Little fatty!

Tifferss

Tifferss

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Please could you help!

I have bought a beautiful and perfectly formed little 3 yr old - however... she is very fat. She is being grazed with a muzzle no hard feed or hay and being hacked little and often (due to weight AND age) for 30-40 mins 2 days on and 3rd day off.

I want to start doing some schooling and would like some fittening tips - what has worked for you ??
 
Tifferss said:
Please could you help!

I have bought a beautiful and perfectly formed little 3 yr old - however... she is very fat. She is being grazed with a muzzle no hard feed or hay and being hacked little and often (due to weight AND age) for 30-40 mins 2 days on and 3rd day off.

I want to start doing some schooling and would like some fittening tips - what has worked for you ??
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Since she is only 3 I would keep the schooling to a minimum. 5 mins on each rein in walk and trot once or twice a week. Just to keep those joints good, plus you don't want her to get bored or go sour at such a young age!
Hillwork will also be good for her, if you have any hills you can walk her up :D
 
Well, firstly I wouldn't ride at 3 yrs whether it was fat or not - never mind school. Walking briskly is the best way to lose weight. Can't you walk her in hand or long rein for 30-40mins everyday instead? I use a muzzle but on a fully grown gelding - has your mare finished growing yet? Compromising her nutrients like that will affect her later in ways which could prove expensive.
 
tallyho! said:
Well, firstly I wouldn't ride at 3 yrs whether it was fat or not - never mind school. Walking briskly is the best way to lose weight. Can't you walk her in hand or long rein for 30-40mins everyday instead? I use a muzzle but on a fully grown gelding - has your mare finished growing yet? Compromising her nutrients like that will affect her later in ways which could prove expensive.[/QUOT

of course she hasn't finished growing! she's only 3! horses don't generally stop growing till their about 5 - not many horses left till five to brake! she is rising 4 (15th May) so perfectly acceptable to be broke. She is still out on grass but not as much as it so still ingesting perfectly ample amounts of "nutrients". As i said in my OP she is hacked out for 30 minutes 5 times a week and she walks at a brisk speed anyway....

Anyone else have any helpful tips :)
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Damnation said:
Since she is only 3 I would keep the schooling to a minimum. 5 mins on each rein in walk and trot once or twice a week. Just to keep those joints good, plus you don't want her to get bored or go sour at such a young age!
Hillwork will also be good for her, if you have any hills you can walk her up :D
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Yes i think that's a great idea. She is a clever little sausage an not much by the way of patience! So boredom / going sour would definitely be an issue :)
 
Best way to get weight off is to reduce food intake. Exercise her as you wish. I assume you bought her fat, so it was her previous regime that made her so. It wll take awhile. If you are concerned about nutrients, these can be supplied to her (vits & minerals) in various forms. Good luck, and report back in 3 months
 
Tifferss said:
Because the breeders let her get that way?? I've only just bought her.
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Then, she'll get slim with your regime and diet :)

I wasn't trying to be spiky - my opinion was that it was a lot of work for a 3/4 yo just because it was fat. Already overweight and with further weight of rider on those growing joints and bones spells out problems. I WAS trying to help believe it or not.
 
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Broken at 3!! This must be a joke or you are trying to wind people up. No horse/pony should be broken and doing that amount of work, whatever,
 
Tifferss said:
I'm sure too. Nothing like a bit of CONSTRUCTIVE help from horsey people though eh :)
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Sorry, we cross posted as I edited. I honestly tried to be, if a little critical, I'm sorry about that.

Walking in hand is honestly THE best way to lose weight. Search it on google, laminitics, fat ponies etc etc. I tried it myself on my laminitic and it works.
 
How long have you had her? TBH i would just keep on as you are and keep an eye on it. Have you got a weight tape or something? Then you'd be able to measure as opposed to just doing it by sight :)

Luckily our fat one has come out of winter quite slim for once, should make our summer management easier this year :)
 
tallyho! said:
Sorry, we cross posted as I edited. I honestly tried to be, if a little critical, I'm sorry about that.

Walking in hand is honestly THE best way to lose weight. Search it on google, laminitics, fat ponies etc etc. I tried it myself on my laminitic and it works.
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OK - thanks for your advise :)
 
Stencilface said:
If she is four this year that work load is probably fine, people event 4yos :)
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I know :) but people are entitled to their misjudged snap comments ;) PS haven't got a weight tape but i found a video on a horse welfare site that went through fat scoring 1-5 i think. was really helpful. She is definitely to fat :D Her Sire - Crown Rhoddenite historically sires extremely good doers!!
 
I am certainly not misinformed and I am sure I am not alone in thinking this workload is too much for a 3 or 4 year old. Horses doing too much too early is the reason they don't stay sound for too long. Why the hurry to do so much, they need to grow and mature before they can cope with a rider and all that has come to be expected of them. My opinion and you of course are entitled to disagree. As for eventing at 4, this is the reason so many horses end up with splints, tendon injuries and other problems by the time they are 8.
 
Hollyberry said:
I am certainly not misinformed and I am sure I am not alone in thinking this workload is too much for a 3 or 4 year old. Horses doing too much too early is the reason they don't stay sound for too long. Why the hurry to do so much, they need to grow and mature before they can cope with a rider and all that has come to be expected of them. My opinion and you of course are entitled to disagree. As for eventing at 4, this is the reason so many horses end up with splints, tendon injuries and other problems by the time they are 8.
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Right.... and if I WAS eventing her I maybe inclined to agree. But I'm not. I'm doing light hacking with 10 - 15 minutes schooling PER WEEK.
 
Hello t

This strikes a chord with me as I have a 13.3 native that always seemed to be fat.

She is bloomin ripped at the mo and looks fantastic and in turn has more and more energy and therefore just keeps looking better.

The biggest thing this is down to is getting a bloody good instructor and have a lesson once a week to show me how to REALLY ride a horse properly - working through their back etc and not have me gripping like complete looser with my knees keeping the handbrake on - poor beast,

Of course you cannot do that with the youngster but as part if the fitness campaign I have been taking mine out jogging with me as I get married soon and needed to get fit myself!

In three months we have lost weight, got stronger, traffic proof, better pals and she is a better horse to lead and ride! We can go for four miles non stop - high vis of course but we don't go on roads much anyway! Bridle on but head collar on too - bridle is a just incase.

We live in hilly west yorkshire too so the up hill an down dale has really helped.

Plus if I get tired she is great for pulling me up the hill !

Always a tough one with a fatty - I think its ok to ride her with what your doing tbh - ESP at that level just give her full weeks off now and again maybe?

Good luck
 
browbrow said:
Hello t

This strikes a chord with me as I have a 13.3 native that always seemed to be fat.

She is bloomin ripped at the mo and looks fantastic and in turn has more and more energy and therefore just keeps looking better.

The biggest thing this is down to is getting a bloody good instructor and have a lesson once a week to show me how to REALLY ride a horse properly - working through their back etc and not have me gripping like complete looser with my knees keeping the handbrake on - poor beast,

Of course you cannot do that with the youngster but as part if the fitness campaign I have been taking mine out jogging with me as I get married soon and needed to get fit myself!

In three months we have lost weight, got stronger, traffic proof, better pals and she is a better horse to lead and ride! We can go for four miles non stop - high vis of course but we don't go on roads much anyway! Bridle on but head collar on too - bridle is a just incase.

We live in hilly west yorkshire too so the up hill an down dale has really helped.

Plus if I get tired she is great for pulling me up the hill !

Always a tough one with a fatty - I think its ok to ride her with what your doing tbh - ESP at that level just give her full weeks off now and again maybe?

Good luck
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You take her jogging in hand???? What a great idea!! unfortunately I have to do a bit of road work to get anywhere I'd feel happy trotting her on for a long period of time..... however she really strides out so maybe I could get away with me jogging and her stomping...
 
Our fell was morbidly obese when we bought her. It took 2 years to fully bring her back to a healthy weight. Weight comes off fatties very slowly - patience is the key!

Sounds like you are already doing plenty of work, given her age, and her diet sounds correct. I'm afraid there's nothing for it but time now!

My biggest tip is actually to take a weekly picture of her side on. When you see them daily it can be difficult to see the progress. Having the pictures gives you something to compare!

Good luck and hang in there. It's not an easy thing to do!
 
MissSBird said:
Our fell was morbidly obese when we bought her. It took 2 years to fully bring her back to a healthy weight. Weight comes off fatties very slowly - patience is the key!

Sounds like you are already doing plenty of work, given her age, and her diet sounds correct. I'm afraid there's nothing for it but time now!

My biggest tip is actually to take a weekly picture of her side on. When you see them daily it can be difficult to see the progress. Having the pictures gives you something to compare!

Good luck and hang in there. It's not an easy thing to do!
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Patience has never been one of my virtues.... but i think I'll have to learn it this time!!
 
Yes I certainly do ! She really likes doing it too, and is better behaved than the dogs and better company! Jog her round the field if you have nowhere to go - you might get some funny looks but it will work ! If you don't run already - good asics running shoes and a good sports bra - long lead rope and something smelly in your pocket to keep horse keen on you doesn't have to be a naughty treat. Mine has lost thirty kg or so and muscled up tons as my jog is a good working trot speed for her. I don't manage her weight any other way barring bringing in for a few hours now and again and paddocks are always reasonably grazed down before she goes in but no bloody muzzle - she just gets them off in the end. It wont work for all but she is happy enough doing it. we vary distance speed and terrain time and then do schooling only once a week now it's all I can bear! Rest is general charing about or jumping :-) I also dont giver her days off I've always given her full weeks off each time - seems to work better for her to have proper holidays
 
browbrow said:
Yes I certainly do ! She really likes doing it too, and is better behaved than the dogs and better company! Jog her round the field if you have nowhere to go - you might get some funny looks but it will work ! If you don't run already - good asics running shoes and a good sports bra - long lead rope and something smelly in your pocket to keep horse keen on you doesn't have to be a naughty treat. Mine has lost thirty kg or so and muscled up tons as my jog is a good working trot speed for her. I don't manage her weight any other way barring bringing in for a few hours now and again and paddocks are always reasonably grazed down before she goes in but no bloody muzzle - she just gets them off in the end. It wont work for all but she is happy enough doing it. we vary distance speed and terrain time and then do schooling only once a week now it's all I can bear! Rest is general charing about or jumping :-) I also dont giver her days off I've always given her full weeks off each time - seems to work better for her to have proper holidays
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I might do a couple of laps of the field instead of lunging!! how far do you generally go?
 
MissSBird said:
Our fell was morbidly obese when we bought her. It took 2 years to fully bring her back to a healthy weight. Weight comes off fatties very slowly - patience is the key!

Sounds like you are already doing plenty of work, given her age, and her diet sounds correct. I'm afraid there's nothing for it but time now!

My biggest tip is actually to take a weekly picture of her side on. When you see them daily it can be difficult to see the progress. Having the pictures gives you something to compare!

Good luck and hang in there. It's not an easy thing to do!
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Photo thing totally agree with and deffo agree with the fact that weight loss needs to be done long term. I suppose horse are no different to us - stave and crash diet it just goes back on as quick as you lost it .
 
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