Horse always hungry!

[windand rain]

Although she should be turned out if this is impossible and you cannot sell her then a large corner manger of clean chopped oatstraw available ad lib may help. As I hate stables I couldnt condone this type of management but as a short solution ad lib plain oat straw like Ossichaff might be a solution. The chaffs with mint etc wont work as they will be guzzled down

 

[Pinkvboots]

Please can people stop suggesting she needs turnout - i know she needs turnout, i HATE this situation believe me!!

I can't move yards, there is nowhere around here that has any space and as I said this is not the norm for her, this is a bad situation that I am desperately trying to make the best of. My main goal is to keep her not starving but not getting fat either.

There are 2 others on my yard that are not ridden in the winter either but are facing the same problem that they are usually kept out 24/7 but have been forced into this new routine.

Where are you? Maybe someone on here can help you with a yard change or offer some help with finding a field it's worth looking into, there are s lot of good helpful people on here.

 

[ihatework]

Please can people stop suggesting she needs turnout - i know she needs turnout, i HATE this situation believe me!!

I can't move yards, there is nowhere around here that has any space and as I said this is not the norm for her, this is a bad situation that I am desperately trying to make the best of. My main goal is to keep her not starving but not getting fat either.

There are 2 others on my yard that are not ridden in the winter either but are facing the same problem that they are usually kept out 24/7 but have been forced into this new routine.

Why don’t you look to send her away for the winter to a track livery? She will get turnout, exercise and should come back in the spring slimmer and fitter. Granted it might be too far for you to see every day but ultimately has to be better for the horse?

If you aren’t going to do that and are going to leave in current situation then I’d probably trace clip and leave unrugged, and feed good clean straw alongside the hay ration.

 

[Leo Walker]

You cant ride and she has no turnout, so send her away somewhere. Theres lots of places they can go and be turned away. I know of 3 in my localish area, and all of them are under £150 a month for full grass livery.

 

[Starzaan]

Why is she kept in 24/7? If you can't ride her to exercise her, she needs to be on a yard where she can be turned out for several hours per day. I am disgusted at the management of this horse, tbh.

I’m afraid I have to agree with this.

This is akin to crating a dog 24/7 and never walking it.

 

[twiggy2]

You cannot expect a horse to lose weight whilst getting absolutely no exercise, the horse needs to eat.
Ultimately you do have a choice, it may not be instant but you find somewhere else for the horse, turnout livery for the winter could be a solution, what happens if the field stays wet for months here you are, do you expect your mare to stay in for months.
The yard is obviously not suitable for your mare during the winter for all the reasons you have listed.

 

[9tails]

Please can people stop suggesting she needs turnout - i know she needs turnout, i HATE this situation believe me!!

I can't move yards, there is nowhere around here that has any space and as I said this is not the norm for her, this is a bad situation that I am desperately trying to make the best of. My main goal is to keep her not starving but not getting fat either.

There are 2 others on my yard that are not ridden in the winter either but are facing the same problem that they are usually kept out 24/7 but have been forced into this new routine.

Yes, there are suggestions that you move yard, but you are unable to. OK, we get it.

But, you aren't feeding her enough. Simple solution, increase the hay. Two haynets, either side of the stable, ensure she doesn't run out after two hours.

Get her out walking around the yard, lunge her if you can. I understand that winter regime is gruelling in these circumstances, but you need to step up.

 

[Red-1]

I simply would have to find another way. I would be walking in hand morning and night, with hand grazing for interest, until I could move yards. In 40 odd years of horse ownership, mine have never spent 24 hours in a stable, even after an operation. I have always at least walked in hand. A mooch and a munch for a horse with a tube into her eye, as that was all she could cope with.

When it has been frozen solid and we have been yard bound then I have cleared a short section of yard and worked by making the horse think, for instance getting them to halt with a named foot on a small mat. Or side pass over the mat. Or reverse concentrating on bend or... something. If this was all I could offer then that is what I have offered, but it has never been so limited for more than a day or so.

I would call some retirement liveries or other yards. If there is nothing in the local area then the horse will need to go further.

Leaving a horse in the stable for winter is way inadequate. I would sell first.

 

[tiahatti]

OP, you mention other liveries who also keep theirs in 24/7. Can you team up with them for any help. Could they ride yours in exchange for you mucking out theirs? Or some other arrangement to help you get your horse out and about? Do you all work full time?

 

[ester]

I'm a bit confused because you said the reasons she wasn't being ridden was your issues, but they you said you have nowhere to ride in winter anyway?

Assuming this horse isn't shod, unfixed floor nets (see nibbleze) often take them longer to eat as there is nothing to pull against to get the hay out.

 

[dorsetladette]

You say there is a main road so hacking isn't safe, but do you have a drive way up to the yard/field? could you walk her or hand graze her up and down there for a while in the morning and evening? With a big stable like you say I'd put hay net's in different places around the stable so she will mooch about a bit. You could mix your hay with some straw so she has more intake with out increasing the calories to much.

Can you get something like a hay ball to give her a bit of enrichment? What about a mirror on the wall?

Can she see/interact with other ponies from her stable?

 

[Goldenstar]

If you won’t ride you need to pay someone to do so .
You can’t keep a horse in all winter without exercise .
You need to give things like swingers and top chop zero to keep her eating most of the time or buy small bales of oat straw .
You need to lead her out in the morning and in the evening and pay someone to provide some exercise during the day .

 

[HazuraJane]

What do you expect the outcome to be when you do move your horse, or when winter is over? I think it's important to keep firmly in mind that what your horse does every single day adds up to the composite picture of how the horse presents/is. You're in horse ownership for the long game, I presume, like the rest of us.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Nibbleze nets are the best slow feeder net I've found-they are not knotted so arent so frustrating for the horse. with a horse stood in all day I would be a little reluctant to feed too much straw (and I feed straw alot) but you could try mixing hay with straw or leaving a trug of straw chop (introduce slowly-eFeeds does a good value oat straw chop). Different ypes of feeders, tree hay while its still available (ash/beech/willow branches) and there is a group on FB that do enrichment for horses which may have some different ideas for you to try. A mirror, hay ball, root vegs hidden about or in twisted ropes as toys will all help.

But, as has been said-its no way to keep a horse long term. lead her out, pay someone else to, pay someone to ride, lunge etc along with the above, graze her in hand-whatever you can really.

 

[dorsetladette]

Thank you all for your comments - whilst I don't like the 24/7 stabling I have no choice but to keep her in i cant just "Move yards" at the drop of the hat - I don't have such luxury.

The field has become completely waterlogged due to a problem with the drainage so I have the option to turn her out into a swimming pool or keep her in the dry. The field backs onto a main road so there really isn't anywhere to exercise her, a loaner would not be interested in riding onto this main road either. In the summer I have the luxury of off road riding across about 50 acres of fields but I am not allowed to use them in the winter so she usually has the winter off and I am unable to ride at the moment anyway.

She is usually kept out 24/7 even in the winter and she can access her stable anytime she wants for shelter or a lie down- her stable is 25ft x 25ft so not exactly tiny.

I have already mentioned that she isn't rugged at all, has no hard feed, just hay and it's soaked.

Whilst i appreciate everyone's concern for her wellbeing I am not purposely being cruel, I am trying to make the best of a bad situation and this is not usually the norm for her.

I am receiving so much conflicting advice, I spoke to a nutritionist yesterday who asked if she puts on weight very easily in the spring, my reply was yes she balloons even when strip grazed so her response?

"you want her to go into spring slim, so restrict her hay intake over winter"

I've just re read this post - you said she has access to her stable when she is turned out 24/7 Is there a yard area in front of her stable?? (I might be wrongly assuming you don't share stable access with anyone else) Can yuo put some electric fencing around the yard area so she has some outside space? Its not ideal, but could be a temporary 'fix' for a little while until the drainage issue is dealt with.

Also have you all spoken to your YO about a reduced livery fee until your able to turnout again as you aren't recieving the facilities you are paying for? this reduction could go towards a freelancer helping exercise during the day or for more hay/straw to be added to her diet.

What other facilities do you have at the yard?

 

[ycbm]

OP, I have done a full days work and driven twenty miles to the stables through snow and ice to walk my horse in hand up and and down a straw track laid on the icy yard to get her out of her box.

We owe it to them to do stuff like this. I don't accept that you can't move your horse, she needs you to find a yard to turn her away for the winter at grass or track livery and get her there.

.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

I can’t think of any justifiable reason to keep a horse in this situation. It’s just plain wrong. I simply would not have a horse if I could not provide it with what it needed. No excuses.

There are plenty of people with multiple health issues and difficult circumstances who still put the animal who they’ve chosen to have first, and when they can’t they sacrifice their own needs for that of an innocent animal.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Please can people stop suggesting she needs turnout - i know she needs turnout, i HATE this situation believe me!!

I can't move yards, there is nowhere around here that has any space and as I said this is not the norm for her, this is a bad situation that I am desperately trying to make the best of. My main goal is to keep her not starving but not getting fat either.

There are 2 others on my yard that are not ridden in the winter either but are facing the same problem that they are usually kept out 24/7 but have been forced into this new routine.

In that case I suggest that you pay someone to exercise her every day.

 

[Goldenstar]

In that case I suggest that you pay someone to exercise her every day.

Exactly or move her to a retirement type livery until spring .

 

[Widgeon]

Given that your livery bill is presumably based on the idea that your horse will have access to turnout, I would try as hard as you can (obviously while trying not to come across as rude) to negotiate a temporary discount on the bill. It's a difficult situation for the YO but at the end of the day you're paying for facilities (turnout) you're not getting. Then perhaps you could use that extra money to pay someone to exercise her a couple of times a week? If there are three of you in this situation perhaps you could team up on this - I'd assume that a freelancer would be more keen to come and exercise 3 one after the other than just one.

Worth a try a least, you may not get anywhere with it but it's worth asking. I'd go for the approach of "I realise how difficult this situation is for you (YO) but I have no choice but to work something (i.e. discount please!) out, my horse is very unhappy".

Good luck. This sounds miserable for all of you.

 

[dorsetladette]

Just another thought

Could you speak to the YO and ask about alternative grassing until the drainage issue is sorted out. YO probably knows local farmers so might be able to sort something for you short term even if it is restricted and a little walk to get there its better than no turn out at all.

 

[tda]

Some of ours will be off the grass this winter, they mooch around the yard with forage. I have a couple of very good doers like yours, the best way I found is to mix straw (would prefer oat but can only get barley ) mix it really well with the hay ration, then double net, it keeps then eating longer, and if really hungry will eat the straw

 

[Red-1]

Some of ours will be off the grass this winter, they mooch around the yard with forage. I have a couple of very good doers like yours, the best way I found is to mix straw (would prefer oat but can only get barley ) mix it really well with the hay ration, then double net, it keeps then eating longer, and if really hungry will eat the straw

See, I like this post. It is not ideal to have no turnout, but tda is making the best of it and doing what they can.

This is a totally different scenario to OP, who intends the horse to simply stand in all winter.

 

[Equi]

If she’s not in work find a field and check her out. None of this is acceptable.

edit: after reading this can’t be done - the only thing I can now suggest is she needs more haynets over the day. If you can only go twice leave some out and ask if anyone else can chuck one in if they are there. Boredom in the stable is making meals much more exciting so make her stable less boring too with a treat ball or hanging things. If you can (tho it’s not really great for their backs) hang the net away from the wall so she really has to work for it but I don’t think that will work with the super small hole nets.

 

[vmac66]

Could the yard owner put a net in for you. My mare had lami last May and was trickle fed. I had freinds and yard owner putting nets in every few hours and yard owner put one in last thing at night. People are often more than willing to help

 

[Leandy]

So how long is this situation going to last? Is there a plan to sort out drainage of the turnout? I think this helps determine how acceptable or otherwise it is to keep a horse like this. I'm not clear why this horse cannot have some exercise?

 

[hellfire]

Obviously you have a bad situation and are trying to help your horse. Having natives and one with IR I have to restrict hay intake and as stated the minimum is 1.5% of the horses correct weight. You can up the minimum as you are soaking it. Soak your hay longer and rinse it off. Or soak in warmer water. I soak my hay for about 8 hours and rinse well. I use greedy feeder nets and do add a little straw. Just remember soaking hay will also take out vits and mind so I give fast fibre. If you don’t want to feed the full amount or choose some other fat free sugar free feed you can use a vit and min supplement. Your horses and you I suspect are climbing the walls. If you could even walk her round the yard a bit each day that would also help alleviate her. Put hay nets up in all corners if you can so at least she will move around more. It’s not much but in a bad situation where a horse is confined which is no good for them these little changes will help. If a horse goes too long with no food you run a really high risk of ulcers.

 

[PurBee]

You don’t normally ride her in the winter due to 50 acres not being available in winter to ride on.
There’s a main road to hack along, but you hint at that being a bit too busy kind of road for a hack (understandable!)
As one poster suggested, is the yard designed so you can section off with electric fencing a section of the yard that leads into her stable?
The Californians do this to keep horses all year round, a stable with a ‘fenced run’...it’s not ideal but is better than 24/7 just in a stable.
Speak with the YO about sectioning off the yard so the horse can at least stop walking in circles and gets outside, see the other horses, interacts.
It’s easy to do this even on hard-standing concrete. A masonry bit in a drill, drills 6 inch holes easily to hold the electric fence stakes firmly. Fence rope, 12v battery, energizer (look on eBay for cheap deals)....you could set this up for 200 quid....worth it for the horses sanity and exercise.
Maybe club in with the other 2 folks there who have horses in this situation too...go together to speak with the YO about dividing up the space with electric fencing.

I’d be concerned about what you would face in the spring when you are finally able to ride on the 50 acres....she’s going to be super fizzy bomb.
I rode a 17h TB at a trekking centre in Scotland once on a hack, told before setting off to keep legs and hands very light with this horse...not a problem, that’s great I thought! I’m a softy, not a tough eventer-type rider, this horse seemed huge compared to the 15h I’m used to and felt like I was sitting on a fence, it was so slim. Thankfully I do have courage lol or stupidity lol Started off fine, seemed very responsive, trotting fine...somewhat eager and antsy but great fun....then first canter along a mountain pass with sheer drop on the left side, steep bank the other, this horse is pulling hard to gallop trying to overtake the lead horse.....only room for one horse width on this path....my horse stuck it’s nose to the lead horse’s butt causing it to keep bucking....I’m ‘softly’ trying to pull my horse back..no brakes at all..no matter how hard I pulled, it’s bolting me! Then it’s swerving to overtake to the left and gallop by the lead horse, we’re slipping on the mud beside the sheer drop, I look down (never do that!) I’m yelling at lead horse rider (as told to if any probs)....she’s oblivious...I look back at other 2 in the group who are waaaay behind....this horse almost killed me with its insane behavior...it thought it was back at the tracks and had to win the race!....got the lead horse riders attention finally when she decided to slow down and look behind at last....demanded to swop with her horse! I was completely frazzled! She’s tugging and whipping and kicking this tb all the way back to the centre. Light hands I thought! Back at the yard I was enlightened that the tb had been kept in the stable 24/7 for 6 weeks with a cough, and that my trek was the first time it had been out and ridden.
JeeezuS!
The other 2 trekkers in the group husband and wife said they were very thankful not to have had my horse as husband hadn’t ridden for 10yrs from fear after breaking his back from a horrific riding accident and wanted a gentle trek on a dozee to gain confidence and get into riding again. They didn’t know that’s similar to the reasons I went for a trek too!
I’ve had some horrid falls and love the naughty horses, but I knew on that canter/gallop I was literally on the knife edge of life and death, it was surreal.

Even Well trained horses filled with frustration have to let out all that excess energy, so try to hand walk her daily.

One poster asked where you are based. It’s worth following that up and seeking support from the community here. Someone may know a farmer or yard that is close to you who has winter turn-out.
I bet you could knock on the door of a farmer there and they’d have a spare field they’d be happy to rent you.
Sometimes we are forced by situations to go outside our comfort zone, think outside the box, don’t focus on what can’t be done, think of new possibilities.
My mare is half welsh d yet is so hardy like a welsh...unrugged all winter, no concentrates, just hay and minerals and can put on weight easily in winter even exercised....I have 3/4 acre dry lot and muddy paddock for them in winter to roam 24/7...she’s never been shut into their large barn even, she hates being confined. Having this constant movement prevents boredom, gives exercise and socializing with us and the other animals. For Arabian/welsh they are insanely calm due to having this type of freedom to roam, despite it not being acres and acres.

If the yard can be electric fenced, it’ll be a godsend for those 3 horses there to just be able to roam a bit more and relieve boredom.

If not, consider loaning her out, if you can’t, absolutely can’t move to a place where they will get exercise and freedom.

Worth putting another post on here to enquire any land or yards near you to help you out, and what you’re able to pay. Reach out, don’t stress when you don’t have to.

 

[Equi]

8kg sounds very little for a 500kg horse. But also eating it that fast is boredom to..if all they have to look forward to is that little net its got to be pretty miserable. If he is unshod i would probably try and get a few pillow nets and his feed time would consist of maybe 4 pillows which would mean he has to move about a bit more and its a little more natural...also agree with adding straw to up the bulk but not the calories. The stable is large enough that he should be able to move around with the pillows.

 

[Firefly9410]

You could try a trace clip and leave unrugged then she will need more energy to keep warm so could have more hay.