Basic Pony Care -The First Days
| So you bought a pony. Do you know basic pony care? A pony may be more the size of a large dog, but it is truly a horse and must be respected as such. There are several things you need to know about your pony to help you toward a better understanding of their nature. Understanding their nature will make basic pony care easier for you and your new friend. Ponies are "prey" animals resulting in a "flight or fight" instinct. They are a "herd" animal and look to the "Lead Mare" for guidance and protection. They have two sections to their brains: a "REACTION" part and a "thinking" part. (Note the large and small print in relation to the two sections of a horse's brain.) They have two sides to their brain: a "right" side and a "left" side. **(I will use the word "horse" simply because, though small, a pony is still a horse.)** The problems that arise between humans and horses are directly related to their "place" in the world. A horse is a "prey" animal while a human is a "predator." The horse has, over millions of years, evolved into a "flight or fight" mentality. When feeling threatened, a horse will take "flight," or run away. If this option is not possible, a horse will go into "fight" mentality, striking out with hoof and/or with teeth in defense. A horse is a "herd" animal. Being a prey animal, they know there is "safety in numbers." Within the herd there exists a "hierarchy." The TOP BOSS is the "Lead Mare." She has gained this position by proving she is a competent, trustworthy leader. (YOU must become your ponies' "Lead Mare.") | |
A horse has two sections to its' brain: the "REACTION" part and the "thinking" part. The reaction part is BIG. This is where the "flight or fight" instinct lives. When a horse is faced with an "unknown," or predator, the REACTION part of their brain signals, "RUN!!" The thinking part of a horse's brain is small. Through patient, calm, consistent and positive-reinforcement training, the "thinking" part grows larger forcing the reaction part to shrink. This is how your horse becomes a willing, trusting companion. A horse has two sides to its' brain: LEFT and RIGHT. Each side is totally independant of the other. This makes it imperative to train BOTH sides of your horse. Every new exercise MUST be taught to each side of the horse's brain. Buy or borrow a good book on basic pony care with instruction on feeding, grooming, how to tie correctly, veterinary care, hoof cleaning, the proper way to lead your pony and other information you will need so you can properly care for your ponies. Don't be embarressed to ask a experienced horseman for help One last thing I'd like to mention is footwear. When around your ponies, at any time, always wear "closed" shoes - NO sandals, flip-flops, or other open-toed shoes - and NEVER barefoot. Ponies are small horses, but can weigh from 200 to 700 pounds and have very hard feet. If you do get stepped on, NEVER pull your foot out from under your ponies' hoof. PUSH your pony away from you so it steps off your foot. This general information sheet was developed for the caregiver with little or no experience with basic pony care. It is only GENERAL information. Your local library and Sharon's Corner Boostore are good sources for information on
basic pony care.
Read, listen, ASK. HAPPY PONY KEEPING!!!!!
Paula
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