How to feed your pony correctly

Ponies are often very frugal because they have a slower metabolism than large horses. Therefore, they need fewer calories – because they gain weight very easily.

👉 The biggest problem is sugar in the roughage – that is, sugar from grass, hay and wrap.
In practice, too much sugar means that your pony:

• very quickly becomes too thick

• have a much higher risk of insulin resistance

• can develop leprosy – a painful and life-threatening disease

👉 And remember: although ponies have a lower energy requirement, they have the same need for protein, vitamins and minerals and Omega-3 per 100 kg of body weight as large horses. The need depends on the pony's weight, age and work level - not on the fact that it is a pony.

Roughage – the cornerstone of feeding

Your pony needs good roughage (grass, hay or wrap) – regardless of whether it is too thick or too thin.

• Minimum 1.5 kg roughage per 100 kg body weight per day

  • Can be a combination of hay/wrap and good straw

• Minimum 8 hours of eating time per day (preferably ad libitum)

• Ponies should never go more than 5 hours without food.

• The sugar content in the roughage should be low: below 5%.

👉 If the pony becomes too thick:

• Choose roughage with low energy content (0.4–0.5 FE per kg dry matter)

• Replace up to 25% of the hay/wrap with straw

• Use slow feeders or other solutions that extend eating time

💡 Good quality roughage with low sugar content reduces the risk of stomach ulcers, colic, intestinal torsion and lameness.

Your pony also needs vitamins, minerals and protein

Although ponies can often survive on roughage alone, it does not cover all their needs. Your pony should therefore always have:

• Vitamins and minerals

• Protein

• Salt and electrolytes

👉 Otherwise, the pony will end up in a deficit, which in the long run will cause health problems.

Protein – often the forgotten factor

Ponies need approximately 1.5 g crude protein per kg body weight per day .

👉 If the roughage is low in protein (e.g. late-harvested wrap), it is necessary to supplement.

If the pony lacks protein, it can manifest as:

• poor or missing muscle tone

• dull coat and bad hooves

• reduced recovery ability

Examples of protein content in roughage and feed materials

👉 That's why it's important to have your roughage analyzed. If you have wrap or hay from unfertilized fields, it's almost always necessary to supplement with a protein source.

Different needs require different solutions

Normal or overweight ponies

• Feed with salt and Every Day Happy + +Fiber Mash (low calorie)

• Give vitamins and minerals according to actual weight – not desired weight

• Adjust down as the pony loses weight.

• Exercise at least 30 minutes daily – it improves insulin sensitivity

Ponies in demanding work or for thin ponies

• Need extra energy for weight and work effort

• Use +Energy Fiber Mash for blood sugar neutral energy (doesn't make the pony "hot")

• Combine with salt and Every Day Happy or Peak Performance

• Choose Peak Performance if the pony needs extra support for:

  • Joints, tendons, muscles and bones

  • Injury management and stress

  • Better learning

How to find your pony's weight

Don't have a scale? Use a tape measure and this formula:

1. Measure the circumference of the girth bed (in meters).

2. Use the formula: girth measurement³ x 80 = body weight in kg

Example:

• Waist measurement = 150 cm (1.5 m)

• 1.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 = 3.4

• 3.4 × 80 = 272 kg
  
  Or buy a weight measuring tape so you don't have to convert.

Does your pony have special needs?

Then you can book a telephone consultation and get an individual feeding plan.

Brief summary

1️⃣ The biggest problem for ponies is sugar in the roughage – from grass, hay and wrap.
2️⃣ Too much sugar = overweight, insulin problems and risk of dementia.
3️⃣ The pony must have a minimum of 1.5 kg of roughage per 100 kg of body weight (hay/wrap and straw in combination).
4️⃣ The roughage must contain less than 5% sugar .
5️⃣ The protein requirement is 1.5 g of crude protein per kg of body weight .
6️⃣ Ponies have the same need for protein, vitamins and minerals per 100 kg as large horses - regardless of age and work.