Prevent tummy trouble in ponies

We all know how miserable it is to have a painful tummy – but did you know that you can help your pony avoid digestive issues by feeding him correctly?

Dietary matters

It’s important to pay attention to your pony’s diet and provide him with everything he needs. Ponies have evolved to eat little and often, and need plenty of forage (grass, hay or haylage) to keep their digestive systems working normally.

Gastric ulcers

When ponies get gastric ulcers, they develop sores on the inside of their stomach which are uncomfortable, and even painful. Stress is a big cause of gastric ulcers, but if your pony’s not getting everything he needs from his diet, this can cause problems, too.

If your pony’s affected by gastric ulcers he might…

• not like being groomed or touched in the girth, belly or flank area
• dislike being tacked up
• be reluctant to go forward when ridden
• show a general change in behaviour
• lose weight unexpectedly
• have a dull coat
• go off his feed
• pass loose droppings

If your pony fave pony shows any of these signs, it’s important to speak to your vet to find out what to do.

TOP TIP

To find out what’s the best diet for your pony, speak to a qualified equine nutritionist – many feed companies have free advice lines.

Did you know?

Saliva is made when your pony chews and helps to buffer natural stomach acid and protect the stomach lining.

Colic

Colic is another common issue that can affect ponies. It causes pain in the digestive tract and can be serious. Here are some of the main symptoms to look out for…

• loss of appetite
• sweating at rest
• being restless
• not pooing
• turning and looking at his flanks
• lying down and standing up more than normal
• rolling a lot

TOP TIP

Colic is always an emergency, so call your vet immediately.

Did you know?

Forage is the name for animal feed made from dried plant stems. Hay and haylage are made from dried grass, and chaff is made from a mixture of dried grass, straw and other plants. Cool, huh?

Food for thought

The good news is, by feeding your pony in the right way, you can help reduce the risk of gastric issues. Here’s what to do…

• Feed plenty of forage. When your pony’s stabled, or if there isn’t enough grass in his field, this means feeding hay or haylage. You can also give high-fibre bucket feeds, such as sugar beet, high-fibre nuts or chaff based feeds, to provide extra fibre
• Give your pony 2-3 double handfuls of chaff before you ride. This helps to prevent digestive juices from splashing up the sides of the stomach, which can cause ulcers
• Keep bucket feeds small. If your pony needs lots of hard feed, split it over more, little feeds each day
• Turn out for as long as possible. This adds even more fibre to the diet, increases saliva production and gives your pony time with his friends, which reduces stress levels
• When travelling, provide a haynet. This means your pony can eat whenever he wants to, helping to reduce stress levels
• Make sure your pony has constant access to clean, fresh water and that he’s drinking well
• Never feed mouldy feeds or forages as they contain toxins that can be harmful to your pony and make him ill
• Don’t allow your pony to go for long periods without food as this reduces saliva production, increases the amount of digestive juices produced and can cause stress
• Keep feeding routines the same. This helps the digestive tract to function properly and reduces stress

TOP TIP

If your pony’s prone to laminitis or weight gain, ask your vet to advise you on what’s best for his management routine.