What Does This Weather Mean For Turning Out Your Pony?

Ok, so we all know it has been raining like crazyOur three are all in at the moment for different
and half of England is under water. Down here inreasons, but in the case of the ponies it is mostly
Cornwall we haven't had the worst of it but it hasbecause the grass is continually growing that
rained a lot and we certainly haven't had athere is an increased risk of laminitis this summer.
summer yet. That said we had a great spell ofOur Shetland Pony, Poppy, started to look a bit
weather back in April / May but that was a longsore when ridden on the road and we found a
time ago now. I've just heard the weatherpulse at the fetlock which indicates increased
forecast and there's more rain due today-great!!blood flow to the foot. We felt it might be the
The Launceston Show was on last weekend andstart of something so we brought her in where
we went down there for the morning- muddy,she has been for a week now. Our Welsh,
but not nearly as muddy as the Liskeard ShowGulliver, has also been put on restricted grazing
had been a couple of weeks before. I wrote ajust to be on the safe side. Lots of extra work
quick review of the Liskeard Show, specifically thebut better safe than sorry.
Mountain & Moorland Classes, so it's outIn the stables we are using a Mini Miser Haynet
there if you are interested.and a Wee Pony Haynet. Basically these have
Unfortunately the afternoon of the Launcestonholes that are half the size of the holes in normal
Show bought torrential rain so the show wasHaynets so are perfect for hungry ponies that
closed. Luckily for us most of the Pony Showinghave a tendency to eat too much. We sell these
Classes had gone on in the morning so for thoseon our website along with things like the
Showing in the morning the day hadn't been aGreenguard Pony Grazing Mask, again a product
disaster. We watched the Lead Rein Mountain andto restrict the grazing but not completely cancel
Moorland, and then First Ridden Classes whichturnout time. If you want to know more about
were very well attended. The site turned into aproducts for restricting pony grazing please email
mud bath but as at Liskeard the local farmers didus or visit the website.
a fantastic job towing vehicles out of the mud soThere seems to be the feeling that once the sun
everybody got out eventually.comes out here the grass will really grow because
For those that have not read any of our stuffwe have had so much rain and then owners will
before we have a Cleveland Bay mare, a Welshneed to be very careful that their ponies are not
Section B and a Shetland Pony. Fortunately forgetting too much grass. If you have any concerns
them we have a business supplying tack andwe would strongly advise consulting a vet.
essentials for Shetlands and most of the NativePlease look out for my piece on buying second
Pony Breeds so our three are not short onhand horse and pony trailers so if you are trying
turnout rugs and such to keep them dry in thisto get one in the second hand market you can
weather.benefit from the hard lessons we have learned.