They will feed on grass, grain, hay, including leaves, twigs, vines, and shrubs. Shetlands are also not a picky eater and will feed on what is available to them, most of the time. They can put on weight and become obese when left to feed, as much as they like. It would be best to feed them hay or grass so they will not gain too much weight.
What do you feed a pony?
Ponies need only the fraction of the feed that horses do. Hay for ponies should be good quality grass hay. Your pony probably won't need the nutrition provided by alfalfa and clovers. These fodders, which are more energy and nutrient dense than many grass hay, are often too rich for a pony. Lush pasture is a danger zone for ponies.
What do you feed your Shetland?
I feed mine handful of hifi and baileys local with aditional speedibeet over the winter whilst they are out. You shouldnt be able to feel the ribs and hip bones of a shetland. Feed then nothing !! they live on nothing ive never in my life seen a underweight shetland. Make sure you worm that could explain the big belly. Click to expand...
How do you make a Shetland pony?
To make a shetland, pony shaped takes real skill they often look hippy and pot bellied, I am a fan of protein fibre like alfalfa mixed with oat straw and a good low calorie balancer fed initially at half rate. He should weigh close to 200kg so his total food intake should be about 4 kgs dry weight a bit less once he is the right shape.
Is one section of hay enough for a Shetland pony?
That doesn't sounds like enough, even for a shetland pony. A starvation paddock over the winter will have nothing at all for him to eat, so one section of hay isn't going to be nearly enough.
How much food should I feed a Shetland pony?
Horses, minis and ponies need at least 1-1.5 pounds of hay or pasture (on dry matter basis) per 100 pounds of body weight every day.
What is the best feed for a pony?
Ponies need only a fraction of the feed that horses do. Hay for ponies should be good quality grass hay. Your pony probably won't need the nutrition provided by alfalfa and clovers. These fodders, which are more energy- and nutrient-dense than many grass hays, are often too rich for a pony.
Do Shetland ponies eat a lot?
2:014:00What do Shetland ponies eat? - TV Episode 347 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipShetland's living in the Shetland Isles. Eat very strange things indeed. They like to eat seaweedMoreShetland's living in the Shetland Isles. Eat very strange things indeed. They like to eat seaweed off the beaches. And it provides lots of delicious minerals. And nutrients for the Shetland ponies.
What fruit can Shetland ponies eat?
There are a wide variety of fruits that you can feed your horse in small quantities. Apricots, blackberries, blueberries, mangoes, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, tangerines, and watermelon (with the rind) are all safe for your horse to eat.
What do ponies like eating?
Horses and ponies are herbivores and mainly eat forage, based on grass, hay and haylage.
How long does a Shetland pony live?
20-25 yearsLife expectancy: Shetland ponies live an average of 20-25 years.
Can you feed a Shetland pony carrots?
Yes, horses can eat carrots and they typically look forward to getting them as treats. Carrots contain a bushel of vitamins that are essential for a horse's wellbeing. Always feed any treats with caution, however, and understand that they are only meant to be fed in moderation.
Can Shetland ponies eat apples?
Almost any fruits, and many vegetables, are safe treats for healthy horses. Apples and carrots are traditional favorites.
Can Shetland ponies eat bread?
While bread products are not poisonous to horses, they can get stuck in their throats and possible cause them to choke and die, which is a hazard. It's best to just not feed a horse any kind of bread! Just like humans, horses can also be lactose intolerant.
Are carrots or apples better for horses?
Sliced apples without the core and carrots are always a good go-to, but do you ever wonder what other healthy snacks your horse might enjoy? Be sure to cut any large fruit or vegetable into manageable pieces, and do not give your horse any pits or cores, which could cause choke.
What vegetables can ponies eat?
Horses enjoy celery, corn, lettuce, squash, sweet potatoes, and turnips. Vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins, too. For example, carrots are high in Vitamin A and celery is a good source of Vitamin K. Feeding these items in limited quantities is fine and your horse may actually enjoy the variety!
What foods are toxic to horses?
8 Foods You Should Never Feed to Your HorseChocolate. Just like dogs, horses are sensitive to the chemical theobromine which is found in the cocoa which is used to make chocolate. ... Persimmons. ... Avocado. ... Lawn Clippings. ... Fruit with Pips and Stones. ... Bread. ... Potatoes and Other Nightshades. ... Yogurt and Other Dairy Products.
How often should ponies be fed?
Ponies eat grass, hay, and grain on occasion. A pony typically requires a daily ration of forage equal to 2% of body weight. They may need a mineral salt block if they lack essential minerals in their diet.
How much hay should I feed my pony in the winter?
Current recommendations are to feed around 2-2.5% of the horse's current bodyweight in forage per day (24 hours). It is never advised to provide below 1.5% of the horse's current bodyweight in forage per day without seeking vet advice. If weight loss is required, you may consider feeding a lower calorie forage.
What Should I feed My 3 year old pony?
Alfalfa/grass mix hay works best. Good quality grass hays can also be fed successfully, but weanlings will likely need to be supplemented with more grain. The higher the quality of the forage, the less grain is needed.
How much grazing does a pony need?
The BHS recommends a ratio of one horse per 0.4 - 0.6 hectares on permanent grazing (1- 1.5 acres per horse). However, this recommendation can only ever be a guide as there are many factors affecting this, such as: Size and type of horse. Fat score/weight of horse.
What happens if a pony eats too much pasture?
If your pony eats too much rich pasture it could lead to such things as colic or founder. You may never be able to leave some ponies on good pasture. Ponies can become obese very quickly and that can lead to health problems like metabolic syndrome.
What happens if you feed a pony hay?
If you are feeding good hay, the pony is getting a bit of pasture and you have a mineral/salt block available your pony will be getting what he needs. If you feed treats, it’s best to consider these into the overall diet, so you won’t be overdoing it.
What is a good pasture for a pony?
Good pasture for a pony would be one that he has to work at finding the grass in. Sparse grass that grows slowly would be ideal. Or he could spend a small portion of his time on pasture and the rest in a grassless paddock. It might be necessary to keep a pony off of pasture for a portion of the day.
How long does it take for a pony to start grazing?
If you plan to keep your pony on grass introduce it very slowly. Start with 10 minutes of grazing and gradually add a few minutes each day twice a day.
What to feed a pony if it is not working?
If you like to feed your pony even if it is not working hard—and for some owners, this is a very satisfying activity—look for a concentrate that is low in calories. Some manufacturers make special pony mixes. These mixes are balanced with the correct amount of supplements for a pony.
What do you use to let a pony graze?
Some people use their round pen or a paddock where no grass grows. Another option is to use a grazing muzzle. Grazing muzzles let a pony graze, but only get a few blades at a time. The spaces in the muzzle also allow the pony to drink, so of course, make sure your pony has access to clean fresh water.
Why is my pony chewing so hard?
Hooks and sharp edges can make chewing uncomfortable because their mouths are compact and teeth, tongue, and gums can be closer together than on some horses . Don't forget to have your vet check your pony's teeth to ensure it can chew easily. You don’t want your pony losing weight because it has a sore mouth.
Why do horses need forage?
All equines need forage for calories and other nutrients, as well as fiber to help keep the digestive tract healthy. Insufficient fiber can lead to digestive problems such as colic. Hay and pasture need to be high quality for horses. The equine digestive tract does not handle poor quality forage efficiently, and very poor-quality forage may ...
What do you feed a miniature horse?
Just like people, all equines need protein, vitamins and minerals , as well as energy (calories) to support maintenance, growth, reproduction and work.
What is a commercial horse feed?
Commercial horse feeds are usually a sweet or “textured” feed or are pelleted. Sweet or textured feeds include a mixture of grains, some molasses and pellets containing vitamins and minerals. Pelleted feeds include grains ground and mixed with other nutrient sources and ingredients and pressed into a pellet form.
What is the body condition score of a horse?
In general, horses and ponies should be a body condition score 5 (moderate). Looking from the side, if you cannot see ribs but can feel the ribs easily under the skin, the horse is approximately a body condition score 5.
Do horses need hay?
However, there are some necessary nutrients commonly lacking in forages, including some minerals in fresh pasture, or amino acids, vitamins and minerals in hay. Additionally, growing horses, broodmares and working horses usually need an additional source of calories.
Can horses eat more than they need?
It’s common for horse owners to feed more than the minimum amount of forage recommended. Feeding more forage is fine as long as the total ration is balanced to provide optimal amounts of nutrients to meet the animal’s needs, including calories, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Can you feed a mini horse fortified feed?
If your horse, mini or pony is an easy keeper or gains weight easily, it may be difficult to feed enough commercial fortified feed to provide adequate protein, vitamins and minerals without causing the horse to gain too much weight. In this instance, a concentrated feed or supplement may be best.
What to feed a pony with insulin resistance?
If it’s an insulin-resistant pony, Bailey recommends offering feeds that incorporate some oil (such as flax oil) instead of purely starch-based concentrate feeds. “Oil offers calories but won’t affect the insulin levels in the same way,” he says.
How to reduce the risk of obesity in a pony?
To reduce the risk of obesity-related conditions —which might affect up to one-third of all ponies—there’s only one real solution: Feed ponies properly. Feed them off a pony menu, with appropriate restrictions, monitoring, and exercise.
Why do ponies gain weight?
So far, they’ve found that ponies—along with certain horse breeds such as Morgans, Andalusians, and some Warmbloods—tend to gain and maintain weight more easily than other breeds, simply because it’s in their genetic nature to do so.
Where did the ponies come from?
Most modern pony breeds (technically, those 14.2 hands and shorter) descended from ancient horses living in harsh climates—primarily the cold, rough lands of northern Europe, including Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Iceland. The ponies became emblematic for survival; they had adapted to glacial temperatures and low-quality forage in low quantities. The sparse grasses they found were often tough and bitter.
Do ponies have less protein than horses?
Ponies use about 10% less protein than horses. — Kathleen Crandell, PhD, and William Martin-Rosset, PhD. Pratt-Phillips agrees: “There needs to be a change in the industry standard of what ponies should look like. In the show ring, in the breeding world, they’re being rewarded for having that ‘roly-poly’ look.
Do ponies have easy keepers?
Just because ponies get labeled as easy keepers doesn’t necessarily mean they’re easier to care for. While the challenge with some horses might be keeping the weight on, with ponies it’s keeping the weight off. For that, you’ll need some body condition score knowledge and a weight tape.
Is a fat pony a good pony?
A fat pony is an adorable pony, no doubt. But it’s also a pony at risk for developing serious diseases. Feeding your pony like a pony, rather than a horse, and learning to monitor his weight and nutritional needs can help him enjoy a healthy future. And those interventions could make his risks of developing EMS, laminitis, and obesity “gone with the wind.”
1. Fencing: Shetland Ponies Are Escape Artists
This is an understatement. Even experienced pony owners can have a little trouble keeping their “little trouble” on the correct side of the fence.
2. Feeding Your Shetland Pony
They are not lawnmowers. These ponies evolved in the harsh climates of the Shetland Isles. They thrive on very little. Obesity is an enormous problem for Shetlands. Unless your pony is in very hard work there will be no need to feed concentrates.
3. Horses and Ponies Are Herd Animals
I am not overstating when I say to keep a herd animal alone is an act of cruelty. You MUST consider this before owning a Shetland pony.
6. Shetland Ponies Are Intelligent
Put a fence across your field with gaps in it. Place a bucket of food on the other side. Put a horse, a pony, and a Shetland pony in the side without the bucket. Guess who finds a gap first?
7. Owning a Shetland Pony Is Fun!!
Shetland ponies can do everything the big boys can do. But with a fluffy, cuddly panache. Check out the videos below for proof!
