Knowledge
Nutrition Focus
Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist
Yard Focus Harry Muddle Burningfold Polo Club My purpose of doing the Yard Focus features is to provide a bit of an insight into how polo ponies can be fed and managed in different ways, but still achieve the same end result – horses playing and looking well throughout the season. Whilst we tailor diets as the season progresses, we must of course ensure their diets are nutritionally balanced – after all a lot of players are mindful of their own nutrition, so why not their horses too! For the October issue I wanted to focus on a relatively new yard to me. I
was introduced to Harry Muddle, a 2 goal player based at Burningfold Polo Club in Surrey, and his long standing groom, Carlos Moyano, three seasons ago, by a client of mine, Jo Stuart. They had been convinced it was a good idea to chat about feeding their polo ponies in a slightly different manner, primarily by increasing their fibre intake and adding a balancer to their rations. There were a few raised eyebrows to my suggestions and a lot of questions asked, but in the end, Harry and Carlos slowly
began adapting a different feeding regime to their barn of horses. To my delight they have really embraced my way of thinking, and so far, they feel the changes have had a positive impact on his string; Carlos I am sure, as many others do too, curses me when constantly having to fill up pesky hay nets! Although the season started late, Harry has played over 70 games, which also brings with it a lot of travelling. The horses have played and look well by combining just two mixes, Baileys No.21 Ease & Excel and No.6 All-Round Endurance Mix to meet the energy requirements for the individual. Once polo was up and running, the focus was on All-Round Endurance Mix to increase the starch intake of the diet and provide ‘quick release energy’, but during times when games were a little more sporadic this was reduced and Ease & Excel increased – with the main focus on maintaining a balanced diet. So, let me introduce you to the chosen four…
Beaujangles
Diet For Hard Work • Two level round bowl Stubbs scoops of No.21 Ease & Excel Mix per day • Two level round bowl Stubbs scoops of No.6 All-Round Endurance Mix per day • Two measuring mugs of Stud Balancer per day • Half a scoop of Fibre-Beet per feed
Photography courtesy of Lorna Edgar
A 12-year-old, 15.1hh, Irish Thoroughbred who has been with Harry for seven years. She generally holds her weight well, but sometimes can need more energy, especially when polo gets busy. She is the boss of the yard and field but is very easy to look after during the winter and summer and a dream to work in sets! Beaujangles is a go to favourite for Harry as she is always reliable at any level of polo, she gives him confidence to make any plays on her and she will always give 100%. This summer she won Best Playing Pony at Black Bears.
Beaujangles is 12-year-old, 15.1hh, English Thoroughbred
Squanda
A nine-year-old, 15hh, bred by Peter Hewitt. She has been with Harry since a two-year-old and is quite a character with a great sense of humour and always up to something amusing! She generally holds her weight well and always has plenty of energy throughout the season. As long as Squanda can dunk her hay, she is happy! Diet For Hard Work • Three level scoops of No.21 Ease & Excel Mix per day • One level scoop of No.6 All-Round Endurance Mix per day • Two measuring mugs of Stud Balancer per day • Half a scoop of Fibre-Beet per feed
Squanda is a nine-year-old, 15hh, bred by Peter Hewitt
42
Polo Times, October 2020
www.polotimes.co.uk
