Does she look fat?

RubysGold

RubysGold

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Is she ridiculously overweight?
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Nickie
 
yep
i think shes got a cresty neck
her stomach is rather large.. and looks fat and not just dropped
her shoulders are fat, can you see it bulge under the saddle??
her bum looks quite round too
check along her spine, as you will be able to feel fat patches there too if shes fat
 
I told my mum the other day, that starting Monday she'll be in stable through the day at least for a few hours a day.
I know she's fat, but wanted to know how fat. Judging by the responses, it's bad.
This is my first summer owning a horse, and she's a very good doer. I know thats no excuse, but now I know to watch her more closely next summer.
Nickie
 
id keep her in all day
with soaked hay and then out at night as the goodness isnt so high then.. and bring her in at 7.30am

if you feed hay soak it to take out all the nutrients
cut her feed, but do it slowly
and take her out for exercise... like marching walk to get the fat to come off in the harder places

personally id score her 3.75-4/5

can you feel her ribs??
 
Its difficult to manage the weight of a good doer - but at least you have recognised it and are putting steps in place to manage it. Just make sure she isn't starved - soaked hay if necessary to keep her gut moving and just keep her working - the weight should come off slowly - if your grass is lush it is harder but some time off it a day will soon make a difference.

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[ QUOTE ]
id keep her in all day
with soaked hay and then out at night as the goodness isnt so high then.. and bring her in at 7.30am

if you feed hay soak it to take out all the nutrients
cut her feed, but do it slowly
and take her out for exercise... like marching walk to get the fat to come off in the harder places

personally id score her 3.75-4/5

can you feel her ribs??

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Sophee has good advice here, bringing it in for a few hours really won't cut it I'm afraid.
 
At first, I tried to just up her exercise, but I soon realised that wasn't helping. I need to ring my pet shop and order some hay and straw.
I thought she'd be ok on grass, she doesn't get feed, but obviously she is very much a good doer.
Why is owning a horse so difficult?! I think I'm just going through a rough patch with horses at the moment
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at least I hope so
Nickie
 
thank you,, noones ever said that before :L
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after having an "obese horse" myself, who i didnt think was condition scored 4; as the lady didnt do it properly
i researched and researched and researched so know quite a lot now :P
i also deal with lammi prone horses at work so know how to treat that
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That's ok! You've done a good job. I know what it's like, having lost my Dales mare to laminitis 3 years ago, fat ponies scare me to death.

RubysGold if you are going to bed her on straw make sure she doesn't eat it! She could be getting all that extra free food lol!
 
Both of ours are out 24/7 on our own land and my gelding is a very good doer. In other words, the second he smells fresh grass it goes straight on his neck, belly and bum.

This is our second spring / summer together and as soon as the new grass started to grow this spring he was put in a grazing muzzle, which is on all the time, except when I'm in the field doing chores or we're riding.

It has been a great success and despite the fact he has been on lots of lush grass all summer, his weight is completely under control.

It's good you have realised your horse is overweight, many people don't. Just like humans, a regime of exercise and a controlled diet will get it off again, and you will both feel better for it.
 
RubysGold just want to say I sympathize, I really struggle with Bodey Cob’s weight too. Also got told he was too fat on here, but it’s really tough especially when he will do pretty much anything to get green stuff when he is hungry!
 
Rubysgold, just wanted to say don't buy your hay from a pet shop, it will cost you a fortune. Ask the others on your yard where they get theirs, or visit some local farmers and see if they have any decent small bale hay for sale.
 
Hey since it;s your first summer with your horse I'll tell you the BEST exercise to get weight off! It's hacking---long hacking on country lanes!! Just walking is enough!

Just thought I'd mention this as I've found some people I know think the best way to get fat off is lots of schooling/jumping etc. This probz does help but I find their horses get tired v quickly- whereas a long steady hack seems more possible for slightly-less-than-fit horseys
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Good luck
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Everything may be a little daunting to you atm but you'll soon settle in
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[ QUOTE ]
I told my mum the other day, that starting Monday she'll be in stable through the day at least for a few hours a day.

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Yeah, she is very overweight. I would certainly not be stabling her at all either, as not moving really doesn't help!! If I were you I'd definately limit her grazing - just electric tape off a bit, its pretty easy
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Much better for her to be moving about working off the calories.
 
my pony is very fat too, she about to come back into work. but she's slowly loosing weight in her grazing muzzle. defo bring in through the day soaked hay (not much) and turn out at night with grazing muzzle
 
[ QUOTE ]
Yeah, she is very overweight. I would certainly not be stabling her at all either, as not moving really doesn't help!! If I were you I'd definately limit her grazing - just electric tape off a bit, its pretty easy
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Much better for her to be moving about working off the calories.

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I totally agree
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I can't limit her grazing, not sure why but the farmer has an issue with it, so I have to either bring her in through the day, or I can use a grazing muzzle, but I have heard they can rub, so I'm dubious about using one.
Thanks for all the advice everyone
Nickie
 
I'd bring her in if you can and give her a bit of well soaked (overnight) hay. My boy lost loads of weight while on box rest so it is possible although better for their minds if they can be out.
Muzzles can rub at first but not always...worth a try anyway I'd have thought although I always worry they'll get hooked up or lose them...
 
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