HOW CAN I FIND THE RIGHT RETIREMENT HOME FOR MY HORSE OR PONY?
HOW ARE SHOW HORSES TRANSITIONED TO THEIR NEW LIFE?
Each horse should be eased gradually into the new life of
retirement. At Fountain Greene, a new horse gets the turn-out he
is comfortable with. Some want to be outside 24/7 with free
access to an attached stall. Others are more comfortable with a
shorter turn out schedule and then quiet time back in the
enclosed stall. The turn outs are customized and assessed as the
needs and comfort levels change to create a stress free
environment.
ARE THE HORSES TURNED OUT IN LARGE GROUPS?
This is never a good practice. Horses will be hazed and harassed
and often are injured. The aggressive ones keep the more timid
ones away from the food.
At Fountain Greene, the horses are paired or pastured in groups
of three compatible friends. They are monitored for safety and
personality matches. This way the horses are safe to be the
healthy playful social animals they were meant to be.
ARE ALL FEEDS CREATED EQUAL?
No emphatically. The horses at Fountain Greene are fed only the
highest grade national products to assure standard and safety
controls under the guidance of a nutritionist. The hay is grown
and harvested on the grounds with supplemental bales purchased
of the best timothy blend.
DOES EACH HORSE NEED A STALL?
Each horse needs his own secure space to be individually fed and to
be protected from inclement weather and flies. At Fountain Greene,
each horse has his stall or large secure building (with fan as
needed). These individual “homes” are cleaned and well bedded on a
daily basis. The bedding is selected based on each horse’s medical
conditions from hypoallergenic pellets to the best wood shavings.
NOW THAT MY HORSE ISN’T IN WORK, CAN HE LIVE ON GRASS ALONE?
There is no one answer. Each horse is unique. Horses require
essential nutrients; particularly as the horse ages, his feed must
be individualized, taking into account issues such as Cushings,
founder, and weakened teeth. At Fountain Greene, each horse is
individually assessed so that his needs are met. The feeding plans
are revised and updated on a regular basis.
Horses at Fountain Greene are fed up to four times a day in easily
digestible portions with each horse receiving the needed
supplements and watered down gruel to accommodate for chewing
issues.
ARE HORSES HAPPY TO PLAY IN THE SNOW AND SPEND THE WINTERS IN THE
COLDER NORTHERN CLIMATES?
The cold weather is very hard on horses, particularly aging horses
that must expend a great deal of energy to stay warm in spite of
a heavier coat. Moving around on ice and snow adds to the
difficulties brought on by arthritis and old injuries.
Fountain Greene is located in the temperate climate of Virginia
where the grass is retained year round and the horses do not
face frigid temperatures.
DO PASTURES REQUIRE REGULAR MAINTENANCE?
Good pastures are a year round job to maintain. They need to be
kept clean and reseeded on a regular basis with the necessary
care of the soil.
Fountain Greene takes pride in its lush pastures with a full time
staff to maintain and renew them.
DOES MY HORSE NEED REGULAR FARRIER, VETERINARIAN AND DENTAL VISITS
NOW THAT HE IS NOT IN WORK?
Fountain Greene has a farrier on site every week. All horses get
trims every 5-6 weeks- with shoes and corrective work as needed.
Regular maintenance includes veterinary checkups, vaccinations,
floating of teeth. Teeth are checked two times a year and hand
floated as needed. Fountain Greene as a long term relationship
with the leading clinics for any diagnostic needs or emergency
care.
SHOULD MY HORSE BE DEWORMED TWICE A YEAR?
Fountain Greene follows the protocol of fecal checking so that
horses are dewormed as needed with the deworming medication that
addresses each specific case.
HOW MUCH CARE DOES A RETIRED HORSE NEED?
At Fountain Greene we know that your horse still needs personal
care and attention each day. Our horses are clipped and bathed
when needed as we take pride in the health and safety of each
horse on the farm. It takes a large staff to maintain a high
standard.
WHY DO WE INSIST ON SUCH HIGH STANDARDS AT
FOUNTAIN GREENE?
We have a long term staff of
experienced and caring women whose professional training on
site spans 30 years. We will accept nothing less.
CHOOSE FOUNTAIN GREENE
BECAUSE YOUR HORSE DESERVES THE BEST!