Addressing the most important topic in the horse industry Equine welfare has always been a concern in horse sport, and here at HQ Pony we believe in putting our ponies’ welfare first EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. As horse riders have become more aware of the importance of equine welfare, people are not only being called out for cruelty but also […]
Introducing our equine welfare series Read More »
Ponies should have a diet based around forage. Forage includes hay, grazing, high-fibre cubes, chaffs, and even super fibres such as soya hulls and beet products. Without fibre, which is the main type of nutrition in any form of forage, your pony’s digestive system cannot function as well as it should. Energy from forage Fibre
Hay cubes and chaffs Read More »
By Shelley Wolhuter Sometimes you get a feeling in your gut that tells you something about your pony is off. There may be nothing obviously wrong, but your instincts whisper to look closer. Horses and ponies are excellent at hiding their pain or discomfort, for good reason. It is what keeps them alive in the
What to do when you think your pony might be ill Read More »
Whether you ride your pony competitively or just for fun, you want to keep him looking and feeling his best. Of course, exercise is a crucial piece of the health puzzle, but your pony must also get the ideal amount and type of nutrition. Here we look at the suitable types of feed for your
Feeding to build muscle Read More »
Determine your pony’s age by his teeth Telling the age of your pony by his teeth is not too difficult when he’s young. However, it does get a little more difficult as he gets older because other factors start to play a role. For example, different grazing conditions cause different wear patterns on the teeth,
What are sarcoids? Sarcoids are a form of skin cancer that can affect ponies of all types and ages. These tumours vary in size, shape, and appearance, so they are not always easy to spot. Although they’re a form of cancer, they don’t spread to other organs in the body. However, they can grow and
DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE Degenerative joint disease (DJD), often referred to as arthritis, affects most ponies and horses at some stage of their lives. It is normally a slow developing chronic disease of the joint in which the joint surface (cartilage) wears down, resulting in pain and lameness. Causes of arthritis: Gradual wear and tear to
Common causes of lameness, Part 6 Read More »
SYNOVITIS Synovial membranes line the inside of joints and produce fluid to lubricate joints and help bones to move smoothly over each other. In addition, synovial fluid helps to give the joint nutrients and to remove waste. If a joint is injured, the synovial membranes become inflamed. The membranes produce more fluid than they should,
Common causes of lameness, Part 5 Read More »
TENDON TEARS In our last post we discussed tendon inflammation. If caught early enough tendon inflammation can usually be managed with no additional issues. However, if tendon inflammation is not detected early, or our pony sustains a sudden big injury, the tendon can tear. The lameness with a tendon tear is usually severe, and depending
Common causes of lameness, Part 4 Read More »
TENDON INFLAMMATION The extensor tendons run down the front of the legs and the flexor tendons run down the back of the legs. These tendons become inflamed when overstretched or subjected to abnormal forces. This inflammation tends to occur when a pony is overworked, particularly over jumped; has a bad landing after a jump; is
Common causes of lameness, Part 3 Read More »
