Fat pony (again)

[FlorenceBassey]

Really need to get some weight off my lad who has recently come back from loan, He has copd so cant give him hay over haylege plus where i am i can get any hay at the moment so he has been getting sa very small amount of haylege, how many people have used something hifi light as a hay replacer and how sucsessful is it?? When i can get some hay he will be out on soaked hay but it doesnt look like it will be anytime soon!

Also in stable yard

 

[Justine834]

I have never tried anything as a hay replacer as my lad is ok on hay, but he is also overweight.
You didnt say anything about him being turned out but if he is you could try something like a grazing muzzle? Also being turned out might help with his COPD?
I usea muzzle of a night as my boy is in during the day and out at night. It may halp cut how much haylege you have to use as well.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Best thing I ever did was ring a feed nutrition helpline. I called TopSpec as I use their feeds as a preference. They advised me what and how much to feed and also suggested that I soak the hay for 12-24 hours....and as we use a really dry haylage, almost hay - I soak this. I wouldn't go soaking silvermoor - for example - but the hay/haylage soaked seems to be doing wonders for getting the weight down. I also restrict the grazing (mine is out for 4-5 hours max on a day off, and only an hour or two on working days - cruel, I know - but haven't got a proper starvie and I'm not keen to muzzle, plus horse prefers his stable anyway!).

With their advice, loads of hacking and building up the work regime, I have managed to get some 60kg off my boy in three months time.