Doormouse
Well-Known Member
After handy hints, help advice please for getting some weight off my daughters new pony.
She is a 7 year old 11.1hh section a and she is very fat. I live in dairy country so our grass is very rich and therefore a nightmare with small ponies. I have a small pony paddock that is grazed so doesn't have lots of grass but judging by her poos there is still plenty there, more than I thought.
I thought about a muzzle but am concerned the grass in the pony paddock is too short for a muzzle, I don't want her to get nothing all night. I could put her out in the big paddock with my horse with a muzzle but am concerned she would get too much that way.
I am soaking her hay and she is being exercised at walk 6 days a week for about 30 mins up and down hill. She does a tiny bit of jog with my daughter but nothing to really be considered. I could lead her off my horse but don't want to over do her when she is so fat and unfit.
I hate having to ration horses, it always seems to make them so grumpy (I can sympathise, I hate diets) so any tips to keep them cheerful, any long lasting foods that are low cal etc?
Any help very gratefully received as I am not in my comfort zone here, I am used to skinny tb's!
She is a 7 year old 11.1hh section a and she is very fat. I live in dairy country so our grass is very rich and therefore a nightmare with small ponies. I have a small pony paddock that is grazed so doesn't have lots of grass but judging by her poos there is still plenty there, more than I thought.
I thought about a muzzle but am concerned the grass in the pony paddock is too short for a muzzle, I don't want her to get nothing all night. I could put her out in the big paddock with my horse with a muzzle but am concerned she would get too much that way.
I am soaking her hay and she is being exercised at walk 6 days a week for about 30 mins up and down hill. She does a tiny bit of jog with my daughter but nothing to really be considered. I could lead her off my horse but don't want to over do her when she is so fat and unfit.
I hate having to ration horses, it always seems to make them so grumpy (I can sympathise, I hate diets) so any tips to keep them cheerful, any long lasting foods that are low cal etc?
Any help very gratefully received as I am not in my comfort zone here, I am used to skinny tb's!