Fat pony!

[DalesPony]

I loan a fat dales pony. He is on his owners land, so she has control of where he grazes/how much grass he gets. I'm fully aware that he's over weight, but I feel like his owner doesn't see it as an issue.

I think he should be in in the day, and out at night, on a small strip that can be moved a bit each day. He can't wear a muzzle as he spends all his time trying to get it off, and it could become dangerous, he was stuck on a fence post last week!!!

I don't know how to suggest my weight management plan, as I don't want her to feel as though I'm taking over, but I'm petrified of him doming down with laminitis!

 

[justabob]

I would suggest you speak to the owner, god knows what a forum can do as it is in your hands.

 

[Fjord]

Could you perhaps say you've seen something online about Condition Scoring, and shall you try it on the pony? Print out instructions from the web and go through them together, it should become quite easy to see if the pony is overweight and you can then offer to research diets for her or suggest she rings one of the feed companies for advice.

 

[DalesPony]

Could you perhaps say you've seen something online about Condition Scoring, and shall you try it on the pony? Print out instructions from the web and go through them together, it should become quite easy to see if the pony is overweight and you can then offer to research diets for her or suggest she rings one of the feed companies for advice.

I like this idea!

 

[snooples]

I would suggest you speak to the owner, god knows what a forum can do as it is in your hands.

She clearly is on here asking for ways to approach owners as Id imagine the owner wont take much notice if she just goes up to her and says I think your pony is too fat.

Sorry op I have nothing constructive to add Im no good at approaching people and trying to convince them of stuff but hopefully the body condition scoring will work!

 

[Twinkley Lights]

Could you perhaps say you've seen something online about Condition Scoring, and shall you try it on the pony? Print out instructions from the web and go through them together, it should become quite easy to see if the pony is overweight and you can then offer to research diets for her or suggest she rings one of the feed companies for advice.

This ^^^ constructive advice. Good luck op.