Haying fat ponies?

[TheBayThoroughbred]

I have two miniature horses (although they look more like small Shetlands). Both are very fat and despite our grass being very short they somehow look even fatter than a few months ago. Fecal egg counts done so I know it’s not worms. Right now, after the cold snap, the ground is frozen 24/7 and there’s almost no grass accessible. My two OTTBS are getting mountains of hay and yet still are begging every morning at the fence. I feel very unkind leaving the ponies with nothing given the frost, but I don’t know if this starvation type turnout will help them lose some weight. Should I be giving them a bit of hay, or will they tough it out and hopefully lose some weight?

 

[w1bbler]

They probably need more fibre in their diet. Sounds like they are eating plenty of short sugary grass, this doesn't fill them up so they keep eating & eating.
Some low sugar hay will satisfy their hunger & provide less calories.
I struggle with my natives weights for years. They now live out 24/7, strip grazed into long grass all year using a track system / equicentral approach. They are now all a good weight & vet was very complimentary last time he saw them ?

 

[eahotson]

You could try feeding them some good quality straw.

 

[LEC]

You know shetlands are designed to basically live off rocks and moss in bitter driving wind, snow and rain? If they are supremely fat, don’t feed them as they are getting what they need. If my Shetland gets too fat I lunge it everyday as well.

 

[Jenko109]

Given the weather conditions and the ground being frozen solid, I would think it unfair not to provide some alternate fiber.

 

[Gloi]

I'd give them some hay or straw while it is sub zero. Once things thaw out they can go back to hunting for grass.

 

[irishdraft]

I would give them something whether it's soaked hay or straw best to keep the gut moving even if they are fatties

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would give them something whether it's soaked hay or straw best to keep the gut moving even if they are fatties

I wouldn't give soaked hay in this weather!

 

[Gloi]

I wouldn't give soaked hay in this weather!

No. It will freeze into a block and also freeze to the floor. Let them have something in their bellies to keep warm with. Diet can start again once it warms up a bit.

 

[Griffin]

I am putting hay out for my mare and her field mates (including a Shetland) because I would rather they have something to eat, than keep eating short frozen grass. Horses are supposed to graze, even the fat ones.

 

[rara007]

Our mini horse (my sisters) gets 4.5hr out, 2.5 in summer, her rations in the stable look like handfuls. I don’t think you can manage their weight other than very strict restriction. It worries me ulcer wise when they first got her but I don’t see a way around it. She still wouldn’t BCS slim!

 

[moosea]

If your ponies are overweight then they need less calories or more exercise or both.

I would not be happy having a grazing animal left with no fibre.

So if they were mine I would be giving hay and/or straw and exercising them more - maybe break them to drive and get them working on pulling the barrows for pooh picking in the summer.