Best way for getting weight off

[Tiffany]

My RID mare who is a good doer is currently on controlled exercise and needs to lose some weight. She's on a handful of happyhoof and hi fibre cubes with carrots, garlic and haylage.

She's not in work at the moment but when she is she doesn't need more energy

Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks

 

[Cliqmo]

Any particular reason for the haylage? Generally it is higher in calories and energy than hay so a simple swap could sort you out.

 

[hellybelly6]

I could cut out the haylage and the cubes.

If you cannot stop the haylage, feed it damp to reduce the calories.

Obviously, do not starve her, but cut her chaff down to a handful and feed a general purpose supplement to make sure she gets all her vits and minerals.

Brisk walking is a great fat burner. Goes without saying to keep her off the grass too.

 

[Tiffany]

Should have mentioned that the yard she is on only have haylage at the moment although I'm told it's not high in protein etc. Must say it doesn't look brilliant but I know that doesn't always reflect calorific content.

 

[hellybelly6]

Its not protein which puts on weight, its calories.

 

[lizzieuk1]

H also has probs with putting weight on in summer, must be the ID in him aswell, anyway he now wears a bucket muzzle for part of the day and that is really helping although he doesn;t know what to do with it and doesn;t eat when he has it on yet!

 

[Tiffany]

[ QUOTE ]
Its not protein which puts on weight, its calories.

[/ QUOTE ]

Didn't word very well but I understand it's calories that put on weight but too much protein is not good either and that's what I meant to say.

 

[lilym]

can you make a U shaped pen??? these are great! you put the water at one end and some well soaked hay at the other and they have to walk all the way round to eat or drink!!

 

[hellybelly6]

I agree with too much protein not being good.

By rinsing the haylage in water, it should lower the calories and protein levels.

A u-shaped bit of strip grazing is a good idea.

Having a highland X, I have very similar problems as you do. My horse cant have hay and has high fibre horsehage instead.

 

[Tiffany]

Like the idea of the U shaped pen. Could do with trying one for me with G&T one end and pasta at the other

 

[LiberationSquare]

Try and cut back on teh protein - move on to wet Hay perhaps?

Then obviously plenty of exercise when poss!