Grass Belly

[Marmi452]

Hi All,
Not sure if on right forum but wanting some advice on how to manage a Welsh B mare who develops a grass belly at the sheer sight of a field, She is a ganit and loves her forage but she blows up like a balloon. She is in work 3 days a week and we are increasing the intensity of the work she is doing but she will still have a belly on her from previous experience...

She is now being brought in but not sure if best to keep her in for a few days with limited hay etc and do this on a regular basis, or keep her in throughout the day and out at night or the other way around. The yard I am at is fantastic but hasn't got a fatty paddock so will have to find a way to solve the issue. To be fair to Willow I brought her knowing she has this so it is not a surprise but wanted some other peoples advice if they have had issues with this, I have not found to many owners who have this with their horses/ponies. TIA x

 

[nato]

You could use a grazing muzzle?

 

[Carrots&Mints]

mine also has abit of a grass belly, what works for me is cut down on grass/haylage but im increasing the hard feed, and alot of fibre so i feed mine equibeet as well as high fibre cubes

 

[Rosesandhorses]

I would definitely start by bringing her in during the day or over night and just give her a haynet for when she comes in that's been really well soaked. My horse isn't brilliant at keeping weight but would be a beef cake if I left him out 24/7 too. If she's really fat at the min then I agree a grazing muzzle would be a good idea- she will still be able to eat and drink through it but it'll limit the amount. Good you section off a piece of grazing with electric tape so that she's not able to gorge herself as much? Good luck!