Tummy tastic

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.

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

Discover more ways to keep your pony’s tummy happy in January PONY – out now!