Help he needs to loose weight!!

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gemgreen

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I've battled over the last summer with my mums ponies weight gain....the grass hasn't stopped growing n still looks good now!! He's turned out for 6 hours a day, fed a balance & a few pony nuts ...couple of carrots ...4lbs of hay over night....he's only ridden on weekend. I tried a muzzle...but he could* get it off...the only other option is to keep him in which he'll hate but I can't think of what else to do....has anyone else had a similar problem ...I think its really crunch time now we've been lucky he's not got lami .....
 
Well gem - if he has lived through this far in the year - you have the ideal time now to diet him over the winter, and the cold will be your ally.

I too would have tests run for chushings and the equine metabolic thing. I would also reduce him down to 1.5% of his weight in forage - i would take all hard feed off him - and if the othes get breakie just put him a token feed in so he does not feel left out.
 
He's 12...we've got him on metformin (sp?)which I'm guessing has helped over the summer...& yes gingerwitch I'm hoping to get this sorted over the winter.....I think we'll need to to get him tested ....which will be my next plan...! Literally his feed is next to nothing bored...just to get vits n mins in him and so he's not feeling left out!? He has a massive crest/neck...and his bum its a nightmare!!
 
Soak his hay and muzzle him to start with. You don't say if he is in work? If so increase it as much as possible, lead him from another horse out hacking if possible. I found fast work the best for keeping mines waist line under controll. Now is the best time to do it as the grass won't be so fattening, good luck :)

Take some pictures so you can track progress as its really rewarding seeing them change shape.
 
gem - i would get him tested as early as possible before doing the muzzle or cutting him down too much - reason big lad kept putting weight on, no matter what i did and he was both cushings and metabolic syndrome - and I felt as guilty as hell for making a horse that was poorly hungry when if he had been fed a stalk of hay a day he would have still been getting fatter.

I feel so guilty now as we lost him about 6 weeks after he was diagnosed, and i will have every horse i have tested once a yer for both - the financial cost does not compare to the heart ache.

Rugs - whilst i am happy to let them burn fat to keep warm i am not in the "let him freeze" camp - so if its pouring down with rain and cold and windy i would still rug - as with humans it needs to be a lifestyle change not just a spurt now and again !
 
Thanks gingerwitch ur right ill be gutted if put him through this and he's ill!! Ill call vet on Monday!! Sorry u lost yours your right the money is nothing compared to loosing one !! :'(
 
I second getting him tested, most definately for EMS- his fat deposits sound characteristic for it. You're vet should be able to help you with management if this is the case.
 
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