PONY - February 2014

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Health food What do ponies need to eat for health? We take a closer look...

Eye health Vitamin A promotes eyesight through supporting the retina.

Respiratory system Vitamin C helps support your pony’s immune system if he suffers from poor respiratory health. Eucalyptus helps to aid natural drainage and clear the way for optimum lung function.

With high pollen counts in summer, and dust and fugal spores found in hay and bedding, it is vital to support your pony’s respiratory system. Ponies which live out usually have better respiratory health.

Hooves Biotin has long been recognised as key to nutritional support of the hooves. However, as with many things, Biotin works best when combined with other essential ingredients to support hoof health. For instance, cracks and splits in hooves can be a sign that your pony is deficient in zinc and copper.

Poor hoof health is an indication of bad diet – just as our fingernails can provide clues as to the vitamins and minerals in which we may be deficient.

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A question of balance A pony’s digestive system is one of a delicate balance and, as with us, it is important to get the balance right, otherwise your pony’s health could be compromised. Always look for a balanced feed for your pony – this means all the work of making sure the correct balance of vitamins and minerals have been added and mixed to ensure optimum health has been done for you. However, if you wish to feed your pony a forage-based diet (which is great for a lot of ponies), adding a feed balancer or a supplement can make sure he gets all the goodness he needs, without feeding him lots of cereals.

Stomach health Antacids help to defend your pony’s tummy from acid attack.

Gut health is vital, and sudden changes in diet can destroy the friendly bacteria in your pony’s gut, making it difficult for him to digest his feed properly. Live yeasts are proven to support gut function. Pre- and pro-biotics both support a pony’s gut bacteria.

Energy B Vitamins combined with Iron help to maintain energy levels and support energy metabolism, red blood cell production and replace minerals lost by sweating. Some Amino Acids are used by muscles in exercise. Iron can be lost by sweating and it is vital for healthy red blood cell production.

Ponies on a forage-only diet will need a supplement or balancer to provide a good balance of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients – it is even more important when paddocks are over-grazed, or when the preserved forage feeds (hay and haylage) might be low in vits and mins.

Skin

Joints Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulphate, MSM and Hyaluronic Acid are proven to support the health of both cartilage and the thick synovial fluid that oils the joint.

Just think how much work a horse or pony’s joints do, especially when he is ridden. His fetlocks, knees and hocks all take a strain when he trots, canters and gallops – not to mention when he jumps! Tendons, ligaments, muscle and soft tissue surrounding the joints all contribute to overall joint health, which is vital to keep your pony healthy, sound and working for you.

Omega Oils, MSM and Vitamin D are essential to support the skin’s elasticity and health. Skin is a pony’s largest organ, and is a good indication of his overall health. In addition, it can be quite prone to injury – there’s a lot of it exposed to wear and tear!

Thanks to NAF for their help with this feature 21

Po int s of EARS POLL

NECK SHOULDER

CREST MANE FORELOCK

WITHERS

EYE

CHEEKBONE NOSTRIL

THROAT CHEEK WINDPIPE

MUZZLE MOUTH

JAW JUGULAR GROOVE CHIN GROOVE POINT OF SHOULDER

Sole of Foot

BREAST ELBOW

CLEFT OF FROG SEAT OF CORN

FOREARM

BARS POINT OF FROG SOLE WHITE LINE

CHES

WALL OF FOOT

CANNON BONE

CORONET WALL OF HOOF

KNEE FETLOCK JOINT PASTERN

RS

the Ho rse POINT OF HIP

BACK

LOINS

CROUP

DOCK

FLANK

TAIL

POINT OF BUTTOCKS

THIGH

GASKIN

STIFLE POINT OF HOCK CHESTNUT

HOCK

TENDON ERGOT HEEL

My Secret Pony

Dreams planner!

Plan your horsey 2014 Chart your progress Make your horsey dreams come true!

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29/11/2013 14:19

Make the most of your Pony Secret Dreams Planner, and you’ll make the most of 2014 !

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This is your Pony Secret Dreams Book, so in it you’ll find lots of space to fill in your ideas, goals and achievements. Here’s how to make the most of your horsey year ahead!

Your dreams

These are your long-term goals you wish to achieve. Wanting to be chosen to ride at the Olympic Games could be described as a longterm goal – but only if you put into place lots of short term goals to help you achieve this.

Otherwise it is just a dream, not a goal. Also, it is a very long-term goal!

A good long-term goal for the year might be progressing from learning to jump to entering a show jumping, or clear round competition at your local show. Once you’ve identified your long-term goal, you need to decide what shortterm goals to set in order to achieve it!

Short-term goals

These are progressive steps to help you achieve your long-term goal – your dream!

Chart your dream progress

This gives you the opportunity to commit to your dream and plan it on paper.

For pony owners These ideas are in blue type.

For non-pony owners These ideas are in red type.

For everyone

In black type, these ideas are perfect for everyone, whether you have your own pony, or ride at a riding school.

You don’t have to stick with our ideas – what horsey dreams do you want to come true?

Now make your dreams happen!

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