Ranvet

August has seen not one, not two, but three Ranvet riders proudly wear the Australian flag competing abroad! 🌎️

Sponsored Rider Farann Bussa proudly represented Australia this month in South Africa for two Polocrosse carnivals. Kicking off at the Shongweni High Goal carnival, before taking on the 2026 South African Test Series.

After just a few days to familiarise themselves with their loaned horses for the test series, the team jumped straight into three head-to-head matches! The Aussie Women's team took the clean sweep, winning 3–0 with some thrilling performances and high-scoring games, including matches with more than 30 goals!

National Team Selection it's a huge achievement, let alone being crowned the undefeated series champions! Congratulations Farann, we are so proud of you ⭐️

From your favourites’ album to ours! 📸 Let’s take a look at the entries from our final bonus challenge! We’ve seen so many amazing memories, and we can truly feel and see the joy that Pony Club can bring ❤️

There's not long to go now until we announce our two winning clubs! Stay tuned, because the big announcement is happening tomorrow night at 6pm! 🎉

Happy National Dog Day! Our dog-friendly office at Ranvet wouldn't be the same without our furry friends. Bear, Xandy, and Benson! They really are the best!

Also, big special mention to our regular visitors Daisy, Crumpet and Luna and to all the furry friends who pop in from time to time! We love having you around! ❤️🐕

Should I Feed my Horse from the Ground? 🪣

Hay net on the fence? Feed bin on the ground? There are plenty of opinions about the “right” height to feed a horse, but does feeding position actually matter?

The short answer is yes, it can!

From a nutritional and digestive perspective, horses have evolved to spend a large portion of their day grazing with their head lowered. While there are certainly situations where elevated feeding is useful, feeding in a more natural head-down position can have several advantages.

For most healthy horses, forage provided at a safe, low level is generally the most natural feeding position. When we think back to a natural environment, horses can spend many hours each day grazing and browsing. This means their head and neck are frequently lowered while they chew and swallow. When possible, providing forage at or closer to ground level helps replicate this natural feeding behaviour.

Potential benefits include:

💙 Encouraging a more natural head and neck position.
💙 Supporting normal chewing and swallowing.
💙 Allowing a natural drainage of respiratory secretions.
💙 Promoting natural grazing behaviour.
💙 Potentially reducing unnecessary strain associated with repeatedly eating from an elevated position.

Where feeding from the ground may become tricky is in sandy, muddy or undesirable environmental conditions. Horses can inadvertently consume sand and soil while picking up hay or concentrate, particularly when trying to collect every last piece of feed. Whilst small amounts may pass through, over time, significant sand accumulation within the gastrointestinal tract can evolve. This can contribute to digestive problems, including sand colic.

Further, in wet weather conditions, feeding directly on to mud (or even water in some severe we weather cases) can cause feed spoilage, which can also cause digestive upset.

If your paddocks or yards are subject to these conditions, consider:

💙 Using a large rubber feed mat
💙 Feeding from a wide, shallow tub
💙 Using a low-positioned slow feeder.
💙 Placing hay on a clean, solid surface.

You should avoid scattering hard feed directly onto any undesirable ground. Afterall, the goal isn’t to feed from the dirt! It’s to encourage a lower, more natural head position while keeping the feed clean and safe.

What if my horse is stabled?

The stable environment certainly adds a new layer to the height equation! Whilst we still must consider the aforementioned traits, we must also factor in safety in the more restricted environment. Stables are naturally smaller in size, which can mean on the ground feeders not only take up valuable room, but can also become a source of injury with horses more likely to stand, roll or even sleep on them. Similarly for hay nets, we must factor the risk of our horses rolling or even getting cast, ensuring that heights are as clear from this danger zone as possible.

Similarly to our concerns regarding sand and soil, bedding can also play a part. Shaving, straw and sawdust can be equally as undesirable when consumed in unplanned amounts. Further, they do generate a considerable degree of dust, which again, is not favourable for the respiratory tract!

Thus, with all that considered, the best advice is

💙 Choose a height that is a happy medium; comfortable but also safe!
💙 Avoid feeding above wither height
💙 If you are feeding from the ground, consider removing feeders after horses are finished
💙 Keep feed areas well ventilated
💙 Reduce stable dust by keeping bedding clean
💙 Reduce feed dust by wetting down feed or supplying a mash
💙 Reduce hay dust by choosing high quality varieties, or consider steaming or soaking where appropriate.

In summary, aim to make feeding as natural as reasonably possible in all situations. This doesn’t mean throwing every meal straight onto the ground!

Instead:

💙 Encourage a comfortable, lowered head position.
💙 Keep feed away from sand, manure and mud.
💙 Minimise respiratory exposure to dusty forage.
💙 Place feeders in positions that don’t pose a safety risk. Balance natural behaviour with safety at all times.
💙 Adjust feeding systems for each individual horse, considering their height, environment and any specific health ailments.

Should I Feed my Horse from the Ground? Should I Feed my Horse from the Ground? Hay net on the fence? Feed bin on the ground? There are plenty of opinions about the “right” height to

Wow wow wow!! What else can we say about sponsored rider Tom Mcdermott and Oaks Ventriloquist's performance at the Aachen World Equestrian Games 2026! ⭐️

From a stellar clear round on Day 2, to competing under the lights in front of a sold out crowd of 40,000 people in the final, there were so many unforgettable moments.

We are so very proud to be a part of this incredible journey and we can't wait to see them back on the world stage again! Tom and Venti you are just amazing! ❤️

LAST CHANCE TO WIN YOUR PONY CLUB A $4000 PRIZE!!

This is your final chance to earn as many points as possible towards your pony clubs winning chances in our VIPA Giveaway! Complete as many bonus tasks as you can before 8am Monday, August 24th to be in the running. We will be drawing the TWO winning clubs next week!

The clock is ticking!! You've got to be in it to win it 🕰️

Wishing our wonderful Quality Assurance Manager Petek a very Happy Birthday! We hope you have a great day! ❤️🎂

Ranvet's VIPA III Giveaway - Final Bonus Entries Challenge

The time has come for the very last bonus entries challenge! This is your final chance to earn more points towards your clubs winning chances in our VIPA Giveaway. Earn your club 3 extra entries by sharing with us in the comments your favourite Pony Club Photo!

For this challenge
⭐️Entries counted are appropriate comments made only on this designated post. Ranvet has the ultimate discretion on what is deemed an acceptable entry.
⭐️The photo can depict any appropriate Pony Club memory or event, recent or past.
⭐️Comments must include your Pony Club Name and State to be properly counted
⭐️Entries are accepted from now, till the competition close on 8am, August 24th
⭐️1 entry per person is accepted, per platform (Facebook & Instagram), for this bonus task.
⭐️Official Club Pages may also submit 1 entry, per platform (Facebook & Instagram), for this bonus task.

Have any questions, DM us at any time for assistance!

Has your club entered yet? Fill out the application form, check out the current leaderboard and find out more here: Ranvet's Vipa Giveaway for Australian Pony Clubs | Ranvet
It is not too late to get involved! Bonus challenges from weeks past are still open and can be completed.