Fat pony, restricted grazing, logistical issues

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So, son's 11.2 Welsh A is fat. Seriously fat.

I know she's not getting enough exercise but struggle to motivate a 10 year old to ride consistently. Have been lunging her for 15 - 20 minutes when i can but fields are totally water logged (ducks have moved into residence). While I can do ride/lead it's not always practical.

The problem I have is this:

2 ponies which ideally need restricted grazing; 1 of which has no respect for electric tape and will just plow through it.

1 oldie who need plenty of room to walk about and get good grazing to keep his condition on.

1 youngster (2 year old Welsh A) who has no weight issues.

Due to working full time ponies get let out in the morning at about 7.30am and don't come back in again until anytime between 4.30 and 6pm depending on work.

Have grazing muzzles for 2 good doers but while it seems to work for the Exmoor the fat Sec A still piles on the pounds.

How does anyone else cope with a diverse herd when it comes to monitoring weight on only a couple?
 
Preferably I'd diet the section a over winter so it starts summer at a 2.5, then over summer use exercise, muzzle etc to slow the weight gain down so by start of winter its no more than 3.5. Then let it lose over winter again. Unless in full work, best way to manage a native imo. Just now if it was mine I'd be looking to exercise as much as possible. Find another child to ride too, ride & lead, longlining & lunging when ground dry. Then probably out 24/7 in a muzzle. Out in a muzzle it will have to keep moving to find long grass. If it must come in, soaked hay & straw mixed & double netted.
 
littlelegs said:
Preferably I'd diet the section a over winter so it starts summer at a 2.5, then over summer use exercise, muzzle etc to slow the weight gain down so by start of winter its no more than 3.5. Then let it lose over winter again. Unless in full work, best way to manage a native imo. Just now if it was mine I'd be looking to exercise as much as possible. Find another child to ride too, ride & lead, longlining & lunging when ground dry. Then probably out 24/7 in a muzzle. Out in a muzzle it will have to keep moving to find long grass. If it must come in, soaked hay & straw mixed & double netted.
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Think I will have to do this next winter.

She's in at night (along with all of them) and getting a 4lb haynet (doubled up) Hay isn't great and quite rough as late cut so more roughage than anything. Don't have any straw but over weekend did start to think about getting a few bales in to do a mix of hay /straw. Beddingwise she is down on woodpellets as she would eat anything else!
 
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