Haynets - how many?

[CharlieChook]

Hi,
My little welsh pony is only 12.2 and a bit tubby. (He was like that when we got him 12 weeks ago)
He has had open but restricted grazing up until now, but has to be on box rest for ten days now due to an injury. How much should I be feeding him?! Just now I’m giving him a scoop of mixed pony feed twice a day (just a little child’s cup-worth) to mix his pain relief powder into.
I give him a net of hay (soaked) in the morning, and one at night. The net isn’t really stuffed, but I like to give him something to do apart from anything else! He gobbled up one of those tight grass ball things (can’t remember the name) and doesn’t like salt licks. I’m keen to help him drop some weight but also don’t want him hungry!
I also know nets aren’t maybe ideal but it’s all we have right now..the plan was never to have him in! I keep it high and secured tight.
New to pony ownership..🙄

 

[be positive]

I am pleased all is looking positive with no obvious fracture, it is not really the time to be getting weight off him, unless he is meant to on vets advice, so I would stick with soaked hay and increase it if you need to to occupy him while on his box rest, most things that entertain them are either high calorie licks which are worse than giving more hay or they are treat balls that they have to kick about to get the treats out, again unsuitable for one with a leg injury in case it does more harm, you can get plain straw chaff which is suitable to feed in a fair quantity if introduced gradually, some are not that interested in it but it is probably the best option to give him a little extra without harming his waistline.

Most are fine staying in on nothing more interesting than hay, you want them to rest not be too busy so if he looks bored and not stressed that is ideal, he should be allowed out again soon if all goes well.

 

[FFAQ]

I feel your pain- I have a real fatty who can't be ridden so it's hard to get the weight off. To help them lose weight you feed 1.5% of their current body weight, which for a pony probably won't seem like much!
I also gradually introduced barley straw into the haynets as it makes a good low-calorie filler. Oat straw is even better according to my horse! Make you you introduce it slowly to avoid the risk of impaction colic.
The other thing I do is chuck a branch of willow/ash for him to pick at. Other trees are yummy too but make sure you check what's poisonous online!
Good luck!

 

[TPO]

You could mix the hay with straw. Its lower calorie and gives him something different to pick at.

You could also hide carrots within his hay.

He could be given a turnip and/or it could be strung up. That should keep him occupied for a while too

 

[Nudibranch]

A low calorie chop like TopChop Zero. I use it for the fatty Fell. The first day or two they seem to like the novelty but then they just pick at it as and when they feel like. Definitely more slimming than hay.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would use top chop zero as well .

 

[Trouper]

A minor point and I may be interpreting your post incorrectly when you say you "keep it high and secured tight" but if this refers to the height of the haynet please have a re-think on this one. Stabled horses can get neck problems when their only access to forage is very high - they are designed to eat from the ground. I realise that haynets are not safe at ground level but rather than hanging it high, think about double netting it to slow down the rate of eating and placing it at a comfortable level for him. Yes - another supporter here for top chop zero for fatties as it is important to keep something moving through their guts - especially if they cannot move around much to help the process.

 

[SpringArising]

Second Trouper's comments re. haynet hight - I see way too many nets that are hung so high that the horse is constantly in an unnatural position - it causes neck and back ache, and jaw problems. The horse should be able to eat from a net without craning his neck.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

A minor point and I may be interpreting your post incorrectly when you say you "keep it high and secured tight" but if this refers to the height of the haynet please have a re-think on this one. Stabled horses can get neck problems when their only access to forage is very high - they are designed to eat from the ground. I realise that haynets are not safe at ground level but rather than hanging it high, think about double netting it to slow down the rate of eating and placing it at a comfortable level for him. Yes - another supporter here for top chop zero for fatties as it is important to keep something moving through their guts - especially if they cannot move around much to help the process.

I agree. Horses are designed to eat with their necks and heads down. It also encourages undesirable muscles to build in the neck when they are constantly pulling at nets. I'd buy a haybar (mine cost me £15 second hand) or just get some plastic tubs and feed out of those. I also helps sinsuses to drain better when the horse has his head down on the floor eating hay.