How to Feed POA Ponies
The Pony of the Americas (POA) was first bred in 1954 from a half-Arabian, half-Appaloosa mare and a Shetland pony stallion. The breed was developed to be ridden and shown by children, so POAs, by nature, are gentle. Breed standards demand a height of between 44 and 52 inches and a coat that is spotted like that of the Appaloosa. Though POAs have an unusual look, they need to be fed in the same way as any other pony.
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Things You'll Need
- Portable equine scale or livestock scale
- Grass or hay
- Commercial horse pellets
- Chaff
- Rice bran
- Apples
- Carrots
- Salt lick
- Water
Instructions
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How to Feed POA Ponies
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Weigh your POA pony with a portable equine scale or livestock scale. The amount of food it needs will depend on how much it weighs, as well as its type of diet and activity level. Your veterinarian can help you determine how much food to begin feeding your pony.
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Give your pony plenty of roughage, such as hay and grass. These foods are good for its digestive system. The POA pony has a small stomach, so you may want to feed it small amounts of food several times a day instead of one large meal.
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Supplement your POA pony's diet with some grains. The Pony of the Americas is often trained as a show horse, and the extra energy it expends may require extra fat content in its diet. Chaff and rice bran are two common choices for equine grain supplements.
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Include commercial pellets in the pony's diet. There are several brands of feed available that are geared specifically toward equines. Check with your veterinarian to determine the best kind for your POA pony.
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Feed your pony succulent foods like apples and carrots sparingly. These foods are treats for ponies. Ponies also enjoy salt licks, which can provide a needed mineral boost.
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Provide your POA pony with plenty of fresh, clean water. Ponies can get dehydrated easily and may need to drink 5 to 10 gallons of water daily.
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Take note of your pony's condition after starting it on its diet. If the pony is underweight or overweight, consult your veterinarian and make adjustments accordingly.
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Tips & Warnings
When feeding your POA pony, do not follow feeding guidelines for a full-size horse. Ponies weigh less, which means they need less food.
Check the hay carefully before feeding it to your pony to be sure it is free of dust and mold.
POA ponies easily can become a bit overweight. If your pony begins to put on too much weight, cut back on the amount of grass and hay in its diet.
If you need to change your pony's diet, do so gradually, as drastic changes can upset its digestive system.
Talk to your veterinarian before giving your pony any type of vitamin or mineral supplement. Some supplements are formulated specifically for equines, while others may contain ingredients that could be harmful.
Change your pony's water daily to keep it clean and free from bacteria.
Do not try to ride your pony immediately after it has eaten. Allow it about an hour to digest its food.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit appaloosa mare and colt image by Lee O'Dell from Fotolia.com
