As I seem to be sitting back and observing more and more these days there are a few things that may be helpful to some of the new people entering the world of  breeding and foal raising.  I had several youngster come to the farm for breaking this year in order to teach a couple of my college age riders how to actually break a pony from start to finish.  We had some two year olds and some three year olds.  Great project and it is a rewarding thing to pass along what I have gathered over all these years.  One thing did become apparent.  There are four important things anyone raising a youngster should have their pony doing by the time they are yearlings.

1. Stand tied quietly
2. Stand quietly to have their feet trimmed
3. Stand quietly for fly spray
4. Stand quietly to be hosed off

Standing quietly is obviously important, and it is important while you are doing anything around them.  But this is something that a yearling can do.  And these are all things that involve desensitization. This is very important.  The fly spray and the hose allow the youngster to be “touched” all over without your putting your head and body in harms way. Feet trimming and tying involve obedience.  This is all fundamental training for the two year old to start kindergarten without any trauma.  If your foal can do these four things, the breaking process will be oh so much easier for everyone. 

There are some good books out there on colt training. All the gurus have something out. John Lyons has one called Bringing Up Baby, it is quite clear and great photos.  So something to do while you are waiting for your foal to mature. And a great selling feature if you should sell them along the way.

---

QuiessenceTM is a Magnesium/Chromium supplement that has been shown to have a protective and weight loss benefit for cresty-necked, founder-prone, “pre-cushinoid” or “insulin-resistant” horses and ponies.  It also acts as a calmative for nervous, tense or tight-muscled animals.

LinProTM is a high-quality flaxseed-based total vitamin and mineral supplement that does not contain carbohydrates, so is safe and healthy to feed overweight or founder-prone horses and ponies.  Can be fed with hay alone.  Promotes excellent hoof growth, beautiful coat, energy and stamina.

Feed Fat. One of the things that we are finding, especially with the working ponies is that fat is still a necessary factor in their diet.  So if you are feeding a low carb grain and chopped forage, make sure you add a couple of ounces of oil (I like the corn oil) to the feed.  Fat is different for equines vs humans (wish it were so for us), and they do need it for the muscles to work properly.  So check your labels and see what fat is in the diet, again especially for those that are in work.  Any questions, check with the vet or the nutritionist for whatever feed you are serving.  Triple Crown Complete is a good one or I feed the Triple Crown Chopped forage and Triple Crown Lite with 2 oz of corn oil.   

Southern States/Triple Crown Feeds. For those of us lucky enough to have access to the Southern States/Triple Crown Feeds, we have a great line of nutrition perfect for our ponies. One thing native ponies don't need is high protein and lots of sugar. Thru Triple Crown's line of Chopped Grass (good quality Timothy Hay) and Chopped Alfalfa, one can add water and provide the two most important elements for a pony's diet and thus a healthy working gut.....fiber and water. In addition we look for grain (if they get any at all) that is low in protein, high in fat, low in carbs, but the necessary elements to balance their intake. With Triple Crown Lite, Triple Crown Complete (for those hard working performance ponies), and the new low carb feed, there is plenty available to create a solid food source for ponies. Southern States also provides the Equimin block and loose mineral/vitamin source.

I have for many years used the Chopped Grass and Chopped Alfalfa for the foundation of the feeding program here at SingleTree, with added water. I literally top dress it with Lite or Complete (depending on the pony's job and needs). I also use the Chopped Grass on long haul's....half water and half forage....keeps the ponies drinking on the trip and when they get to a new destination. I quite often send a bale of the chopped forage with a pony going to a new home. I use the chopped Alfalfa for the foals, pregnant mares, my older stallion, Valentine, and those in heavy work. This way I am not keeping bales of alfalfa in the barn constantly worrying about mold and the quality of the hay. Triple Crown provides consitent quality and available quantity all the time.

Now, what about the folks that can't run to the Southern States store? Use the base of fiber and water for your foundation....lots of good hay and water....keep the carbs low and look at the quality of feed you are using. Several of the feed companies today and coming around on this philosophy. Get out of the sugar business....get away from so much corn....although corn oil for some reason is a good thing to metabolize fat in a working pony....go figure. Talk to the companies that are actively addressing the issues of insulin resistance and "easy keepers"......stay with the companies that have quality products....talk to their nutritionists, and ask lots of questions. Pay attention to the pastures your ponies are grazing. Send me a note, I will be glad to try to head you in the right direction. We just have to rethink how we feed these beasties.

Food for thought. Susan

---

www.bestfriendequine.com/ - grazing muzzle
www.horsesaddleshop.com - Dartmoor Pony Package -Western saddle with English Stirrups for small children for $300.
www.foxdenequine.com/ - Makers of Quiessence, TractGard, LinPro and LinGro
www.ponyteamusa.com/ - Be a part of our team!
www.dartmoorpony.com - official site of the Dartmoor Pony Registry of America
www.carriagedriving.net/ - for driving info and supplies

www.ptdeutermann.com - my husband is the author of 11 suspense novels, great for those long trips to the shows, etc. Available in both print or audio versions.