Little Hooves Pony Diary
Little Hooves Pony Diary — Fly Season
The flies are out in force already, and they always seem to make a beeline for the greys. Lux is definitely their favourite target. We treated her sarcoids over the winter for this exact reason, and although they’re healing well, the flies still try their best to aggravate them. A breathable barrier cream, a bit of fly cream around the area, and a rug with full belly coverage have become part of her daily routine again. Suzie is the opposite — she suffers more with hay fever at this time... Read more...
Little Hooves Pony Diary - Suzie and the Farrier
Suzie is the kindest, sassiest pony with a heart of gold and more personality than most people. We are so lucky to have her in our lives. However, she does have one vice, and it comes from a place of anxiety – having her feet trimmed. When we first got Suzie, our farrier had to work incredibly hard to trim her feet. We often had to sedate her, which was a challenge in itself, and because of her EMS-related laminitis she needs her feet trimming every four weeks. If we... Read more...
Little Hooves Pony Diaries - The BIGGEST Question When You Own a Horse: Which Rug Should I Put On?
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is — every equestrian faces the same daily dilemma: “Which rug should I put on today?” Morning or night, rain or shine, warm or windy… every pony is different and every day throws a new twist on the same question. This time of year is especially challenging when we seem to get all four seasons in one day. Here’s how I manage rug choices for my three very different ponies — and why there’s no such thing as a perfect answer. Suzie... Read more...
Little Hooves Pony Diaries - Suzie’s EMS Journey & Why We Use a Grazing Muzzle
This is one of the hardest posts I’ve ever written. I know how many different opinions there are in the pony world, and sharing something so personal always feels like opening a very vulnerable door. But Suzie is my heart pony, and this is our reality. Over Easter 2025, Suzie had what we thought was a mild bout of laminitis. One morning she simply didn’t want to leave her stable, so I called the vet straight away. She spent two weeks in with soaked hay, and during that time Georgina... Read more...
Fly sprays
It’s that time of year again when fly sprays become part of the daily routine, and yet finding one that works consistently still feels like chasing the impossible. Some people swear by citronella, others prefer DEET, and then there are the stronger insecticide‑based options. I’ve always avoided citronella where I can — I was highly allergic to it as a child, and the smell alone brings back memories. Here in the UK we don’t have the same range of insecticides that the US do. The stronger ones tend to be... Read more...
Hay fever Season
Does anyone else have a pony that struggles with hay fever? Poor Suzie pony really doesn’t get an easy ride. Not only do we manage her EMS and the constant threat of laminitis, but this time of year brings a whole new challenge: allergies. She’s already on soaked hay and varying levels of grass restriction, but now we’re also battling pollen. As soon as the fields start being cut for hay, or the grass and hedges begin releasing pollen, her eyes flare up. We’ve had the vet out more times... Read more...
Grazing Muzzles
There are so many strong opinions about grazing muzzles, and I’ll be honest — I was never completely comfortable with the idea either. That changed last year when Suzie was diagnosed with EMS. She’s never been a greedy pony, and she actually copes well being stabled when she has to, but she’s also eighteen now and movement is so important for her. At this time of year, trying to balance turnout with keeping grass sugars under control becomes incredibly difficult. For Suzie, it really is a matter of life or... Read more...