We’re still in the first week at our new barn. Xena is settling is quite well, learning her new routine and tolerating the anti-social pony she’s temporarily turned-out with. She’s eating and drinking quite well, but not consuming nearly the amount of hay she should be, evidenced by the small amount of stool in her stall. Susan (our barn owner) attributes this to the pony guarding the round bale and Xena simply being a bit nervous. Her grain has been increased and I’m hand grazing her everyday, for up to an hour at a time.
Overall Susan is quite happy with Xena’s progress, and says she should be ready to be introduced to her permanent herd on Sunday, exactly 7 days since we arrived. Part of Susan’s desire to not delay the introductions, is because the herd has a larger dry paddock with room to run, and access to a grass paddock during the day. Her temporary dry paddock is fairly small and has no access to grass, which is why it’s only used for ponies who founder easily and mares who need to lose weight — I’ve nicknamed it the Diet Centre.
Xena's YouTube Channel