I feel very very cruel :(

MrsElle

MrsElle

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 November 2008
Messages
6,183
Location
Back Where My Heart Is :)
Visit site
Blue and Lolapony have wintered well, Lola hasn't been rugged at all and Blue has just had a rainsheet on when it was really bad. The have lived out 24/7 and haven't had any hard feed, just ad lib hay.

I really have to poke hard to feel ribs but Blue makes me feel so guilty. They are on just under an acre of poor grazing with a couple of slices of hay a day between them. Lola is fine but Blue is food obsessed and has taken to being a bit of a thug when we go down to the field, mugging OH in particular in the hope of finding something to eat. We have never fed tit bits although I do know that a couple of the neighbours sneak them the odd carrot.

Am I doing right leaving them with the poor grazing and minimal hay? Is Blue hungry or just being a greedy pig who is trying it on? Boh look fab, in good condition, shiny coats (or as shiny greys can get!) and no apparent problems.

Any advice/reassurance greatfully recieved!
 
Blue's a fell isn't he? My fell is the same. Last year he was on restricted turnout (4 hours a day) and then weighed hay. He is food obsessed and I felt so guilty but you have to remember it's for their own good.

To be honest I think I could stuff my fell full of food and he's still mug me if I even thought about giving him treats - I once tried to do carrot stretches with him with pony nuts and was mugged for about a week!!!

Sounds like an ideal setup for fatty natives - if you can have longer turnout hours / 24/7 turnout on poorer grazing rather than keeping them in like I have to with my boy then so much the better.
 
My PBA is much like that.... he could be so stuffed he can barely move but would still mug you if he thought he could get even a blade of hay..... some of 'em are just food obsessed!!! If his weights good, don't worry! :D
 
He is indeed a Fell, Walrus.

We don't feed treats at all knowing that on the one or two occasions we did when he was a baby we suffered the repercussions for weeks after in the form of fence kicking when we approached and mugging us.

Lola is a Welshie and is as good as gold, it is just Blue who is giving me the huge guilt trip!

I shall harden my heart to his attempts to kajole/bully/steal food and tell him I only have his best interests at heart!

Thank you :)
 
Fell ponies can live on air supplemented by lichen they suck off rocks........they are almost indestructible!

Tough love will win through, so keep it up.....
 
Thanks Crazydancer, I guess I had such a hard job keeping weight on my old girl it is a bit odd to have the opposite problem with Blue! Can't believe the lack of feed bills, although OH is more than happy on that score!

*mutters to self* I will not give in, I will not give in......... :D
 
Bedlam, I will endeavour to keep up the tough love routine and I have decided to ask the neighbours not to feed them. They are actually very good and did ask if they could feed the occasional carrot or crust of bed but I think they are going to have to cut it out altogether. Blue is not going to be happy...........!
 
I'm in the same position- feel like a very mean mummy walking away from Misty after putting her grazing muzzle on, with her looking at my all doe eyed. But tough love definitely is better than letting them eat as much as they want. Besides after 10 minutes when I look outside my window I see her happily eating with her muzzle on- so she's obviously trying it on! :rolleyes:
 
Why don't you do the paddock paradise thing? It'll keep them moving, entertained and you could grow some grass in the middle for winter months.

That way, you could add hay at various points, they won't get fat on meadow hay and will keep things interesting.

Can't guarantee the mugging will stop... especially if you can't control neighbours feeding carrots (this is my pet hate).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top