30/08/2025
Support Sunday
Answers to Last Week’s Questions and an invite to ask more for next week!
Q1: Who has been the most important equine in your learning journey and why?
• Jenny: Her first horse, Riben Brittania, a 3-year-old chestnut part-Arab mare. Jenny learned what not to do—like hard-tying to fences, tying the horse in before closing the float ramp, and cantering on hard roads and many more lessons!
• Richard: His coloured pony, Charles. Although Richard handled Charles from 5 months old, saddling and harnessing him completely on his own taught him that even well-handled young horses need clear rules for smooth progress.
Q2: How can I manage my laminitis-prone pony if lucerne is my only hay option?
• Offer beet pulp for one-third of the daily ration (1.5–2% of body weight), divided into three feeds, rinsed three times before soaking.
• Soak and rinse Fat Pony chaff or other low sugar ‘white’ chaff.
• Introduce small amounts of teff and/or third-cut stalky lucerne (soaked for softness, not starch reduction).
• Check digital pulses twice daily and maintain consistent exercise.
Q3: How do I measure my horse for bit size?
• Use a Bit Measure tool (free download or cardboard version) to get an accurate ring-to-ring measurement in inches or cm.
• Without a Bit Measure, place a dowel or string where the bit sits and have a friend mark inside-ring distances.
• For detailed instructions and sizing charts, see Bit Fit and Sizing by Bit Bank Australia.
Now - Ask Us Anything Else!
Got questions about hoof care, training, rider confidence or anything else horse related? Drop them in the comments below, and we’ll feature your queries in next week’s post. No question is too small—let’s learn and grow together! 🐴✨
Sources: Bit Fit and Sizing, Bit Bank Australia.
www.bitbankaustralia.com.au
