katiejemima
New User
My 5yo Dartmoor isn't grossly overweight but I need to be at least maintaining or shifting where he is currently at.
He lives out 24 7 until Oct/Nov on good grazing. He is currently worked 3 x per week.
I have sectioned off an area at the top of his paddock and have been leaving him in there 3 x a week for about 8hrs with well soaked hay to reduce his time at grass. I could do more days a week but try and avoid doing it in wet weather where he then has restricted movement and can churn the ground more.
My baby is due at the end of this month so this combined with him having his wolf teeth out will mean he has a couple of months off, so upping the days in the closed paddock is an option during this time. However by then hopefully the spring grass won't be as sugar high.
He has half a mug of chaf in the morning just so he's not the only one without breakfast, it's barely 100grams.
I dont want to use a muzzle, I also don't believe it would stay on given every fly mask I've ever bought has come off within the hour.
Do these sound sufficient precautions/ management? I haven't had a small native before and am very conscious to avoid excessive weight and laminitis.
He lives out 24 7 until Oct/Nov on good grazing. He is currently worked 3 x per week.
I have sectioned off an area at the top of his paddock and have been leaving him in there 3 x a week for about 8hrs with well soaked hay to reduce his time at grass. I could do more days a week but try and avoid doing it in wet weather where he then has restricted movement and can churn the ground more.
My baby is due at the end of this month so this combined with him having his wolf teeth out will mean he has a couple of months off, so upping the days in the closed paddock is an option during this time. However by then hopefully the spring grass won't be as sugar high.
He has half a mug of chaf in the morning just so he's not the only one without breakfast, it's barely 100grams.
I dont want to use a muzzle, I also don't believe it would stay on given every fly mask I've ever bought has come off within the hour.
Do these sound sufficient precautions/ management? I haven't had a small native before and am very conscious to avoid excessive weight and laminitis.