Peek at the Pony Layout, Barn, My Herd & a Few Favorite Equine Supplies

If you’re here for my equine, welcome!

This post gives you a quick blip about how I have things set up for my ponies, and mini horse, a few supplies I use regularly, and of course, an introduction to the little herd that keeps things lively around here.

I’m not a trainer, rider, or anything fancy, I just love being around ponies and horses.

There’s something peaceful about the sound of hooves in the pasture, the smell of hay, and the quiet routine of barn chores.

So, whether you're pony-curious, a fellow equine lover, or just here for curiosity, I'm glad you stopped by.

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THE BARN

Let’s start with the barn!

We've got a 30×32 barn with a pink, purple, and soft blue interior, plus a small stall that can be heated in case of a health emergency or those extra-cold farrier appointments.

There’s also a dry lot, approximately 18,750 square feet, divided into two spaces so we can separate them if needed.

One side has access to a small lean-to, and the other opens to the main barn.

We’ve built hay stations designed to keep hay off the sandy ground, and I can easily wash these spaces with the garden hose.

The grass pasture—about 2.25 acres—is used for grazing mostly in the early mornings or late evenings, when sugar levels are hopefully a bit lower.

The flower garden is also now in the corner of the pasture, so I have a pretty spectacular view when watering, weeding, and flower-picking chores happen.

We also have a fun firepit spot and a little table centered in the pasture that's perfect for evening fires and lunch date picnics.

At the back of our property, we’ve kept up some simple trails where we take the ponies for walks.

It’s Cedar’s favorite spot—she loves a good farm-night stroll.

I also keep in magical with fairytale surprises.

And lastly, we have the most adorable little trailer that we restored for hauling when needed.

But honestly, we usually just pay the extra for farm calls, so nobody ever has to leave the farm.

NEXT, LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO MY HERD

MY MINIATURE SHETLAND PONY

Mixie – The Boss Mare in a Mini Body

Mixie was the first pony we welcomed to our farm back in 2017, and she’s been ruling the place ever since.

She’s a 32-inch miniature Shetland with a raspy morning neigh you can hear from inside the house, her way of yelling, "Bring me my breakfast!"

She’s full of opinions and will give you a sassy diva head toss just to remind you she runs the show.

Mixie is absolutely the queen bee around here… and also my best freaking friend.

She came to us with some health challenges, namely Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), chronic laminitis, and a frustrating condition called fecal water syndrome.

Her care routine includes a low-sugar, all-hay diet (no pasture), soaked hay when needed, special supplements, and regular farrier visits, every four weeks.

She also wears boots with foam pads when her hooves are sore and is on a vet prescribed daily medication to help manage her insulin levels.

Yes, she’s a lot of work, but the bond we’ve built through her care is one of the strongest I’ve ever had with an animal.

She’s not just a pony, she’s, my heart.

And with Mixie’s health, we’re always a little unsure how much time we’ll get.

But one thing I do know?

Saying goodbye to her someday is going to be incredibly hard.

MY MINIATURE HORSE

Cedar – The Wild Bush Baby

Cedar is our little wild-hearted mini horse and one of the sweetest companions on the farm.

She came home in 2017 after our paths crossed twice—once when I passed on her due to her lack of handling, and again six months later through a surprise reply to a Craigslist ad I posted.

I figured the universe was trying to tell me something, and I’m so glad I listened.

Cedar was nervous and unsure at first, earning her the nickname Wild Bush Baby, but with time (and lots of treats), she came around.

Now, she’s my favorite trail-walking buddy and a peaceful presence in the herd.

She loves brushing, pool play, dressing up in tutus, and just watching the action around the farm.

She still doesn’t love strangers, or the vet, but she’s come such a long way, and her curious, cautious personality is one I’ve grown to adore.

Out of all my equine, she’s the one who’s never racked up a big vet bill... so far!

MY LITTLE PONY

Shiloh – The Sweet Soul

Shiloh joined our little farm during the uncertain spring of 2020, when someone I barely knew, technically a neighbor who lived just a few roads over, showed up at my door and asked if I might be willing to give their pony a home.

I had never met Shiloh, and the owner was still a stranger to us, but something about the situation tugged at my heart.

After a few days of thinking (and a nudge from my husband), I went to meet her.

A few days later, Shiloh came home, and we’ve been lucky to have her ever since.

She’s a senior pony in her late-twenties and has been diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, and most recently in 2025, a heart murmur.

She’s also lost quite a bit of weight this year due to age, her wave mouth, and the combination of all these conditions.

These days, she gets extra calories, daily vet-prescribed medications, regular hoof care, and as much comfort as we can give her.

Shiloh may not have many big adventures ahead, but she’s earned her peaceful days.

She’s gentle, soft-eyed, and incredibly sweet, and despite the what-ifs and the worries, I’m so glad I said yes to the knock on the door.

LASTLY, A FEW THINGS YOU'LL FIND ON MY FARM

FENCING

Zebra Solar Fence Charger - This is the solar charger I use on my farm along with Polywire. It powers up to 5 miles in ideal conditions and up to 2.5 miles with light weeds. It's super easy to install and we used a coper grounding wire for our sandy soil.

HOOF CARE

White Grand Circuit Lightening for Horses - This is the best product I’ve used so for white line disease! It thoroughly cleans the hooves, getting into every nook and cranny, and creates an environment that’s tough on fungal infections and bacteria.

EasyCare Easy Boot Mini - These are the boots I use for Mixie during her laminitis flare-ups. I add EasyCare comfort supports for extra cushioning, and I do have to cut the pads to size for the perfect fit.

Vetericyn Hoof Care - This is my go-to as a preventative for thrush issues in the hoof.

Horseshoers Secret Hoof Oil - a good product if your equine spends a lot of time on a dry lot with sand like mine do. It really helps keep their hooves from drying out and cracking.

SUPPLEMENTS - FEES AND WATER

Brewer Yeast - Regarding Mixie's fecal water issues, Brewer Yeast has been the best supplement I've added to her diet to help, but I recommend consulting with your vet before using it. I discovered this after Mixie had already been on a vet-prescribed regimen of Metronidazole and Saccharomyces. While those prescriptions and the Brewer Yeast haven’t completely resolved the issue, it has significantly helped.

Absorbine Bute-Less Comfort & Recovery Supplement Pellets - Since I can’t keep my pony Mixie on NSAIDs like Banamine or Bute long term for her hoof concerns, I’ve been using this product as a helpful alternative. It’s not a quick fix—it probably took about 4 weeks to notice a difference—but it helps her stay comfortable without the added risks to her GI system that daily NSAID use can cause.

Sand Clear - because we keep everyone mostly on a dry lot that is all sand, we use a product called Sand Clear on a monthly basis which was recommended by our vet to help prevent possible sand colic issues.

Probios Feed Granules - This is another product I keep in the barn and use when needed by mixing it into everyone’s feed—especially during times of loose stool or anything that might upset their gut microbes. I use it after deworming, during vet-prescribed medications, or when there’s a sudden diet change. It contains a source of live, naturally occurring microorganisms to help maintain normal digestive function.

16 Gallon Heated Water Tub - This heated water bucket is a must-have for winter on the farm, no need to break ice. The built-in heating element prevents freezing, so my ponies always have access to fresh water as long as it's full. It’s energy-efficient with thermostatic control, and the hidden heater ensures safety. I also keep a flat back heated bucket in case I need to separate anyone in winter for any reason.

100 Gallon Rubbermaid Stock Tank - In the warmer months water is drank from the stock tank that I clean weekly and refill.

Tough 1 Slow Feed Hay Nets - I use hay nets because they slow down the pony's hay consumption and reduce waste, which is especially helpful for my girls with Equine Metabolic Syndrome. I have multiple hay nets on hand, so I only have to fill them once a week, which is fantastic when it's cold outside.

WHAT I FEED BESIDES HAY

Tiple Crown Timothy Hay Cubes
Triple Crown Alfalfa Hay Cubes
ADM Metabolic Pellets

FLY CONTROL

SHOOFLY Leggins -The SHOOFLY Leggins are my favorite fly boots for my miniature horse, Cedar. They fit perfectly, are easy to put on and take off, and I love that sticky burrs and hay don’t cling to them. They’re lightweight with great air circulation, keeping Cedar comfortable.

Tough 1 Mesh Fly Boots - Mixie and Shiloh have the Tough 1 pony sized fly boots, which are a little higher up on the leg then the Shooflys.

As for fly repellents my go-to are usually:

GROOMING SUPPLIES

Mane 'n Tail Shampoo & Conditioner - My go-to for bathing! It’s affordable, easy to find at most local stores, and works well for all the tail and back-end washing I end up doing around here.

Cowboy Magic Detangler - I haven’t tried a ton of detanglers, but this one is my top pick. I don’t love Mane ‘n Tail’s detangler, it seems to dry the hair out. Cowboy Magic leaves the mane and tail smooth, soft, and easy to brush through.

Shapleys M-T-G Skin Healing and Hair Growth Skin Treatment - This product helps soothe Mixie’s skin from fecal water irritation, rashes, and bug bites. It’s also great for promoting hair regrowth on rubbed or irritated areas. Bonus: some DIY fly spray recipes even include this as an ingredient!

Shedding Blade - This blade is perfect for getting rid of all those layers of hair that hung on through the cold winter months.

BASIC TACK AND GEAR

Tough 1 Miniature Turnout Blanket- This turnout blanket is perfect for my miniature horse, Cedar, on extremely cold days. It’s super easy to put on, and the 600-denier waterproof shell with 250 grams of poly fill keeps her warm. Since Cedar doesn’t have as thick of a coat as her pony sisters, having this jacket on hand is so helpful on really cold days.

Rope Halter - I prefer using rope halters for my ponies because they’re simple, durable, and provide great control without being too bulky.

Grazing Muzzle - These grazing muzzles are used when my ponies with Equine Metabolic Syndrome are out in the pasture, helping to limit their grass intake. They're also great for ponies that need to lose a bit of weight. I made DIY rabbit fur pieces to put on our muzzles to prevent rubbing, but I've since learned that you can also buy them. Wool Grazing Muzzle Liners.

Thank you so much for stopping by Farm Dust and Paint today.

It means the world to me and my little farm.

And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @farmdustandpaint or on Pinterest, where I share photos and links to more of my favorite finds.

XOXO

Emily

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