Natch
Well-Known Member
.. well, me as well 
Seriously. He is fat. Fatty fat fat. He has joined Podgy Ponies which will hopefully be a sticky thread, but I am after some hints & tips on his exercise regime.
Due to enforced field rest for a few weeks he has ballooned. Prior to that though he was reasonably fit - and boy you can tell he is as fresh as ever at the moment, and bored with it!
Saddle no longer fits - but it will do when he has lost 50kg or so. I'm not buying another one for the hopefully short period of time he'll take to slim back into it, and its on its widest setting
He can - and does long rein, lunge and play natural horsemanship. He has also driven, so I wonder if driving him is an option, but in any case he needs to be less fresh before we put him to the carriage, otherwise chaos will ensue!
So then.. what's the best groundwork for a fitish podgy pony whose saddle doesn't fit? Am I going for lots of walking or making him work really hard? A balance of both?
Is there anything I can use as a temporary "saddle" if I get on him before he is slim enough for it? I'm usually happy bareback on him, but while he is feeling fresh would like something to help me stay on!
Any ideas appreciated.
Seriously. He is fat. Fatty fat fat. He has joined Podgy Ponies which will hopefully be a sticky thread, but I am after some hints & tips on his exercise regime.
Due to enforced field rest for a few weeks he has ballooned. Prior to that though he was reasonably fit - and boy you can tell he is as fresh as ever at the moment, and bored with it!
Saddle no longer fits - but it will do when he has lost 50kg or so. I'm not buying another one for the hopefully short period of time he'll take to slim back into it, and its on its widest setting
He can - and does long rein, lunge and play natural horsemanship. He has also driven, so I wonder if driving him is an option, but in any case he needs to be less fresh before we put him to the carriage, otherwise chaos will ensue!
So then.. what's the best groundwork for a fitish podgy pony whose saddle doesn't fit? Am I going for lots of walking or making him work really hard? A balance of both?
Is there anything I can use as a temporary "saddle" if I get on him before he is slim enough for it? I'm usually happy bareback on him, but while he is feeling fresh would like something to help me stay on!
Any ideas appreciated.
Also, a long shot but you can't get access to a horse walker for some steady work each day?
. Try and make the 'circle' eliptical, to reduce the strain on the inside legs, plus it's nice than just standing in the middle getting dizzy lol