| Do you want to get a pony or horse? That's great! | | | | strong since your pony will come into contact with the |
| For a horsecrazy girl, a horse or pony is a best friend | | | | fence more often. Strong metal pipes or wood are |
| forever. Just be sure to do your homework first | | | | often used to build pens and corrals. |
| because there is a lot that goes into having a horse or | | | | How will I take care of my pony? In addition to the |
| pony as a pet. Here are some questions to ask | | | | proper living and exercise area, your pony needs a lot |
| yourself: | | | | of care, so you need to be prepared for what it will |
| Do I have a safe place to keep my pony? Horses | | | | take to keep your pony healthy. Here are some things |
| need protection in the way of shelter from the | | | | to think about. |
| weather, such as rain, wind, ice, hot sun, and snow. It's | | | | Food and water: You must make sure your pony has |
| also very important for them to have a place to run | | | | fresh water every day and a good amount of hay or |
| freely every day. Some ponies live in a pasture and | | | | grass each day. If they are kept in a stall, they must be |
| have a barn or some form of shelter nearby for | | | | fed and watered at least two times every day. |
| escaping the weather. If a horse gets wet and then | | | | Grooming: This is a great way to spend time with your |
| stands in the wind without protection, she can get sick. | | | | pony and it also helps keep her coat shiny and healthy. |
| If you are thinking of keeping your pony in a pasture | | | | Every day grooming would be great, but make sure to |
| most of the time, you need at least one acre of land, | | | | always groom her before you ride her so dirt on her |
| up to three acres, for your pony to run freely and | | | | coat doesn't get into her skin. You'll need to take care |
| graze. Large trees within the pasture area would be | | | | of her coat, mane, tail, hooves, and sometimes trim |
| great so your pony could enjoy the shade on hot | | | | certain areas on her head. |
| days. | | | | Mucking her stall: This is very important for keeping her |
| What type of fence or barrier will be used to keep | | | | hooves healthy. If your pony is kept in a stall, you'll need |
| your pony inside the pasture? Horses and ponies can | | | | to clean her stall every day. Did you know that the |
| be very determined animals. They will try to put their | | | | average pony will produce several gallons of urine and |
| legs and heads right through a fence if they think they | | | | 15 pounds of manure every day? Your pony could get |
| can. The type of fencing you use to surround your | | | | sick if she has to stand in that all day long. |
| pasture must be safe for your horse. The fence must | | | | Check for illness or injuries: Your pony needs to be |
| be very strong and something the pony will see easily. | | | | checked every day for possible injuries or illness. |
| It can't have anything on it that would cut or injure your | | | | Training: You'll need to spend time each day training |
| pony. Barbed wire must never be used! | | | | your pony so she will be a good riding horse and safe |
| One of the best choices for fencing is a heavy-gauge, | | | | to be around. |
| woven wire mesh material with holes small enough to | | | | Hoof cleaning: All four hooves will need to be cleaned |
| keep your pony from putting her hoof through by | | | | out each day. |
| accident. It's a good idea to put a wooden rail along the | | | | Exercise: If your pony is kept inside a stall most of the |
| top of the fence so your pony will see it, even when | | | | day, she will need to be exercised in her pen or |
| she is running, so she can stop or turn away without | | | | allowed to run freely in a fenced-in pasture every day. |
| running into the fence. | | | | As you can see, having a horse or pony is a big |
| Another place to keep your pony is in a barn, inside a | | | | commitment! After school, you should allow an |
| stall, or box. As long as you have a pen outside for | | | | average of two hours every day to care for your |
| giving them some exercise, a barn is a safe place for | | | | pony. Other costs to consider are veterinary bills, |
| your pony to live. If this is the case, you must build a | | | | farrier costs and buying her tack. Owning a pony can |
| pen, or corral, for her so she has a place to exercise | | | | be fun and rewarding, but just be prepared for working |
| every day. The fence of a pen needs to be very | | | | hard, too, in order to keep her happy and healthy. |