Ponies

Alternative Medicine for Ponies

For diseases and other topics, see Horses, Horse Topics and Horse Diseases

See also: Natural Feeding for Horses & Ponies

Homeopathy – Herbs – Acupuncture – Chiropractic – Holistic Medicine – Natural Feeding

Pony vetting / Pre-purchase examination

In Britain, we have a great tradition of native pony breeds. So many British adults have childhood memories of a faithful and characterful pony.

Ponies are the same as horses, only different!

Horse & Pony Diseases

Back pain

Holistic Pony

Hoof Care

Ponies are fascinating, intelligent, resourceful and hardy creatures. They are also quite tough. Their great vulnerability is with Laminitis. This may in part be due to the fact that they have, for the most part, originated in harsh climates and rugged areas and rich lowland grass is simply not suitable for their diet. We rarely see ‘Sweet itch‘ in horses but it is not uncommon in ponies. Ponies also appear to be more susceptible to Cushings Syndrome than horses.

A pony is technically a horse that measures less than 14.2 hands in height (a ‘hand' is 4 inches or approximately 10 centimetres). However, there are exceptions to this. The Connemara pony may exceed this and the Haflinger, Icelandic horse, Peruvian Paso and Morgan horse may measure less than this. The Falabella is much less than 14.2 but is described as a miniature horse. Conformation and appearance wise, ponies generally have a thicker mane, a relatively wider ‘barrel' and the legs are also relatively stockier. Their trot is usually much ‘shorter' and more rapid.

Natural feeding of ponies:   (an information-only introduction to natural feeding).

Ponies accept Acupuncture very well, as with horses. If an occasional pony patient objects, we do not sedate. Not only is that a potentially toxic drug input but it also corrupts or annihilates the body's proper responses to treatment. Instead, we offer painless LASER Acupuncture, which they tend to find very relaxing. Homeopathy and Herbs are also well-suited to ponies. As with horses, Chiropractic manipulation can be necessary for optimum working capability, performance, welfare and health.

Some breeds of Native Pony (British Isles) are:

• Connemara Pony
• Dales Pony
• Dartmoor Pony
• Exmoor Pony
• Fell Pony
• Highland Pony
• Miniature Shetland Pony
• New Forest Pony
• Shetland Pony
• Welsh Pony

Pony vital information:

Reasonable life expectancy 30 – 40 years

Rectal Temperature	Respiratory Rate	Heart Rate	Gestation Period
100.5oF / 38oC	12 breaths per minute (8 – 16)	42 (25 – 55)	330-340 days

 

Equine Homeopathy

Equine Herbs

Equine Acupuncture

Equine Chiropractic

The Alternative Vet (AVMC) offers Holistic Veterinary Medicine for horses, ponies, dogs, cats and other species. As herb vet / herbal vet, Chris Day uses traditional Western Herbs, which naturally form the indigenous plant medicine of his patients. As homeopathic vet, we use many different homeopathic methodologies, not being confined by any single doctrine. As acupuncture vet, we use needling, LASER stimulation, moxibustion, electro-acupuncture and acupressure. As chiropractic vet, we examine every patient for correct skeletal alignment and offers manipulation for those that require it. As holistic vet, we integrate these therapies, as needed and advises natural, species-suitable feeding. Whether herbal vet, acupuncture vet, homeopathic vet, holistic vet or other nomenclature, Chris puts the patient first, applying whatever means of stimulation of natural healing he can, to the benefit of the patient.

One-stop service for veterinary homeopathy, veterinary acupuncture, veterinary herbs, veterinary chiropractic, LASER therapy and other natural therapies.

Main Treatments offered (see Therapies):

• Homeopathic treatment
• Acupuncture treatment
• Herbal treatment (Phytotherapy)
• Aromatherapy treatment
• Chiropractic treatment
• Nutritional advice – Feeding advice
• LASER treatment
• Ultrasound treatment
• Back manipulation – Back treatment
• Bach Flowers
• Holistic medicine – Holistic veterinary medicine
• Flower Essences
• Tissue Salts
• Holistic therapy – Holistic treatment – Holistic care
• Holistic advice
• Anthroposophical medicines – Anthroposophy
• Natural medicine – Alternative medicine – complimentary medicine
• CAM – CAVM
• Integrated medicine (Integrative Medicine)
• Natural Feeding – Natural Diet

These approaches represent a philosophy that is alternative to the current conventional norm but the use of alternative therapies does not do away with the need for a thorough examination and assessment. Nor does it preclude the use of modern diagnostic techniques where necessary. A holistic vet will take into account all these things, in addition to closely scrutinizing lifestyle, diet, environment, riding, tack, saddling, shoeing, grazing, stabling etc.

See also: Allergies

Horse and Pony Diseases

In addition to the above links, we have a suite of brief introductory pages for quick reference on the following:

Allergies – Arthritis – Autoimmune Disorders – Back Problems – Behavioural Problems – Cancer – COPD – Cushings – Equine Recurrent Uveitis – Equine Sarcoid – ERU – Headshaking – Lameness – Laminitis –Moonblindness – Mud Fever – Paralysis – Periodic Ophthalmia – Recurrent Ophthalmia – Recurrent Uveitis – Sarcoid – Sweet Itch

If these prove useful to readers and if we receive requests for others, we shall try to oblige as soon as possible.