Field board vs stall board for my pony?

Question

My daughter has a 7 year old PoA 14H pony that we are currently stall boarding, but due to the economy it would help us out financially if her pony were field boarded. The pony is a very easy keeper and she has never foundered. My daughter rides her about 5 days a week. The pony is out of the stall about 12 hours a day now, but if we were to field board her she would be out 24/7 with a run-in shed.

Where we board the pony is feed grain twice a day since she is a stall boarder, but if we field board the pony is only fed grain once a day with hay available at all times.

Will once a day grain be OK? Will her pony be hard to stall when we go to overnight pony club rallies? Will the pony be harder to load on the trailer since she isn't stalled?

Answer 1

My two horses are pasture boarded and they have actually gained weight.  They get one scoop of grain a day and hay once a day as well.  They have plenty of grass so this is all they need.  I think your pony will be perfectly fine and probably more happy to be outside more long term.  I actually think pasture board is the best choice in most situations.

Answer 2

I HIGHLY recommend field boarding. Horses get a lot of nutrients from grass. He'll be fine at pony club rallies. My horse has gotten better manners and been healthier since I started field boarding her. I three day event and she is fine during shows. Feeding once a day is completely safe. I've never fed any of my horses more than once a day because they don't need as much grain due to the grass. None of them have ever coliced or foundered. Horses and ponies can get expensive. My suggestion is field board her.

Answer 3

24/7 turnout for ponies is completely fine. All of our ponies (we have 5) stay out all the time, even when it storms because they are more likely to get struck by lightning in the barn than in the field. They have a run in shed and water. We grain them once a day and they only get a handful because they are fat little ponies LOL. My horses even stay out about 22/7- they come in for grain and supplements.

Answer 4

Boarding your pony outside 24/7 shouldn't be a problem but there are many factors that you should consider before the change. Will she be outside with other horses or ponies? If she will be you need to be careful that she doesn't become herd bound. If she does this may cause difficulties for your daughter when she tries to take the pony away from the others to ride.. ect. Living with other ponies or horses does put your pony in jeopardy of quarrels over food.. etc and your pony could get injured. In living outside your pony will be out in the elements and will get wet or muddy making it  a lot more work for your daughter to clean up before she can even ride. Especially considering your daughter rides so frequently. If it is increadibly muddy in the pasture and the pony won't come to the gate to be brought in through the mud your daughter is going to have to walk in to get the pony, getting increadibly muddy herself. After a muddy spell the ground dries leaving ruts and increadibly uneven ground for your pony to walk on leading to possible tendon and ligament issues if they slip, trip or fall into a rut.. etc. On the good side your pony will get to exercise 24/7 and roam all day. I find the flies attack the outside horses  much more than the stabled ones. Don't forget to vaccinate your pony against West Nile because the mosquitoes come out at night and will have easier access to your pony outdoors in the open than indoors. Outside boarding isn't a bad thing and some ponies and horses just love it. I have just found in my experience that if your riding your pony frequently its much easier for you to have her stabled than outdoors. Your pony should have no problem with trailering or being stalled at pony clubs if she's already good at trailering. I hope some of this information helps you out and wish you and your daughter the best of luck!

Answer 5

Since the pony started in a stall, no she won't be any harder to load/ keep stalled, unless there is something scary about the trailer or stalls

Once a day grain is FINE, especially if the pony is fat, and she will be outside and will therefore probably be eating grass (if it's a grass field, not just dirt...)

The only thing would be that if you dont already use Psyllium, you should start that if you are going to be field boarding her, you dont want her getting sand colic.

I personally think all horses are happier when they have the opportunity to be turned out all day, so go for it!

Answer 6

Ponies really adapt well to being out 24/7 as long as their is hay available 24/7 , getting grain only once a day should be good. Any more grain combined with the hay Will make your pony fizzy and begins risks of her becoming overweight.

Because your pony has been on stall board before and as long as she doesn't have any real problems with trailering in the first place not much should change.

If she is kept with other ponies this is a great thing for your her because she is living the way nature intended outside with lots of buddies. This results in a happier healthier pony.

Hope I could help!

Answer 7

I, personally, think it is about what you want for your pony and what his conditions are.  In a general climate, I think that pasture board is great as long as you have some sort of shelter from the weather.  It is obviously cheaper and more convieniant...plus it doesn't make most horses/ponies any difference.  Many horses/ponies actually prefer it to stall boarding!  However, if he is being pasture kept then I suggest that you keep him monitored.  Every time you see him, check his physical conditions and his behavior.  Also, when feeding...you have only one option.  Feed at the very least 2 times a day in small quantities!  Horses have sensitive digestive systems and they must be feed more than once!  If you are going to pasture keep him, though, he does not require hay.  He may also have a little less amount of grain-depending on how much you feed him now.  As long as he is used to being in a stall, he shouldn't have trouble going back into one in the future.  However, the results may vary depending on place and pony.  It doesn't matter if your horse is pasture kept or stall kept...he will normally load in a trailer the same way as always.  However, if he somehow does have trouble loading, then just work on it with him and he should be good to go!  I hope I helpled.  My horse is also pasture kept and she is also an easy keeper.  She is my source.

Answer 8

She will be fine! Dont worry about her. She can adjust, and also it will not effect anything really! She will still be a great pony! ;)

Answer 9

I would say that field bored would be fine. I have never heard of a pony or horse being bad in a stall over night or in a trailer because they are not kept in a stall. The the extra grass getting grain once a day would be plenty. If there is a ton of grass just be carefull that she does not founder. Even with the riding and the fact that she has never in the past it could still happen. its most likley not going to she should be fine.

Answer 10

The field boarding your describing should be fine for a pony.  Ponies are much hardier than horses and can take much harsher conditions, although what you've described is far from harsh.  

As long as you continue to handle the pony regularly you shouldn't have any issues with changes in keeping it in a barn during special trips or trailering.

Answer 11

The horse benefits (unless they're a terror and a clutz) from free - roaming.

If the pasture board contains a shelter she can get in from lightning and such, I would suggest that this is better than stall board always.

Fresh air blowing helps the respiratory system - within a stall most of the day, the dust and such causes respiratory problems all the time.

When she's as free to roam as nature intended as much as possible, she'll be healthier and happier.

The horse is created to constantly graze to keep the food moving through they systems and their joints in good condition as well as the feet getting good blood flow.

Compare stall board to you're sitting at a desk all day .....what does sitting at a desk all day do to you that having a job walking about at your leisure would help with?

I suggest that when you begin pasture boarding you may experience troubles catching the pony.  this will be avoided by showing the pony that you coming into it's pasture does no always mean work.  Have your daughter, when it's rainy or she can't ride for some reason still go to the stable - walk out in the pasture to just catch up with the pony and rub and pet and scratch her.  Show her that she will not always be caught and forced to work.  One time, visit the pasture with out a halter and lead just to spend time with her for a while.  Another maybe take the halter and lead out and use it to rub her and find her itchy spots - give her a good little pleasant "massage" further teaching her of you understanding of her and your companionship.  Still others, go ahead and catch her and take her for a leisurely walk or a good grooming with scratchin' and all - some time like this alone is as important or more than riding to establish a healthy relationship between your daughter and that pony.

Answer 12

She'll be better off in every way on field board.  If she is an easy keeper, she may be already getting more grain than she should.  Many easy keepers are never fed grain...only a mineral supplement if the hay is deficient.

My 21 and 22 year old horses are out 24/7...both were stalled in the past and they do much better this way...go for it and save some money while your pony yells THANK YOU!!!!

She could act unhappy when you stall her at events, but it shouldn't be anything more than pawing or head weaving to protest...many don't do anything at all, depending on their personalities.  She should load as well as she always has...maybe better, since she won't have the stored up excess energy from hours of standing in a stall.