The ultimate summer to-do list!

Summery days hanging out with ponies are the dream, but even though there’s more time to be spent in the saddle, we can’t forget to carry out some important jobs that will keep our four-legged friends happy and healthy. Here’s our list of essentials!

Food for thought

You might find that your pony is carrying a few extra kilos after the flush of spring grass, so book in an appointment to speak to your vet about how best to manage his weight so you can carry on having hours of fun! If he’s overweight, you might put increased strain on his joints during exercise which can increase his risk of injury.

It’s important his diet remains fully balanced, but you might be advised by a nutritionist to look into lower calorie options or reduce his portion sizes, if possible. Be sure to add in electrolytes to his feed to replace any nutrients lost during sweating and keep his muscles in good working order!

Scoop it up

Ponies are usually turned out more during the warmer months, which means there’s more poo picking to do! It might not be the most glam job, but it’s essential for your pony’s health so try to stay on top of it by doing it two or three times a week.

Remember to carry out a worm egg count on your pony, too! You can ask your yard manager or vet for advice on how to do this.

Top tip

Keep your pony’s waistline in check and quickly spot any changes by weight taping and body condition scoring him regularly.

Perfect paddock

Keeping your pony’s water trough clean and full to the brim will help him stay hydrated. Be sure to check it every day and top up if it’s not automatic. When it gets dirty, you can clean it out to remove any debris – an old sieve is really handy for removing leaves and bugs!

Checking the field’s fencing on a daily basis will help keep your pony safe, too. Look out for any electric fencing that has come loose or rails that are sticking out – ponies like to play and try to eat the grass on the other side, so you never know when something might get broken!

Top tip

Remember that poisonous plants keep growing throughout summer, so keep an eye out and ask for help to remove them safely.

Bug battle

The worst thing about summer is the number of bugs, and they can be really irritating for you and your pony! Now might be the time to hang up fly traps around the yard and have a deep clean of your stable to remove any nasty smells that could be attracting the flies.

Don’t forget to keep on top of your fly spray supply, too! You don’t want your pony to get bitten because you ran out so always make sure your grooming kit is stocked up.