Dear Sarah

 

If as you say your mare is not fat but looks bigger in her tummy, would say she is gorging on the lush pasture you have her on, if you feed her a big hand full of chaff morning and night, with some naff pink powders in one a small scoop per day in one of the feeds will do , and when you bring her in give her ad lib hay as this will stop her guzzling  when turned out, she needs more fiber in her diet to stop the bloat plus the pink powders will settle her tummy, another herbal additive that helps mares is chamomile flower which you add to the feed it also helps the tummy , this can be bought on line from many places or your feed merchant, some ponies don't do well on grass alone, the chaff you use is not important but there are many on the market, dengie do tend to be more for the pony.

You will not have to muzzle or restrict your mare off the lush pasture, just bring her in during the day and out in night time with the feeds and hay, she will soon be much better.

You can replace the hay with dengie hi fi light it is designed as a replacer for hay.

the way that you are keeping her at the moment is like keeping you on a little bread and cheese during the day and leaving you in a sweetie shop for the night, you will eat as much as you can as you have not been give enough food for the day, makes you more hungry and more inclined to over eat, always try to feed your pony a continual supply of forage to stop this happening.

One other important thing you must never forget is keep a fresh supply of water at all times ans a salt lick for your pony.

Pleasure to help, email soon to let us know how she is.

Kind regards Teresa

 

Dear Teresa

This is fantastic help thank you very much. I would 100% say she is

gorging on the lush grass, she is one of those ponies who will just

eat and eat if there is something in-front of her - it is great to

know that I can potentially deal with this without having to move her

field and restrict her movement. I will get ordering :-)

 

Thank you again and I will let you know how she is in a few weeks time.

 

Sarah

 

 GYPSY YEARLING COB !!!

 

Hello, Some advice please would be great ! We have a yearling Gypsy Cob come to live with us yesterday. He seemed happy last night in the field next to us. This morning when we went to him, I had some bread with me that he then started to demand and push me around for. And then my daughter took him to the middle of the field on his lead rope and he starting kicking an bucking and nearly kicked her. When I went back in later to check the stable and water he was walking right up behind me nearly nudging me and being pushy. I assume he is just playing as he is a baby. But my daughter is now a little scared and any advice would be appreciated ! Thanks Sue ( love the site BTW

 

 Dear Sue
Thank you for you email problem, sounds like you have a lot to contend with, will help all i can but you can also phone me direct for advice as you will prob need lots !!! my number 07531655883.

first its not a good idea to feed a youngster from your hand, as this can make them bulshy and pushy, in a group they will barge for the best feed, he thinks you may get the best bits, feed only from a bucket even a treat, his behaviour is trying to be the boss, his social skills are not yet set so you have to be the teacher, best way is be kind but firm, dont allow his to push you, push him back and shout in a big deep voice NO, its a bit like telling a child off when they keep tugging your skirt for attention when they know its not allowed, if he trys to push you out the way, use your elbow on his chest, a nice big shove should do, remember he is a lot bigger than you in weight and size, so you like him need to use your weight and size to push him in his place, never be frightened to tell him off., one golden rule with a youngster is never hit them across the face as this can make them head shy.
second the leading across the field is prob he is not used to being led, and youngsters do have a habit of reacting like this, to them you are a toy to play with, he has no mates to play" im the boss" so will use you, best way to correct is when leading, if he zooms past and swings around, is to give him a good tug on the lead rope and say NO, best to lead him with a lunge line, much longer for you to jump out of the way with plus you still have hold of him, they can be very very tricky but, if you master the" im the boss "when he is loose he will respect you far more.
third the following you in your face is him being rude and trying to be the boss of you so again push him back on the chest and stand up tall, then tell him NO dont push, this  will have to be repeated every day, he will get it eventually and manners will form but remember babys play, push the boundrys, try to be boss, so never turn your back on him, keep and eye open, show him you are the boss.
If at all there is someone who lives close by that is a confidant horsey person, ask them if they could give you a hand as i feel that possibly this would benifit you , most true horsey people will gladly help.
Kind regards
Teresa