The Shetland Pony diet is similar to that of a light horse and does not differ much from a common horse diet. The metabolism of a pony is usually slower than that of large horse breeds which is why they have lower-energy requirements (8). Their diet should be based on good-quality forage, meaning grass, pasture, and some fruits and vegetables.
What do Shetland ponies eat?
We all know that ponies eat grass, but did you know that they are browsers and enjoy eating prickly plants like thistles and blackberries. Shetland ponies like to eat a varied diet with lots of different plants containing different minerals to keep them healthy.
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.
Are Shetland ponies good for kids?
The Shetland pony is also a great companion for other horses or ponies and it will graze your grass beautifully. Keep in mind, that if you buy a Shetland pony for your children to professionally learn and compete, your child will outgrow the Shetland at some point and it would not be a sensible option to part with your small family member then.
What is the best feed for a senior horse?
Feeds formulated for maintenance or horses in light-moderate work include Omolene ® #100 and Strategy ® Healthy Edge ® horse feeds. Older horses or seniors have their own formulations with Purina ® Equine Senior ® and Equine Senior ® Active.
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.
What do Shetland ponies need?
What Do You Need for a Shetland Pony? Shetland ponies need shelter, quality hay and grain, and clean water. Always be sure to purchase, or use, properly fitting tack on your pony.
What is a good feed for ponies?
Always feed a minimum of 1 to 1.5% of the pony's body weight in good-quality forage (hay, chaff, and/or pasture). Many ponies will maintain their body weight on pasture or hay alone, but forages may lack important minerals, vitamins, and sometimes protein.
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.
How much hay should I feed my 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.
Do Shetland ponies eat a lot?
The main part of a Shetland pony's diet is grass. He eats for as long as 16 hours per day, so can eat lots more grass than you might have in your garden.
What should I not feed my pony?
Here are some “people” foods you should avoid feeding your horse:Caffeine: Coffee, tea and cola contain the stimulant caffeine (trimethylxanthine) which can cause an irregular heart rhythm.Chocolate: ... Garlic and onions: ... Tomatoes: ... Fruit seeds and pits: ... Dog and cat kibble: ... Potatoes: ... House plants:
Can Shetland ponies eat apples?
Almost any fruits, and many vegetables, are safe treats for healthy horses. Apples and carrots are traditional favorites. You can safely offer your horse raisins, grapes, bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe or other melons, celery, pumpkin, and snow peas.
How much hay should my pony eat?
5. If your horse or pony is kept stabled for some of the time, consider how much hay or haylage you are feeding. Most horses or ponies will do well and maintain their weight on a diet that supplies 1.5-2% (dry weight) of their bodyweight in total feed per day, eg. 7.5-10kg for a 500kg horse.
Do horses like apples or carrots better?
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 is a good snack for horses?
Healthy snacks like apple slices, carrots, and hay cubes are good places to start for a treat. Many horses will even enjoy a banana. Commercially made horse treats can be a favorite for many horses and they may store and travel better than fresh fruit or vegetables when you're on the road.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
