Comments on: Do I need to feed a 17yr old pony supplement’s? http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/ Thu, 17 May 2012 15:19:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Shorty http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-4534 Shorty Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:05:14 +0000 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/#comment-4534 Yes, a good suppliment is Equilibrium, it has the essential vitamins and minerals for horses, and helps keep there feeta dn body healthy. Herbs are great, and they don't make the horse any worse, just better. Garlic is good to use all yr round,m esp winter, as it acts as a work deterant and keeps the horse healthy. Rosehip also helps, it promotes hoof growth and helps improve their coat and condition. Some herbs can not be used to gether, rosehip, camomile and garlic can, and these threee are a good mix to feed. Camomile helps keep the digestive system moving, and helps if a horse has gas or a stomack upset. A good idea is to look on teh internet and talk to herbal specilists! Another good product is Tuff Rock Conditioner, it helps promote healthy growth and insides. Look around and keep in mind, taht if your pony becomes ill or not him self, try a safe herb or treatment and call your vet if your worried, horses can live past 30 yrs old, esp ponies, also gralic will help teh joints. Yes, a good suppliment is Equilibrium, it has the essential vitamins and minerals for horses, and helps keep there feeta dn body healthy. Herbs are great, and they don’t make the horse any worse, just better. Garlic is good to use all yr round,m esp winter, as it acts as a work deterant and keeps the horse healthy. Rosehip also helps, it promotes hoof growth and helps improve their coat and condition.

Some herbs can not be used to gether, rosehip, camomile and garlic can, and these threee are a good mix to feed. Camomile helps keep the digestive system moving, and helps if a horse has gas or a stomack upset.

A good idea is to look on teh internet and talk to herbal specilists!

Another good product is Tuff Rock Conditioner, it helps promote healthy growth and insides. Look around and keep in mind, taht if your pony becomes ill or not him self, try a safe herb or treatment and call your vet if your worried, horses can live past 30 yrs old, esp ponies, also gralic will help teh joints.

]]> By: nightynightnurse http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-4533 nightynightnurse Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:25:17 +0000 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/#comment-4533 Ask the vet about particular supplements. One thing to be very vigilant about is how MUCH the pony is being fed. Ponies evolved over the years to survive on very little food. They are extremely hardy creatures that don't really need all the pampering and fussing that big horses need. If they are over fed, it puts them at risk for laminitis, which can be fatal at worst. We bought a pony several years ago with a history of laminitis, and we constantly have to watch his diet. Even a few days of overeating makes his poor feet so sore that he doesn't even like to move. It's also costlier in farrier bills as he has to be trimmed more frequently. He's a great little guy, though, the kids and my parents just adore him....heck, we all do. Just wish we didn't have the feet thing to deal with! Good luck! Ask the vet about particular supplements. One thing to be very vigilant about is how MUCH the pony is being fed. Ponies evolved over the years to survive on very little food. They are extremely hardy creatures that don’t really need all the pampering and fussing that big horses need. If they are over fed, it puts them at risk for laminitis, which can be fatal at worst. We bought a pony several years ago with a history of laminitis, and we constantly have to watch his diet. Even a few days of overeating makes his poor feet so sore that he doesn’t even like to move. It’s also costlier in farrier bills as he has to be trimmed more frequently. He’s a great little guy, though, the kids and my parents just adore him….heck, we all do. Just wish we didn’t have the feet thing to deal with!

Good luck!

]]> By: Danielle B http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-4532 Danielle B Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:51:31 +0000 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/#comment-4532 Most ponies are good well up into their 30s with no arthritis, but if you plan on having the pony ridden hard, I would probably start on a preventative joint supplement. It isn't necessary, but better to be safe than regretting it at the end. That being said, our 30-40something pony has never had joint supplements and is still not arthritic, even though she is partially blind and completely deaf- ponies tend to be a lot hardier than horses. Your cheapest option (by several hundred dollars a year) and most effective option is to get generic glucosamine injections. They are by prescription from your vet- so you do need vet approval first, but it is easy to get. Basically, after a loading dose (the shots are given in the muscle, just like vaccines) you give a shot once every 2-4 weeks to keep him limber. A 100ml bottle costs about $140 and is 20 shots, so around a year's worth in one bottle. Word of caution though- sometimes the shots make a horse or pony too happy and free- and a few will get very spirited. If so, this isn't the best option for you. Most horses react favorably and are just less stiff and more eager to work. I keep my 8 yr old draft horse (we do 1st level dressage right now) on the shots and it helps her move more freely, and she enjoys working more. You can definitely tell the stiffness before a shot and the looseness afterwards. Most ponies are good well up into their 30s with no arthritis, but if you plan on having the pony ridden hard, I would probably start on a preventative joint supplement. It isn’t necessary, but better to be safe than regretting it at the end.
That being said, our 30-40something pony has never had joint supplements and is still not arthritic, even though she is partially blind and completely deaf- ponies tend to be a lot hardier than horses.

Your cheapest option (by several hundred dollars a year) and most effective option is to get generic glucosamine injections. They are by prescription from your vet- so you do need vet approval first, but it is easy to get.

Basically, after a loading dose (the shots are given in the muscle, just like vaccines) you give a shot once every 2-4 weeks to keep him limber. A 100ml bottle costs about $140 and is 20 shots, so around a year’s worth in one bottle.

Word of caution though- sometimes the shots make a horse or pony too happy and free- and a few will get very spirited. If so, this isn’t the best option for you. Most horses react favorably and are just less stiff and more eager to work.
I keep my 8 yr old draft horse (we do 1st level dressage right now) on the shots and it helps her move more freely, and she enjoys working more. You can definitely tell the stiffness before a shot and the looseness afterwards.

]]> By: Gilda http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-4531 Gilda Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:50:29 +0000 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/#comment-4531 Contact your local agricultural & veterinarian college and ask them if they have done soil analysis on soil in your area for farmers and hay growers. They will know if there is a deficiency in the ground and therefore the hay and therefore what you feed your pony. Ask the person you get hay from what they have used for a fertilizer to replace ...... say,,, selenium. I asked a guy and all he was using was chicken manure from chicken farms. Depending upon the size of your pony or if he is half horse or like 10 - 13 hands high you can safely add 1/4 flake of good, green alfalfa each day. My horses get 1/2 flake. The bales are heavy and more expensive, but you don't use as much. I feed mostly coastal bermuda with low amounts of orchard grass. I keep timothy mixed with clover because if a horse gets sick or colics, you want a heavier fiber hay instead of the coastal - there will be no grain of course. Unfortunately, many ponies tend to colic. If yours has not, consider it lucky, if he is a true pony. I would be especially careful of a pony (and horse) with sudden weather changes, like it's 60 one day and that night it drops to 30 degrees or lower. Depending upon the area you live, have the ingredients for a mash ready for those days to mix in with the feed. Beet fiber, carrots, bran to keep the bowels moving, flax seed oil..... ask the vet or your knowledgeable horse expert. Also have a sheet or mid weight blanket for those sudden changes. Just enough to keep the heat in to the body. If he has already grown a heavy coat..... you made not need a sheet. The hair will stand up and make layers - the blanket will only flatten those layers and take away the insulation. The pasture your pony is on - - may need to have a herbicide to kill weeds and be fertilized. Do this early Spring and keep your pony up until this is over and it is safe. The ag college can help with this, also. If you are feeding straight oats, I would feed a very well balanced supplement of vitamins & minerals and for the older horse, I would see if the vet recommends 'joint' shots or just the supplement like the one below. My equine vet says make sure there is MSM in with the glucosamine and chondroitin. There is an " Ask the Experts " at United - look at the bottom right on the below link. Company name: Work out the price on supplements as to how much per month. If you do the series of joint aiding shots, you won't have to do the increase of supplements the first month. Favorite older horse / joint supplement: Hy-Flex = My horses are on this - my favorite anyway: If you live in a sandy soil like Florida, definitely use some psyllium to prevent colic..... ask vet and local horse people. I do not recommend soy or soybean for horses dogs, or humans - I don't care if it IS in the stores..... study it.... look for the pro's and the con's. My other favorite resource is Jeffers. They are good and quick and reliable... if they run out of a product, they ship for free and back order. Different animal sections are at the top of the webpage. Great dog items !!!! Here's horses: I used Rain Dance for hooves - a little goes a long way.... mostly put it in the coronary band and once a week and after shoeing, put on the whole hoof and frog. I worm in a rotation with Quest, ivermectin, and panacur, every 6 to 8 weeks. You'll find some good prices and different ones on these, so check out the different stores and catalogs. When you can get something for $5 instead of $10, grab a handful or even a box ! Always keep a few 'first aid' sprays, ointments, etc. and fly repellant that can go on cuts. I also keep ice wraps or buckets deep enough to soak a leg or hock. I put bell boots on the front to keep the hind legs from overreaching or pulling a shoe off. I am tempted to get some colored bells like those in Jeffers on Davis Pro-Fit™ Pastel Colored Vinyl Bell Boots Think they are cute ? I have the Jeffers overreach and the Davis 'no-turn' below the pastel colored ones. Hit "Next" on that page and the better bells that are pastel are there - those may last longer than the vinyl, don't you think ? When trial riding, if I am coming in as the sun drops out of the sky, I have a bright orange lightweight vest and I bought steady or blinking lights that go on joggers or bicyclers arms and legs - in Wal- Mart by the exercise equipment, they are on a velcro band and about $4 - 5. I pin these on my vest and even on horse's pad for safety. I've seen these in Home Depot or Lowe's too. I wear a hard hat for protection, too. You know, if you want to keep going with this little guy, why don't you also train him to ground drive and pull a cart ? He sounds like a lot of fun. My older gelding is great with kids, but he wants to stop and eat grass and will pull the reins and them! out of the saddle. I had to put a check rein on the bridle - stinker ! I would start now on the supplements. Lots of carrots for a SPECIAL pony ! Contact your local agricultural & veterinarian college and ask them if they have done soil analysis on soil in your area for farmers and hay growers. They will know if there is a deficiency in the ground and therefore the hay and therefore what you feed your pony. Ask the person you get hay from what they have used for a fertilizer to replace …… say,,, selenium. I asked a guy and all he was using was chicken manure from chicken farms.

Depending upon the size of your pony or if he is half horse or like 10 - 13 hands high you can safely add 1/4 flake of good, green alfalfa each day. My horses get 1/2 flake. The bales are heavy and more expensive, but you don’t use as much.

I feed mostly coastal bermuda with low amounts of orchard grass. I keep timothy mixed with clover because if a horse gets sick or colics, you want a heavier fiber hay instead of the coastal - there will be no grain of course.

Unfortunately, many ponies tend to colic. If yours has not, consider it lucky, if he is a true pony. I would be especially careful of a pony (and horse) with sudden weather changes, like it’s 60 one day and that night it drops to 30 degrees or lower. Depending upon the area you live, have the ingredients for a mash ready for those days to mix in with the feed. Beet fiber, carrots, bran to keep the bowels moving, flax seed oil….. ask the vet or your knowledgeable horse expert. Also have a sheet or mid weight blanket for those sudden changes. Just enough to keep the heat in to the body.
If he has already grown a heavy coat….. you made not need a sheet. The hair will stand up and make layers - the blanket will only flatten those layers and take away the insulation.

The pasture your pony is on - - may need to have a herbicide to kill weeds and be fertilized. Do this early Spring and keep your pony up until this is over and it is safe. The ag college can help with this, also.

If you are feeding straight oats, I would feed a very well balanced supplement of vitamins & minerals and for the older horse, I would see if the vet recommends ‘joint’ shots or just the supplement like the one below.

My equine vet says make sure there is MSM in with the glucosamine and chondroitin.

There is an ” Ask the Experts ” at United - look at the bottom right on the below link.

Company name:

Work out the price on supplements as to how much per month. If you do the series of joint aiding shots, you won’t have to do the increase of supplements the first month.

Favorite older horse / joint supplement: Hy-Flex
=

My horses are on this - my favorite anyway:

If you live in a sandy soil like Florida, definitely use some
psyllium to prevent colic….. ask vet and local horse people.

I do not recommend soy or soybean for horses dogs, or humans - I don’t care if it IS in the stores….. study it…. look for the pro’s and the con’s.

My other favorite resource is Jeffers. They are good and quick and reliable… if they run out of a product, they ship for free and back order.

Different animal sections are at the top of the webpage. Great dog items !!!!

Here’s horses:

I used Rain Dance for hooves - a little goes a long way…. mostly put it in the coronary band and once a week and after shoeing, put on the whole hoof and frog.

I worm in a rotation with Quest, ivermectin, and panacur, every 6 to 8 weeks.
You’ll find some good prices and different ones on these, so check out the different stores and catalogs. When you can get something for $5 instead of $10, grab a handful or even a box !

Always keep a few ‘first aid’ sprays, ointments, etc. and fly repellant that can go on cuts. I also keep ice wraps or buckets deep enough to soak a leg or hock.

I put bell boots on the front to keep the hind legs from overreaching or pulling a shoe off.

I am tempted to get some colored bells like those in Jeffers on

Davis Pro-Fit™ Pastel Colored Vinyl Bell Boots

Think they are cute ?

I have the Jeffers overreach and the Davis ‘no-turn’ below the pastel colored ones.
Hit “Next” on that page and the better bells that are pastel are there - those may last longer than the vinyl, don’t you think ?

When trial riding, if I am coming in as the sun drops out of the sky, I have a bright orange lightweight vest and I bought steady or blinking lights that go on joggers or bicyclers arms and legs - in Wal- Mart by the exercise equipment, they are on a velcro band and about $4 - 5. I pin these on my vest and even on horse’s pad for safety. I’ve seen these in Home Depot or Lowe’s too.

I wear a hard hat for protection, too.

You know, if you want to keep going with this little guy, why don’t you also train him to ground drive and pull a cart ?

He sounds like a lot of fun. My older gelding is great with kids, but he wants to stop and eat grass and will pull the reins and them! out of the saddle. I had to put a check rein on the bridle - stinker !

I would start now on the supplements.

Lots of carrots for a SPECIAL pony !

]]> By: angelhersh http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-4530 angelhersh Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:46:11 +0000 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/#comment-4530 The next time your vet comes out ask him. It won't do you any good to give supplements if he doesn't need them. 17 is not that old for a pony. Equines are similar to dogs in this aspect. Smaller horses have a long lifespan than larges one. Many ponies can reach 40. If you feel like you have to start him on a supplement make sure to follow directions and know the weight of your pony, to not overdose him. If in doubt ask your vet. If your horse is on a good well rounded diet, and has no health issues there is no reason to have him a supplement. The next time your vet comes out ask him. It won’t do you any good to give supplements if he doesn’t need them. 17 is not that old for a pony. Equines are similar to dogs in this aspect. Smaller horses have a long lifespan than larges one. Many ponies can reach 40.
If you feel like you have to start him on a supplement make sure to follow directions and know the weight of your pony, to not overdose him. If in doubt ask your vet.
If your horse is on a good well rounded diet, and has no health issues there is no reason to have him a supplement.

]]> By: delphijo http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-4529 delphijo Sun, 02 Aug 2009 10:13:21 +0000 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/#comment-4529 Talk to your vet before giving supplements....if you give them now, when he doesn't nne them, they won't have the effect on him when he does need them...... Good Luck Talk to your vet before giving supplements….if you give them now, when he doesn’t nne them, they won’t have the effect on him when he does need them……

Good Luck

]]> By: Melissa M http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-4528 Melissa M Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:49:04 +0000 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/#comment-4528 A girl just told me today that she rides her 31 year old horse everyday. Your horse will let you know when he isn't in great condition, your vet should advise you. Daily consistent activity should keep him shape. A girl just told me today that she rides her 31 year old horse everyday. Your horse will let you know when he isn’t in great condition, your vet should advise you. Daily consistent activity should keep him shape.

]]> By: stormy_gurl68 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-4527 stormy_gurl68 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:03:41 +0000 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/#comment-4527 Absolutely, give him supplementsnow. He is already 17 and that is already climbing up there in age. Hope your daughter is happy! Absolutely, give him supplementsnow. He is already 17 and that is already climbing up there in age. Hope your daughter is happy!

]]> By: Aravyndra http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-4526 Aravyndra Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:33:22 +0000 http://www.healthstorebargains.com/blog/do-i-need-to-feed-a-17yr-old-pony-supplements/#comment-4526 The easiest answer people want to hear the least is... never give your pets a suppliment that hasn't been recommended by a veterinarian. Some animals are very sensitive to certian things. Its best to talk to a vet to find out what proper medications and suppliments to use for a horse. You're not going to want to give an actual pony a suppliment you give a 17 year old horse and so on. So I'd talk to a vet who specializes in farm animals. The easiest answer people want to hear the least is… never give your pets a suppliment that hasn’t been recommended by a veterinarian.

Some animals are very sensitive to certian things. Its best to talk to a vet to find out what proper medications and suppliments to use for a horse. You’re not going to want to give an actual pony a suppliment you give a 17 year old horse and so on.

So I’d talk to a vet who specializes in farm animals.

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