Fat Pony :( Advice please?!

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Rupert-the-bear

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Hi all!

I have a NF who is a very good do-er. When I got him a year ago he was very overweight and it has taken a year to get him down to the correct weight, (starvation paddock, lots of exercise, stables 12hrs a day with 2kg hay)

However, the yard owner has now put him on 'Winter grazing' as she claims theres no goodness in the grass. So he is now has a huge field with a good 4-6 inches of LUSH grass. In the last 2 weeks, he has pilled on the weight and we are back to where we were last year. All my hard work is wasted.

I cannot increase his exercise as I get to the yard in the pitch black in the morning and evening, he will not eat soaked hay, and I cannot muzzle him whilst in the field.

Am losing the will to live at the moment, and YO isn't very approachable (has a get on with it or go attitude) so really don't know what to do.

Any idea's/advice much appreciated!

Thanks!
 
I'd be moving yards.

Not only is it against your wishes but it's clearly not in the horses best interest. I'd put up strip grazing in winter paddock for now if possible.
 
As others. I have the same type in a mare and it's impossible to keep her trim without strip grazing even now they make the best of any calories. Cheeky YO to do that without talking to you.
 
I'd move yards but if you want to stay there you could bring the horse in overnight and give him enough chaff to eat all night with just a little soaked hay. This regime has helped my overweight horse (bought that way) to lose weight better than anything else.
 
Thanks everyone. Unable to strip graze as she will go crazy if I change anything. Can't muzzle due to injury to chin, also he is very aggressive towards other horses and is now in with a 10hh pony (was individual turn out in starvation paddock) which h keeps attacking.

Hmm, have been toying with the idea of moving, but there are litterally NO diy yards near me :(

Very concerned about the risk of lami :(
 
Plenty of DIY and fields in Hampshire, very few advertise. I personally would move mine in a heartbeat if health was at risk.
Check local feed stores and tack shops and ask around.
 
Frankly I'd be moving yards if the YO/YM won't listen. - purely for the best interest of the pony. After all, it's your horse, and as you're on DIY it should be your decision. Where I am the grass is coming through very quickly and is very lush, perfect recipe for lami :(
 
I agree there is still enough goodness in the grass to be worried. Someone said to me at the weekend not to worry about the grass anymore but looking at my horse's tummy I can see that it is still full of carbs.

Is there anyone else that could come and help with some exercise during the day? Maybe a 20 min lunge if you would prefer that to someone riding your horse.

Also have you perservered with the soaked hay, mine turned his nose up at his to begin with but now eats it perfectly happily. They will usually give it a go if there is no alternative.

I would go back to YO againl and make sure there is nothing else she can do to help, does she understand how worried you are about lami, would she come up with some options if she knew you were considering looking else where? Your winter grazing sounds too much for most ponies so I don't think you are being unreasonable to ask for alternative turnout.
 
move yards asap

soak hay he will eat it eventually being in for 12hrs with only 2kg of hay increases risk of ulcers although sometimes you have to risk the lesser of 2 evils

put him back in starvation paddock,

its your horse, did you not get any warning, I would write to YO and if he went down with lami present them with the vets bill
 
I'd have a long chat with the YO and if that gets you know where then I'd be moving yards. I have a good doer and she is still muzzled now, there's no way I'd put her out with her muzzle. I give my mare soaked hay and she refused to eat it, after 5 hours and knowing she wasn't getting anything else she soon tucked into it. They will it if you don't give in :)
 
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