The "Feeding the Polo Pony - The Basic Rules by Lorna Edgar" event took place on Tuesday, Sepember 17th, 2024 hosted by Lorna Edgar. It focussed on practical advice around feeding polo poniesIf you missed this event and would llike to check it out the recording is available under Past Events or Click here to view. Below we have highlighted the key learning outcomes from the session:
Key Coaching Insights:
Gradual Changes: Sudden changes in diet can disrupt a horse’s digestive system, making gradual transitions crucial.
Stomach Size & Feeding Frequency: Horses have small, non-stretchable stomachs, so feeding smaller, more frequent meals helps digestion and prevents issues like colic.
Muzzle Concerns: Muzzles, commonly used to control feeding, can lead to physical issues like increased gastric acid production and psychological stress.
Forage Quality: Forage should be digestible with more leaves than stems. Soaking hay is a strategy to reduce dust, but long soaks may leach nutrients.
Feeding Polo Ponies on Game Days: Offering forage and small amounts of alfalfa before and after playing can help manage energy levels and reduce gastric discomfort.
Making Feeding Economical: Feed smart. Rely on good quality forage. Feeding hard feed little and often will increase efficiency. Reduce waste both in overfeeding and in feedroom management.
