Monitoring weight

[Mbronze]

Do you think it would be best to help my horse's increasing waistline by giving her a day out in the field and then a day in, on an alternate basis.
Or giving her a couple of hours out each day in the field..

I have her in full work and she is on 2 small feeds a day..

Shes in at night so gets a net of haylage..

 

[Baggybreeches]

I would do a couple of hours each day. I dont think alternate days would help, but definitely restricted hours will.

 

[Paint it Lucky]

What is the grass like in her field? If it's fairly well eaten down then I would have her live out at night as the grass is less rich then and she could loose some weight by wandering around. Even if the grass is quite rich I'd still say turn her out everyday for at least a few hours. I wouldn't alternate days as most horses like to have a routine so it may upset her. Maybe reduce her hard feeds or give her hay instead of haylage t help her loose/stop gaining any more weight. If you gave her hay you could also soak it to get rid of some of the energy value.

 

[tormor]

my boy is on a diet he gets 3 hours a day out in a well eaten down paddock. he gets hay twice a day and goes on the walker twice a day he is ridden when i have someone willing to (about 3 times a week) and if he is very lucky he gets a carrot! agree with others cut down hard feed and feed hay

 

[Mbronze]

Thanks guys, the grass is quite rich in her field, good point about the haylage will give her soaked hay instead - she is quite a drama queen and will pick up a cough from the hay if it's not soaked..