Spring is here, and so is the new lush grass. Make sure you are ready for the summer grass battle with the ponies. I rotate some of mine on and off the paddocks with and without grass. It even helps to keep a fan in the loafing barns which lures the ponies in for the heat of the day to lose the bugs, thus limits the grazing, and I keep hay in the barn, which encourages them to graze out of the sun on the hay. Here in North Carolina I keep the paddocks mowed down, but fertilized (just reduce the nitrogen) to control the spread of weeds, but you want the root systems healthy, so some fertilizer is needed. Grazing muzzles work for some, just make sure that you don't leave it on 24/7. Anyone would need a break from wearing that device, but it works and lets a pony be out instead of standing in a stall all the time. I keep several of my ponies on Quiessence which certainly helps with those cresty necks....should be a link on my website for Foxden Equine for more info on that. Most important, keep these ponies in work, even if you just take them for walks somewhere or trotting in the round pen for 10 - 15 minutes a day would be good. I am starting to hike with the various ponies with the grandchildren....good for everyone! I just found a great company... www.OutfittersSupply.com ... that has packing equipment....some of the velcro and cordura stuff is great. Check it out! Am off to make a new edition of "Roy the Boy".....my breaking dummy.....as it is time to get Jitterbug going under saddle this summer, anyone interested in making one, give me a call and I will happily walk you through that process. I'll be home for a while getting the visiting broodmares settled in, come visit anytime.