A pony is a small horse and quite easy to care for. The animal's stomach, in accordance with its size, is also small, so it does not require a lot of food. The correct dosage and quality of food when feeding your pony will help keep your pet healthy.
Features of feeding ponies
Ponies need to be fed 3-4 times a day in small portions and do not forget about drinking plenty of fluids. It is advisable to change the water 2 times a day so that it does not lose its freshness.
Portion sizes are determined by the physical activity and age of the horse. An important role in the choice of food is played by the place where the pony is kept - open air or a stall. An animal that grazes in a meadow all day needs only drink and supplements prescribed by a veterinarian.
Ponies are very fond of sweet vegetables - sugar beets and juicy carrots. But if you overdo it with fresh vegetables, your pet can get an upset stomach. Therefore, let the sweet be for the pony not the basis of the diet, but a pleasant delicacy, which is given 1-2 times a day, little by little.
How to graze a pony
For full grazing of one animal, 0.4 hectares of meadow with lush grass are needed. If in this area there is no stream or river with a watering hole, you need to put a drinker. The field must be constantly cleaned of harmful weeds, manure and debris, otherwise the pony will refuse to eat grass.
When there is little vegetation in the meadow, you can add fresh hay to the animal's diet. It is sold in bales or bags. When buying, be sure to check if the hay is moldy! Dry grass is hung out on special feeders corresponding to the growth of the pony.
Basic rules for feeding ponies
• Feeders, drinkers, pasture and stalls must be kept clean.
• Do not give ponies sweets, chocolates, sugar, fresh bread or pastries.
• Apples, beets, carrots and special treats for horses can be used as treats for ponies.
• Follow the diet, feed the ponies at the same time.
How to feed your ponies in winter
Hay does not contain as many vitamins and nutrients as fresh succulent grass. During those periods of the year when the pony cannot feed on the pasture, you need to give the animal a specialized concentrated feed. Nutritional mixes contain ground barley, sunflower, rapeseed, bran and soy along with vitamins and minerals.
To prevent the pony from accidentally injuring itself, choose a feeder from soft plastic or rubber. Such dishes do not crack, forming sharp fragments, and successfully withstands the weight of the animal if the pony suddenly decides to lie down in the feeder.
It is better to equip an automatic drinker in the stall, which will constantly supply the animal with fresh running water. If you do not have the opportunity to do it, change the water 1-2 times a day.
