Fat pony

[RubysGold]

My mare started putting on weight as soon as they started living out 24/7 for summer. But it was controlled becuase she was in work about 5 days a week.
She hurt her back recently, and had a week off, I've ridden her about 3 times in the last week, she seems to have ballooned in that time. I don't want to start making her stand in a stable seenas i think its only due to lack of work.
Because of the extra weight, schooling seems to have gone completely wrong, she's making it hard for me becuase its harder for her etc, and so I give up sooner.
Do you think if I just forget the schooling and just make her work longer and more often, is that a good way of getting the weight of her? She's not obese or anything, but I'd like to stop her before she gets obese.
Nickie

 

[Donkeymad]

Take her for some long hacks if she is up to it, and add as much trot as you can, especially uphill.That will soon knock some weight off.

 

[Vizslak]

Add some lunging into the equation if shes wearing you out when you are on top, personally I wouldnt stop schooling altogether as you don't want her to learn she can get away with being lazy.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Just up her workload - lots of trotting should help tone her up - it sounds like she just has a bit of a grass belly!!

 

[RubysGold]

Hmm, that's a good idea except I would be going round terrified lol, I could take her to the field down the lane thats on a hill and go up and down that. I'm terrified of taking her on roads, even though she is pretty bomb proof its too dangerous.
Nickie

 

[RubysGold]

Thanks, I lunged her the other day, so will lunge her maybe twice a week, and ride for say an hour 3 days? would that be enough? I only ride about half an hour normally.
Nickie

 

[Vizslak]

sounds fine, any increased work load will drop the weight fairly quickly, If you cant manage schooling her for an hour lunge her for 20 mins first and then ride for your normal half an hour.