Forever fat cob

motherof2beasts! said:
I can see on my stable camera he has finished his 7kgs of soaked hay, I mean how, he must inhale it , it’s in a nibbleze net too.
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Mines the same, the only thing that slowed her down was hanging it from the rafters, but then I was concerned about it doing her neck damage from the way she was yanking at the damn thing.
I ended up going for the shires haybags, meaning she could only grab hay from the specific mesh window, and a barley straw bed. She's fine with eating straw, no worries there digestively, and I figured, well, if you're starrrving hungry, you can eat the straw.
The research that they produce less stomach acid overnight and can therefore go longer without forage overnight was a bit of a relief. And looking at the camera, she does spend most of her nights sleeping.
 
I'm not on livery anymore, but I have been there and feel your pain with management of a good doer. I put a track up in my paddock at the time,.and like many others, offered honeychop oat straw chaff to supplement the hay ration when they were in. It did help quite a bit. Now that they are on my own land, they live out on a track, with poles dotted about as they are write offs and it adds a little to their hand walks. No extra hay and only a small bit of grass chaff to add supplements to. Extra salt or electrolytes to any feeds to increase thirst is a must if adding any straw chop to the diet though, I lived in fear of colic
 
I agree - cut the hay.

Double net and hang it from a beam in the middle of the stable (it's harder for them to get a mouthful and so takes longer to eat).

Give him as much exercise as you can too.

And don't beat yourself up too much - you sound like you're really concerned for his welfare and it IS hard having a good-doer.
 
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Hay ball?

Double/triple net the hay and hang from ceiling so it moves every time he tries to get a bite? That has worked for us with box rest ponies.

You need a way to make less hay last as long as possible...and as much exercise as you can.
 
I would think very carefully before making it difficult for your horse to eat his hay. Horses conformation mean that it is best for them to eat from the ground. Hanging haynets above their heads simply turns their necks upside down and develops the muscles on the underside of the neck. I wouldn't be surprised if the frustration of trying to eat like that causes ulcers. There really is no need to go to those lengths. My mare had her hay/lage in a hay bar and her straw chaff in big trugs, no frustration at all. And she lost a lot of weight. The 'trick' is in getting the balance of hay/chaff correct for the horse.
 
Don't feel fat shamed, it's seriously hard work and you're being proactive!
I completely agree with not wanting him to stand empty for long periods. I've had seriously overweight beasties and always managed good weight loss over time while keeping them on ad lib forage.

Trickle nets, soaked hay, mixing with straw and a good balancer have already been mentioned.
Letting him be cold works. I fully clipped my chubby shettie last October and left him to shiver. Sounds mean, but he never looked bothered and was on several acres of good grass and I didn't have to restrict his intake at all.

For the ridden horses I've always found they'd loose a bit with work but only really shift the pounds with fast work. If you can get him fit enough for decent canter sessions that will make a huge difference.
The Connie I'd had for a year in the before pic, she had lost a lot of weight already from hacking and schooling, but the difference between the two was another year adding fast work twice a week and hunting. She had add lib hay or haylage the whole time and in the after photo was on a decent amount of conditioning feed too.

Just keep going, slow and steady.
He won't be a nymph in a fortnight, if you aim for him to be at his goal weight this time next year, it takes the pressure off both of you and still means you get there 😊

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P.forpony said:
Don't feel fat shamed, it's seriously hard work and you're being proactive!
I completely agree with not wanting him to stand empty for long periods. I've had seriously overweight beasties and always managed good weight loss over time while keeping them on ad lib forage.

Trickle nets, soaked hay, mixing with straw and a good balancer have already been mentioned.
Letting him be cold works. I fully clipped my chubby shettie last October and left him to shiver. Sounds mean, but he never looked bothered and was on several acres of good grass and I didn't have to restrict his intake at all.

For the ridden horses I've always found they'd loose a bit with work but only really shift the pounds with fast work. If you can get him fit enough for decent canter sessions that will make a huge difference.
The Connie I'd had for a year in the before pic, she had lost a lot of weight already from hacking and schooling, but the difference between the two was another year adding fast work twice a week and hunting. She had add lib hay or haylage the whole time and in the after photo was on a decent amount of conditioning feed too.

Just keep going, slow and steady.
He won't be a nymph in a fortnight, if you aim for him to be at his goal weight this time next year, it takes the pressure off both of you and still means you get there 😊

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Wow what a transformation , what a stunner.

I’ve had him 3 years and have soaked hay , no hard feed since buying him, we do a track in spring /summer and in during the day, even tried trinity consultants L94 and rexflo (still on rexflo), I just can’t believe he is so fat. My old Connie ate double his amount and was lean 🙈. The thing I’ve not been consistent with is exercise (full time job , sometimes motivation slips!) , I always ride 3/4 times a week but should probably do 6 really, which is what I’m going to aim for. I always full clip too and just give him a rain sheet or 50g if really really cold. I even had him tested for EMS , he doesn’t have it. I have cut his night hay down and leaving TCZ till I can get some oat straw in, most farmers want a minimum delivery of 20/30 bales and I don’t have enough space yet.
 
motherof2beasts! said:
Wow what a transformation , what a stunner.

I’ve had him 3 years and have soaked hay , no hard feed since buying him, we do a track in spring /summer and in during the day, even tried trinity consultants L94 and rexflo (still on rexflo), I just can’t believe he is so fat. My old Connie ate double his amount and was lean 🙈. The thing I’ve not been consistent with is exercise (full time job , sometimes motivation slips!) , I always ride 3/4 times a week but should probably do 6 really, which is what I’m going to aim for. I always full clip too and just give him a rain sheet or 50g if really really cold. I even had him tested for EMS , he doesn’t have it. I have cut his night hay down and leaving TCZ till I can get some oat straw in, most farmers want a minimum delivery of 20/30 bales and I don’t have enough space yet.
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It definitely wasn't easy!
But once we got there it was so much easier to maintain 😊

From experience I'd reccomend aiming for 5 days a week. You both need a break and if its too much you won't stick to it.
I never scheduled the days off in advance I just knew I had them in hand, so it was whatever day I was feeling tired or rubbish etc
I also had one day as a lunging day so it was an easier day for me. Suddenly its a lot less pressure mentally to comit to riding 4 days a week than 6, and easier to work around the rest of life that still has to happen!

Upping the intensity of the work on those days is the key, try and keep track of things like the mileage you're doing on hacks and how long your spending in trot and canter in the school, so you can increase it as you go along.
I never do as much trot or canter as I think I do when I'm riding so I'll set a timer on my phone for interval training in the school eg 5 minutes each in walk, trot, walk, canter, walk, trot, walk.
I don't school when I'm doing it, as long as they're going forward I just sit there and leave them alone. Even the ones that don't like schooling seem to enjoy it when all they have to do is go, and it's great for thinking about your fitness and position too 😊
 
P.forpony said:
It definitely wasn't easy!
But once we got there it was so much easier to maintain 😊

From experience I'd reccomend aiming for 5 days a week. You both need a break and if its too much you won't stick to it.
I never scheduled the days off in advance I just knew I had them in hand, so it was whatever day I was feeling tired or rubbish etc
I also had one day as a lunging day so it was an easier day for me. Suddenly its a lot less pressure mentally to comit to riding 4 days a week than 6, and easier to work around the rest of life that still has to happen!

Upping the intensity of the work on those days is the key, try and keep track of things like the mileage you're doing on hacks and how long your spending in trot and canter in the school, so you can increase it as you go along.
I never do as much trot or canter as I think I do when I'm riding so I'll set a timer on my phone for interval training in the school eg 5 minutes each in walk, trot, walk, canter, walk, trot, walk.
I don't school when I'm doing it, as long as they're going forward I just sit there and leave them alone. Even the ones that don't like schooling seem to enjoy it when all they have to do is go, and it's great for thinking about your fitness and position too 😊
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Yes I may try that , I work really hard in my lessons but without supervision I feel like “oh I must have done 40 mins now” look at my phone and it’s been 10 . I use Equilab do track it all, very cross they’ve got rid of the mph unless you pay for premium.

He was incredible green/unbalanced when I got him and couldn’t canter. He can now but building it up in school currently only on one minute continual before going back to trot but working it up to 5 mins , will go up to 2 next week , my legs will hurt. He’s pretty enthusiastic for a fatty. I’d not jumped for over 20 years (massive break in riding). I was told he couldn’t jump but he bloody loves it, only problem is slowing him down and stopping him locking on.
 
motherof2beasts! said:
Yes I may try that , I work really hard in my lessons but without supervision I feel like “oh I must have done 40 mins now” look at my phone and it’s been 10 . I use Equilab do track it all, very cross they’ve got rid of the mph unless you pay for premium.

He was incredible green/unbalanced when I got him and couldn’t canter. He can now but building it up in school currently only on one minute continual before going back to trot but working it up to 5 mins , will go up to 2 next week , my legs will hurt. He’s pretty enthusiastic for a fatty. I’d not jumped for over 20 years (massive break in riding). I was told he couldn’t jump but he bloody loves it, only problem is slowing him down and stopping him locking on.
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He sounds like a fabulous boy! 😍
That Connie was the laziest creature going, it was like trying to school a slug.... until she knew she was going hunting then turned into turbo pony! 😁

I know exactly what you mean about being unsupervised, it was equilab that informed me that cantering for what felt like half an hour was in fact about 4 minutes! 🤣
Also miffed about the update I've installed enduro fit to try instead so 🤞

The interval training will help a lot with his balance in canter too, I used to just get out of the saddle and give her a loose rein and let her figure it out, so if she got unbalanced she learnt to correct it herself. If she rushed I'd let her go for as long as it took to settle and find a rhythm, I wasn't going to complain if she wanted to work a bit harder!
Also don't worry if they do get unbalanced and fall back to trot, just let them untangle their legs for a few strides and ask for canter again. It still counts if it's not continuous and having to go again is what's going to increase the intensity.
 
P.forpony said:
He sounds like a fabulous boy! 😍
That Connie was the laziest creature going, it was like trying to school a slug.... until she knew she was going hunting then turned into turbo pony! 😁

I know exactly what you mean about being unsupervised, it was equilab that informed me that cantering for what felt like half an hour was in fact about 4 minutes! 🤣
Also miffed about the update I've installed enduro fit to try instead so 🤞

The interval training will help a lot with his balance in canter too, I used to just get out of the saddle and give her a loose rein and let her figure it out, so if she got unbalanced she learnt to correct it herself. If she rushed I'd let her go for as long as it took to settle and find a rhythm, I wasn't going to complain if she wanted to work a bit harder!
Also don't worry if they do get unbalanced and fall back to trot, just let them untangle their legs for a few strides and ask for canter again. It still counts if it's not continuous and having to go again is what's going to increase the intensity.
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He is quite the opposite , I’d never dare take him hunting 🙈 we have galloped once and that resulted in whiplash !

Thank you for the very helpful tips, I will try the interval training on Monday , to begin is 1 min walk 1 min trot 1 min canter, so on so forth , would that work ?!
 
I've two fat cobs they were ok until they went onto the winter grazing six weeks ago.they have slowly gained weight.today I brought them back into the summer paddock with next to no grass and mud. I am feeding hay and straw. It's very difficult to keep weight off them.
 
motherof2beasts! said:
He is quite the opposite , I’d never dare take him hunting 🙈 we have galloped once and that resulted in whiplash !

Thank you for the very helpful tips, I will try the interval training on Monday , to begin is 1 min walk 1 min trot 1 min canter, so on so forth , would that work ?!
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Well if he likes to move that's a very good start!

For the intervals you need to work out what your baseline is, so what he can comfortably manage.
I'd start with longer periods in the easier stuff because that's his recovery period too.
Eg 5min walk, 3min trot, 1min canter, that way he gets 5mins in walk to have a breather after cantering so he'll find it easier to repeat.
See how many times you can repeat it before he's tired and make a note of it.
Then you can build up the time spent in trot and canter as you progress 😊
 
P.forpony said:
Well if he likes to move that's a very good start!

For the intervals you need to work out what your baseline is, so what he can comfortably manage.
I'd start with longer periods in the easier stuff because that's his recovery period too.
Eg 5min walk, 3min trot, 1min canter, that way he gets 5mins in walk to have a breather after cantering so he'll find it easier to repeat.
See how many times you can repeat it before he's tired and make a note of it.
Then you can build up the time spent in trot and canter as you progress 😊
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Thank you , you have been really helpful and given me some much needed new ideas.

In fact everyone has been really helpful , I was expecting to feel like a terrible owner/person. It’s reassuring to know others are in the same boat.

Oh yes he loves to move , not always in the right direction , especially if a cow is in sight.
 
motherof2beasts! said:
He is a superstar a chubby superstar. Thank you I was a bit nervous but he was like “hold my beer” and off he went. I called him a good girl at the end in my terror he got misgendered.
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Oh I love him! Definitely a superstar 😍
He just popped it and looked for the next one.

Just you wait...!
The terror will subside more quickly than you think 😉
When you're sat on something kind, you can trust, the sky's the limit!
And once you've been through the fat fighters journey together and he's a lean mean sporty machine you'll be jumping and hunting and flying xc giggling all the way 😍
That little Connie is the reason I now have a ex racing tb with mad and terrifying dreams of team chasing him 🙈

Excited for you both!
 
P.forpony said:
Oh I love him! Definitely a superstar 😍
He just popped it and looked for the next one.

Just you wait...!
The terror will subside more quickly than you think 😉
When you're sat on something kind, you can trust, the sky's the limit!
And once you've been through the fat fighters journey together and he's a lean mean sporty machine you'll be jumping and hunting and flying xc giggling all the way 😍
That little Connie is the reason I now have a ex racing tb with mad and terrifying dreams of team chasing him 🙈

Excited for you both!
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I hope it does , prior to my long break due to children , I had no fear at all. I’m getting better but hate to feel out of control and he is STRONG , I’d like to do a mini XC but hunting is a big no , I’d probably hurl myself off in fear. 2 years ago we were hacking down a steep country road and suddenly there was a cow at the fence, bloody hell he went 27mph according to equilab and I just froze so can’t really blame him as wasn’t really even trying to stop. He’s been much better since we gave up on saddles , previously we had one made to measure plus loads of others but all made him sore. Now in a TCS and he loves it and has progressed so much.
 
motherof2beasts! said:
I hope it does , prior to my long break due to children , I had no fear at all. I’m getting better but hate to feel out of control and he is STRONG , I’d like to do a mini XC but hunting is a big no , I’d probably hurl myself off in fear. 2 years ago we were hacking down a steep country road and suddenly there was a cow at the fence, bloody hell he went 27mph according to equilab and I just froze so can’t really blame him as wasn’t really even trying to stop. He’s been much better since we gave up on saddles , previously we had one made to measure plus loads of others but all made him sore. Now in a TCS and he loves it and has progressed so much.
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It's amazing when you find what works, trial and error is worth the endless frustration in the end.

I was also fearless once apon a time....
I don't think I'll ever be quite so mad again but I'm definitely back up to confident rather than perpetually terrified!
Besides being a bit scared and doing it anyway is where the rush comes in 😉

The Connie was in a French link snaffle at home, hunting definitely a Pelham!
Two reins so I'd ride on the snaffle and then have the emergency brakes when necessary 🙈

Having the xc as a goal is fabulous. He looks like he'd eat it for breakfast!
I wonder what you'll aim for after he's flown round it 😉
Keep us posted!
 
P.forpony said:
It's amazing when you find what works, trial and error is worth the endless frustration in the end.

I was also fearless once apon a time....
I don't think I'll ever be quite so mad again but I'm definitely back up to confident rather than perpetually terrified!
Besides being a bit scared and doing it anyway is where the rush comes in 😉

The Connie was in a French link snaffle at home, hunting definitely a Pelham!
Two reins so I'd ride on the snaffle and then have the emergency brakes when necessary 🙈

Having the xc as a goal is fabulous. He looks like he'd eat it for breakfast!
I wonder what you'll aim for after he's flown round it 😉
Keep us posted!
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Well we did intervals today , only managed 4 rounds of it but that’s still a lot more canter than he’s used too and he let me know with some bunny hops!
 
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