So You Want a Pony . . .
By Elizabeth Henderson
Owning a pony can be a rewarding and educational experience. Teaching a child to properly care for any animal encourages responsibility, confidence, and, when it comes to equine ownership, good work ethics as well as providing some fresh air and exercise. Owning a pony is a lot of work, but for those of us that love horses and ponies the work is well worth it. However, before you rush out and get a pony, it's important to make sure that your child has the time, interest, and dedication, and that you have the financial means to properly care for a pony. Keep in mind that ponies can live for more than 30 years and that the cost of owning a pony is larger than the purchase price.
Getting Started
One of the best ways to begin learning about horses and ponies is to take lessons from a qualified instructor. Good instructors will have safe and well-trained horses and ponies and should teach you not only to ride, but also about the basics of grooming and caring for an equine. Take the time to look for an instructor that is experienced and has safe facilities. Also make sure that you are properly equipped to ride. A certified safety helmet designed specifically for riding, some paddock or tall riding boots, and riding gloves are necessary. Once you've gotten the basics down, you may want to consider leasing a pony before buying one. Leasing can provide a good idea of what it is like to own your own pony without the commitment.
Preparing for Ownership
Once you're sure you want a pony of your own, it's important to find a safe facility to keep your pony in, whether it will be on your property or at a boarding facility. A safe facility is important for both the pony and rider. It should have sturdy fences so that none of the equines living there can easily escape. Perimeter fencing should be easy for the pony to see and made of wood, pipe, stone, or vinyl. Pasture fencing can be made of the same material as the perimeter fence, or an electrified fence that is horse safe is fine as well, provided the fence is well maintained and kept 'hot.' Many types of wire fencing that are suitable for cows, such as barbed wire, are not safe for horses and should be avoided.
Even in our mild coastal climate, some shelter and a dry place to get out of the mud should be provided for the pony. A stall will provide shelter, but if at all possible the pony should have access to turnout as well, as being confined too much can lead to behavioral and health problems. Some facilities provide a stall at night and turnout in a pasture or paddock during the day. It is better for healthy ponies to be in turnout as long as possible during the day. Another good option is a pasture with a run in shelter. This allows the pony lots of freedom to exercise and play, and is a good option where the weather is decent. One concern with continual turnout that should be watched for is overeating. If the pasture your pony is in has rich grass your pony can overeat, leading to health problems, so keep an eye on his or her condition.
Good Nutrition
Equine nutrition is a complex topic, but the basics are fairly straightforward. Horses are natural grazers. This means that they are best off eating small amounts, almost continually. Personally, I like to provide my horses with access to hay or grazing 24/7 (generally called 'free choice), and minimal grain. This keeps them happy and can prevent many common health problems. Unfortunately, some horses and ponies gain weight too quickly when given free choice forage. If this happens you can either decrease the nutrient value of the forage or feed smaller, frequent meals. Many horses and ponies that have access to adequate forage do not need any additional grain to maintain healthy weight and energy. If this is the case with your pony, you can either not give any grain, or give a small amount as a treat and/or to mix with any supplements in. All horses and ponies should have continual access to fresh, clean water; it is also a good idea to provide your pony with a salt block, particularly in warm weather, to help replace the minerals they lose while sweating. Many horse and pony owners also choose to feed their horse or pony a daily wormer. These are pelleted, products that help to combat intestinal parasites and are given once a day mixed in the grain ration. It is still necessary to use a paste wormer several times a year; however most horses and ponies on daily wormer have a lower incidence of colic and better overall condition.
Training
It is a good idea, particularly for first time pony owners, to establish a relationship with a good trainer. Make sure you find a trainer who will work with the pony personally and not rely entirely on the child to do all the training. It is important for the beginning rider to learn how to handle their pony, but it is imperative that the pony be well behaved while they are learning and this requires good training. Ponies have a reputation for being troublemakers that is largely undeserved. While it is true that most ponies are naturally curious and can be mischievous, most behavior problems actually stem from lack of, or incorrect training. Many dangerous habits start out as something small that would be corrected in a full size horse, but people will often overlook the same behavior in a pony because they think it is cute. Ponies should not be allowed leeway simply because they are small when it comes to bad behavior. This can ultimately endanger the beginning rider.
Health Care
All equines require regular hoof care. Many ponies have good feet that are strong enough to not require shoes, however they still need their feet trimmed regularly, usually about once every six weeks. Some ponies will require shoes as well. This can be due to their workload and the working surface (some footing wears hoof away faster than it can be replaced for example) or shoes may be necessary to help correct an abnormality in the hoof growth. That being said, shoes, particularly when done improperly can cause problems. If your pony has strong enough feet to go barefoot it is best for the pony, and your wallet, to allow them to do so.
All equines require veterinary care from time to time. In fact, before you purchase your pony, even if buying from a reliable source, you should have an equine vet do a pre-purchase exam. This is an examination that will help you to determine the health and the fitness of the pony for your riding discipline. It should include a basic lameness exam and a series of x-rays to check for any lameness problems. Pre-purchase exams should be done by a veterinarian that you know and trust, ideally the one you will be using for regular care, not one that they pony's current owner recommends. Your pony will also need regular appointments, usually every six months, to have their teeth and overall health checked. This is a good time to make sure that your pony is up to date on all necessary vaccinations and ask any health related questions you may have. Your pony may also need emergency medical care at some point. Eye and leg injuries, allergic reactions (usually seen as hives), colic, and cuts are some of the more common emergency calls.
Owning a pony can be a wonderful experience that will never be forgotten. Take the time to learn and plan and you'll be able to enjoy the companionship of your new friend for years to come. I spent at least four years begging my parents for lessons when I was little. It finally paid off when I was seven years old and I can honestly say that riding since then has provided me with some of the best experiences in my life.
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