Eek!! I'm so gonna be in trouble now........

[Porkie]

My 29 yo loan horse is on a diet.

The weight is not shifting.

I can't literally starve him and I can't work him any more than I do, he is already ridden 5-6 days a week! He's an old man I can't work him THAT hard!!

but........his owner (also now a good friend) is going to take him in a veterans show in March and has said 'if they comment he is 'fat' you're so in trouble'!!

Eeek - what to do, what to do ???!!!

 

[CeeBee]

Liposuction?

 

[Eriskayowner]

I know it's hard at the moment and the fields are more like swamps, but have you got an area (either hard standing or dryish field) where he could be turned out 24/7 with decent rugs so that he's moving around more but with restricted grazing?

The only thing I'd say is at his age, don't change his routine drastically or quickly as it could induce colic etc.

 

[Booboos]

I think there are some feed companies that offer nutritional advice which might help. I think the current thinking is that you need a specific feeding regime to get the metabolism going, rather than strict starvation - but perhaps this is something you have already tried.

 

[eggs]

Put lighter weight rugs on so he has to use some energy to keep warm?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

All of the above and replace some of his hay with good quality oat straw, so that he still has plenty of fibre but not as many calories.