Disheartened

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DalesPony

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My pony has only lost 2kg in 2 weeks. despite being on restricted grazing and coming in at night, and being ridden or lunged 5 times a week.

I don't have time to ride more, and he has to go out in the day, or he'll turn himself inside out.

He has no hardfeed, and one a small haynet when he comes in.

Help!
 
Don't despair!
This is the hardest time of year to get weight off, so anything is an achievement in my book!
It will get much easier as the grass growth slows down a bit.
It took me almost a year to get 55kg off my cob but it was well worth it and its much safer and kinder to do it slowly rather than crash dieting them.
 
hollybear said:
Don't despair!
This is the hardest time of year to get weight off, so anything is an achievement in my book!
It will get much easier as the grass growth slows down a bit.
It took me almost a year to get 55kg off my cob but it was well worth it and its much safer and kinder to do it slowly rather than crash dieting them.
Click to expand...

Just feel useless, fed up of the snide comments, I didn't purposely let him get fat, the grass just crept up on us out of no where :(

People can be so cruel
 
Hi I struggle with mine at this time of year too. I feel sorry for them having so many restrictions on feeding and yet still not losing weight...how long are you riding for and what sort of work are you doing?
 
I know its hard finding the time but could you extend the work sessions any more? I have found that at this time of year I have to school for at least 50 mins to 1 hour perhaps 3 times a week as well as the other lunging and hacking work which I do for similar times to you. I also find my horse is more active and forward early in the morning so I find getting up earlier and riding her then helps, rather than in the evening when she has a full belly and would prefer to chill in her stable :) . When I school I do loads and loads of trot work with her (at least 60% of session) , include some jumping and i have found this is the only way to make any difference to her weight. I also put up jumps when I am lunging and do some loose schooling at the end of the session to encourage her to keep moving forwards and burn some more calories.

I totally feel your pain because its hard work and a constant worry, esp when people see them and make a comment not realising how much you are already doing. Don't be disheartened though, like the other poster said even keeping their weight from increasing is hard enough at this time of year.
 
Thanks Wandamere, I'll give it a go. I like the idea of seapping my riding sessions to the morning - perhaps it will wake me up too! I'm a uni student and this is the first summer I've worked full time (5 days a week) as well as 1 day on the weekend and I am now starting to understand why the ladies that work full time + have young children are so organised!
 
Are you soaking his hay? That can help a lot. If you soak it for a good long time you might even be able to increase his rations a little so he's less likely to stuff his face as soon as he hits the grass. (Although some horses seem to do this regardless of how hungry they are - we have one like that!) You could mix some good quality straw in with his hay as well, which will keep him munching but with fewer calories. Another thing to try would be putting him out overnight instead of during the day, if that's possible, as the grass is suppose to have less sugar in it then.
 
Definitely try soaking the hay/cutting it with straw if at all possible, it does help. It is very hard with a good doer but you will get there.
 
Well done for sticking at your regime, you have to be very dedicated at this game. Have you considered a grazing muzzle? A lot of people at my yard use them as we get some pretty juicy stuff around this time of year. If you feel too mean or he can't adjust to it, making the hole a fraction bigger with a knife can help. Good luck and keep trying!
 
I read a report on laminitis recently and part of the report was about exercise. They advised that as little as 30 mins in active walk per day could maintain weight and keep off the extra if on restricted grazing.

Based on that I would say that your lunging needs to be a min of 30 mins but ideally 45 mins per day, doing an active walk with some trot in intervals. Then make your hacking as active as possible too and you should see a little more weight loss but like everyone says, its hard at this time of the year.
 
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