help - pony is fat and getting fatter ! also saddle suggestions

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JLD

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help please my 13.2 welsh cob cross is getting much too fat - he is on restricted grazing with a track system round a 2 acre field which he shares with sheep, no additional feed other than 1/2 a carrot once a day or a tiny handfull ( think small tea cup ) of unmollassed chaff when other animals get fed. he is a lead rein pony for my daughter so doesnt do much work but I am now lunging/long reining him at least 3 x week as well - cant do any more due to really long hours at work, dont really want other people riding him as we are very isolated and also worried re insurance issues is grazing muzzle my only option ? also any suggestion re saddles as he is pretty barrel shaped with minimal withers and 'normal' saddles which fit otherwise seem to perch and seem at risk of sliding round ? thanks
 
How wide is his track? Could you narrow it down and feed him a small amount of soaked hay at the far end so he has to move to get it and get to his water supply? Sounds as though he isn't making proper use of the track, he needs to move round it more.
 
he does potter round his track most of the day, I narrowed it 2' yesterday so hoping that will help - would feeding him hay not just add to his weight issues ? unfortunately there isnt anyone local enough to lead him out and we have a stretch of fast busy country road before any bridleways. but will try and think of anyone that might.
 
I've fed good barley straw before but the change over from hay has to be gradual or you will get worse problems.

Also, 20 minutes a day of hard work in the round pen can help.
 
I'd cut out the carrot and the chaff unless you need to giv supps. I'd also do as already mention and cut own the size of the track. Muzzl might be an option but its whether your pony would keep it on.
 
The other thing is altho sheep will tidy the field and good for worms, they do fertilise the grass which wont be helping the weight or the risks of laminitis.

Anything that can be done there until pony is a healthier weight.
 
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