[SallyintNorth]

So, which block should I use for the Fells and Dales?  We are of course copper, cobalt & selenium deficient where we are.  I read about some on here using yellow Rockies for ponies and some of you use red. 

Whenever I go into my local equestrian supplies place I just come out boggled at all the different blocks and empty-handed.  But I've got a few ends of manes and tails turning brown (all the ponies are black all over) so I think they'll be needing copper.

Help please!

[Rosemary]

I give our's yellow Rockie - I think it might not have copper, because it's suitable for all stock including sheep and our ponies run with the sheep. They also have rock salt.

The Rockies website annoyingly doesn't list what's in each type of block and the download that MIGHT tell you is broken.

[humphreymctush]

For the last several years I have given yellow rockies to sheep and red rockies to cows and ponies. If the sheep and ponies are in the same field I just make sure the red rockies are hung too high for the sheep to reach.

[jaykay]

I use red ones for the goats, because they do have copper whereas the yellow ones don't, that's right Rosemary.

[ellied]

I use red and blue rockies - yellow has no copper which is why it's used for sheep but if you've got black ponies turning brown then you need the copper just hang it where sheep can't get to it. 

The red general one is great allround supplementation for natives (I have Highlands) which I put out all year round.  In spring however I add a blue one which is magnesium rich and may help prevent laminitis aswell as being supposed to be calming for animals that might get a bit high on spring grass

[jenny]

Hi, this is the first time ever I have replied on any forum so excuse my inexperience. I have a fell mare and did have a shetland as well. I have a paddock paradise system of grazing and try to plant as many herbs, trees and hedgerows as possible. The only fodder my fell is having is meadow hay and one cup of minerals called base mix from company called thunderbrook.  At the moment my mare is in the centre of the fields eating the old grass. The du ng is left and will be harrowed in April when she comes off the field and onto the track system until November again.
I have  only came across this site and so thrilled and excited by it.
I have 5 acres that I bought and have a garden, hens, orchard and now learning my fell to work the land.
I hope this helps.

[SallyintNorth]

Well hello and welcome, jennyw5.  Thank you for replying.  I will look up thunderbrook.

I am very interested to know more about how you work your Fell.  I would love to have my Fells do some real work, and so would they.  Please tell me some more!

[smudger]

Sally are you sure manes turning brown is a mineral deficiency?  I bought a "black" horse and within a few weeks of turn out he started turning brown (which was his passport colour). I think it gets called sunburn/sunburnt in some places.

[SallyintNorth]

I think it gets called sunburn/sunburnt in some places.

hahahahahhahHHHHAHHHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHHHAHHAHAHAHHAHA 

You know I'm in t'frozen wastes of t'North, don'tcha?

[Eeyore]

Hi SallyintNorth,  I don't know exactly where you are but I live in Aberdeenshire and there is a company here that has produced a produce specially for the Aberdeenshire area.  It is a loose powder made up of all sorts of minerals etc and it is supposed to give your horse/ pony the correct nutrients the soil lacks. 

The company is called Norvite.  Can't remember what the product is called as we buy it in a large bag although it comes in a big tub also.

I add a scoop into my horses hard feed each day.

[jenny]

Hi there my fell is black and gets brown dapples in summer and her mane tinged brown at the ends which is normal. If you look at all the photos of fells on the society web site you will see the brown coming through on some in their native habitat. But i am sure if you want more reassurance the fell pony society will help you..
I am long reining my fell at the moment and she is going really well up and down the field. Stopping when asked, turning correct ways when asked etc.  Waiting on one day course with rosemary to get me going further.
Hope this helps.

[princesspiggy]

we use red rockies - the big ones. they last a good while and the ponies love them. we tie them up high so sheep cant reach if they are sharing fields. the white ones just dissolve in the rain.
we got the expensive mollassed vit buckets once but gone within 48 hrs and they even rolled in it.

[Remy]

Mineral deficiencies in the soil can certainly be a factor in fading coats, but some Dales ponies are genetically 'fading blacks' whereas others are pure blacks - the fading blacks (which I have) ted to go various shades of brown in their summer coat.  I've had one who has looked almost dun one summer!  They also fade more during some summers than others, I have no idea why!

My two black mares get reddish tinges in their mane also (I think it's rather attractive  ).

[lachlanandmarcus]

Just dont do what a girl at my old livery yard did with her poor beautiful young Friesian gelding. She didnt like his coat going reddish/orange in the summer so she would rug the thing up the whole time he was out, whatever the heat or  weather :-(( grrrr

[OhLaLa]

I've never had much choice with regard to salt licks. It's always been whatever the various saddlery has had in stock. Mostly they are the red ones, although at the moment I've sourced the Himalayan licks as they weather well in the outside lick holder.

I have a black native pony, her coat has always alternated between black and a sort of reddy brown in places (particularly around the flanks). She gets all her minerals and vitamins in her daily feed (plus access to the salt lick).