Fittness question

[jesterfaerie]

I am currently looking after two over weight ponies, I do not own them or the land they are grazing on. There are in quite a large field and I don't think I am able cut back their intake (although I seriously would like to) is exercising without cutting back their food be benificial to thier weight at all or would it not make much a difference?

 

[carthorse]

Yes ,of course it will help, build it up slowly, do as much hill work as you can if time is short you can always ride and lead even if it is only safe to do so in the field the more they move the better. Can you keep them in during the day to limit their intake of grass?

 

[jesterfaerie]

No I can't. I am currently saving up to buy them both grazing muzzles as it has worked wonders on my lad but I never expected to be in the situation of having two more horses in my care so finances are stretched when it comes to buying extras. I have tried fencing them off but they just killed the fencing within two mins, one jumped over the other ploughed through it, I am hoping to try get an electric supply to the fence.

 

[carthorse]

They sound FUN!!!!!!!!!!!Can't the owner buy the grazing muzzles it would be cheaper than a vet bill if they get laminitis or is it a difficult situation?

 

[jesterfaerie]

I have contacted the ilph about the horses, as they have been abandoned, I have posted several posts about them as they were left in a bad state (feet and very over weight)