3 minute read
10 TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR PONY SOUND
1. Plan regular visits from your farrier
As the saying goes, ‘no foot, no horse’ and your farrier is the best person to ensure your pony’s hooves are in the best condition and well-balanced. Regular trims every five to six weeks will keep your pony’s feet strong and sturdy.
2. Keep his hooves clean
It’s very important to pick out your pony’s feet every single day. It’s best to pick them out before and after riding and at least twice a day if you’re not riding. This helps prevent any stone bruises or thrush developing and gives you a chance to check his hoof, sole, and frog.
3. Check your pony every day
It’s much easier to treat problems if you catch them early, so check your pony’s legs every time you see him. You need to look for lumps, bumps, heat or swelling and if you notice any, call your vet right away.
4. Warm-up and cool-down properly
Warming your pony up and cooling him down for at least 15 minutes before and after exercise helps to keep the muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments healthy. We know it can be boring, but it is essential for your pony’s health and wellbeing.
5. Think about the surfaces you ride on
Remember to consider the ground you’re riding on, especially if you’re planning to do jumping or any fast work. Ground that’s too hard puts strain on your pony’s legs, and doing too much in deep mud and sand can injure muscles and tendons.
6. Outrides
Taking your pony on plenty of outrides, where he moves over uneven terrain and has to negotiate hills, is very good for building his strength and reducing the chance of injury. Do not try and do fast work on this kind of ground, but just get your pony to move carefully, and you’ll find he becomes more sure-footed and ultimately less injury prone!
7. Make sure your pony is fit enough
One of the most important things is to make sure your pony is fit enough for the work you are asking him to do. If he’s only been hacking, and you take him to a showjumping show, he is more likely to hurt himself. Instead, you need to increase his fitness gradually and build up the work over time so that he is prepared for whatever you are asking him to do.
8. Keep work varied
To get your pony as strong as possible, it is important that you keep his work varied. Weak ponies, just like weak humans, get injured easily. Make sure that you do flatwork, jumping, pole work, outrides and groundwork with your pony to make him as physically strong and well-muscled as possible!
9. Check his tack fits correctly
A poorly fitting saddle affects your pony’s way of moving and can lead to injury. Make sure to get your saddle checked by a qualified saddle fitter every six months to make sure the fit is still good.
10. Keep him moving
Plenty of turnout, combined with regular exercise, keeps your pony moving and encourages his joints to stay healthy. This is very important in older ponies, who are likely to get stiff if left standing for long periods of time.
