Getting good doers the right weight before spring- help!

B

bertin12

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 January 2011
Messages
267
Visit site
I have a good doer who was borederline lami a couple of summers ago. Last summer we split our field into 4 rather than 2 and i kept him on the bare field a lot & muzzled him when he wasn't on it.
This winter he started off with no rug whatever the weather (in at night from late Nov time) but with the constant rain we had he started to get what we think could be a slight case of shivers.
Now when it is raining (as in proper rain, not just a shower here or there) he is turned out in a rug, but only one with 50g fill & it seems to have done the trick.

However I want him to lose some weight before spring & want to know the best way of going about this. I am going to start cutting down his hay and as soon as my current bag of fast fibre runs out I wont be buying more feed.
He can't be ridden so exercise is limited. What is the best way to exercise them to aid weight loss if they can't be ridden? He gets bored easily when I lunge him, but loves to pop a few jumps!!

Thanks :)
 
Polos Mum said:
Rug down to no fill sheet, if at all - it's still pretty warm even in the wet.
soak hay and swap some for straw,
walk in hand, ride and lead, free schooling,
Click to expand...


All of this and I will prob be called mean but I have done this with my retired 13yr old warm blood (has KS) to keep weight off, under rug and clip, she is a very good doer so this works. The light weight rug keeps the chill/wet off her but she is using her own body to keep herself warm.

I domitnwith my lami prone ridden horse too, under rug and full clip, he is IR so it means he metabolism is always working to keep warm.

As long as they are warm to the touch, not toasty, they are fine.
 
Long line him out, great exercise for both of you!

Trickle hay nets to slow down their consumption and weigh it so he's getting 1.5% of his bw in hay a day.
 
where's the best place to find advice on how to start long lining him? i've never done it before but am interested in doing it!
 
I always down rug (if the horse is rugged ) or small clip and make forage harder to work for (but not non existant_ so double/triple netted etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top