Exercises for an old pony

[Bettyboo22]

I look after an old pony (44-ish)

She is currently being walked out everyday, but I think she is getting bored as she is being very naughty (breaking out of her stable and cantering down the lane to the farm). Has anyone got any ideas ?

[Chwarae Teg]

:eek: CANTERING ! aged 44 ish ?! :eek: WOW
She obviously doesn't like being shut in her stable.
When I have had elderly horses, I have found that the worse thing for them was to be stabled.
Their joints would stiffen and swell, boredom, bad habits, etc etc.
My last elderly horse left us 5 years ago. I had him for 33 years.
He used to get grumpy and naughty at times, so a change of scene was always good,
and a lightweight rider taking him (bareback) down to the sea used to cheer him up for weeks !
Daily massage and exercizes were always our routine and one I am going to have to start again before long with my 2 mares.
Hope you find something that your little character enjoys doing.
Teg :)

[Bettyboo22]

Thats what my face did and it was on tarmac :scared::eek: Didn't think of massage, is it just the same as you would massage a human ?

[Bettyboo22]

Bump bump :)

[BEX101]

Does she get turned out at all? And does she have any distractions in her stable? You could get her a toy or a mirror.

[Bettyboo22]

She does have turn out but the turn out at our farm is rubbish with no grass so she just stands there. There is nothing in her stable at the moment but when she has licks ect she didn't show any interest

[BEX101]

You coud spread carrots round the field (if she's on her own) and she'll have to roam around finding them or see if anyone has one of those pilatas (sp?) balls they dont use anymore and put that in teh field with her.

You coud always try teaching an old horse new tricks...... use clicker training to encourage her to do stretch's etc

[Bettyboo22]

I was just thinking about trick training :) Just trying to think of some low impact tricks

[BEX101]

Target training where she touches a designated target, or stands on a mat.
Nodding or shaking head.
Turning her head to the left or right to touch her own side or shoulder to help keep her supple.
I even saw a video recently of a pony doing scent training........

[Bettyboo22]

Like the idea of nodding, no idea how to start. Off to google:D