrating their half-century anniversary. For example, in France, in one of the farms, a pony lived for 54 years.