I feel like a bad owner, and I don't think i deserve the priviledge

RubysGold

RubysGold

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My mare has put on quite a lot of weight, she has pockets of fat behind her shoulders. I tried upping her exercise but I don't think that's working. So I'm going to have to either start bringing her in, or try and get part of the field seperated.
Last year when I got her she had 'mud fever' which went away in winter (so can't be mud fever), this has just started up again. I'm obviously doing something wrong!
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Might have to buy her some of those turnout mud fever boots.
I'm a bad owner
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I can't believe I've allowed her to get fat and I've allowed the mud fever to start again
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Nickie
 
No your not don't be silly. You are doing what you can to get the weight off and will have her right before long, that doesnt make you a bad owner. Mud fever is one of those things no one can prevent unfortunately, we just have to treat it as it arises. Dont beat yourself up your a great owner and I'm sure rue would agree.
 
this things happen and with horses and life in general its all trial and error. your not a bad owner if you care enough to try and correct the problems and even to notice them in the first place.
Personally Id buy some Turn out chaps for your horse and apply some aloe vera gel for a few days and try only putting her out for a few hours a day and carry on with upping the exercsie
Give your self a break and remember you love your horse and thats all that matters.
 
Oh, I feel like a 'bad owner' all the time!
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My horse got laminitis last summer for the first time in the twelve years I have owned him, and this year he's in during the day and out at night on a fatty patch and still he's a little over his ideal weight. You and I have 'good doers' and we can only do our best with them!
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So far as the 'mud fever' goes, are you sure it's not field mites or similar? If there's no mud, it's unlikely to be actual mud fever, and more likely to be something else. If it's bad and causing your horse distress (itching, rubbing, stamping etc.) the vet can take a sample of skin and find out what exactly is wrong. It might be worth finding out and treating it.

Don't beat yourself up. We can only do our best, and sometimes we don't get it right. Horses don't judge us, and love us all the same if we love them too!
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Could the 'mud fever' be sunburn? Do you have alot of buttercups in your field as these can cause photosensitivity which looks like sunburn as can liver damage.

As for your horse being overweight...keep at it. It can be hard at first and sometimes you feel like nothing is changing , then suddenly a load comes off.
 
ruscara: good doers are so difficult aren't they
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The mud fever, that's what confuses me, there's no mud so I don't think it can be that, but I don't know what else it cut be. I don't know anything about mites. At the moment it isn't causing her any worry, last year she spent all her time stamping her feet. I don't want it to get that bad again. It's just like little scabs, some of which have broke off and look sore.
Nickie
 
Ahh dont be daft!!
Just a thought, in your siggy you horse has white socks which are suseptable to photosensitisation which appears to be similar to sunburn but is caused by chemicals in the blood which cause a reaction to sunlight in areas of skin which are not protected by pigment. It occurs on the white or pale parts of skin. You can get uv leg wraps to turn out in, as i think the turnout boots might be a bit warm and get sweaty underneath causing more problems.
Hope that helps a bit, Keep your chin up, we all have days when we feel like that, ive been on holiday and now my cob looks like she has eaten a shetland pony!!! I bring her in everyday and she goes out at night.
 
Oh, now that could be the issue. My field is full of buttercups! And yes she does have white socks, and the 'mud fever' never shows up on the black leg. :S Wasn't aware they could get photosensitisation. Thanks.
Nickie
 
My cob gets buttercup burn on her pink nose, and my tb gets it on her white leg!! Im doomed lol. Hibiscrub them then apply dermisol cream, should clear up in a few days.
Good luck
 
My mare had mud fever last year.It unfortunately turned into cellulitis.I have since found that she knocks her fetlock on one back leg and gets the tiniest little scab which then becomes infected and she seems to gt a form of dermititis.Could it be that your lad is doing the same thing .I always work her in boots now she doesnt like brushing boots on her back legs but tolerates fetlock boots (sj) on her back legs.I think knocking the scab constantly reinfected the leg.
If its mites your vet can take a skin scrape.
 
Field mites i've heard are also attracted to white legs. Darcy has this problem at the moment and i've been spraying his legs with frontline spot-on, and they've stopped
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Daisy is the official postergirl of dieting horses, she's even on the NAF website as an example.

Have you tried fencing off her field? I would say this makes the biggest difference. Next feed hay soaked for 12 hours to remove any calories. You actually need to feed more fibre, not less to help them diet. What do you feed? Daisy is on Good Doer because its the lowest calorie feed you can get. She's ridden six days a week come rain or shine as this seems to keep her metabolism up. If you've tried all these and still feel Ruby is fat I'd try NAF Slimline for a month. Really does work.

Let me know how you get on, feel free to pm me for support as I've definitely been there.
 
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