Overweight horse help

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bumblelion

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My TB gelding is definitely a bit on the chubby side. He's been out of work at rest for a few months and is to be brought back into work next week when his new tack arrives. Until a few weeks ago he lived out in the day, in at night and was a healthy weight but is now out 24/7 and eating a lot of that spring grass!! He has a handful of alfa a in the morning and again in the evening to mix his supplements into. I'm planning to start lunging him from tomorrow although once he begins work he gets very silly and need him to be calm for the saddle fitter and whilst saddle is being bed in!! Been told got to keep to a walk! Which is hard to tell an exracer abouts to begin retraining!!
I know once he gets into work he will trim up although I feel I should be doing something now, what do you think?

I'v thought about bringing him in for the day and turning him out at night or vice versa but he gets so wound up in his stable (he never used to until all the other horses went out 24/7) that he's a complete nutter to handle. I really don't fancy putting a grazing muzzle on him although will do if comes down to it.

Should I just change from alfa a to a lower cal like hi fi lite or good doer and wait until we start work?
Please help, thanks
 
Hi,

I'd drop him down to Hi-Fi as alfa a is rich stuff....
A bit cruel...... but if you were desperate for him to loose weight then a bit of stress in the stable might make him drop the weight. Obviously depends how mental he goes in the stable on him own as it would defeat the purpose if he injures himself just before you wanted to start working him.
make sure you are up to date with your worming as well, esp if he looks a bit pot- bellied rather than fat allover.
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His excess weight is down to spending too much time at grass & this is what is putting the pounds on. If you cannot fence off a small piece of paddock then you will need to put a muzzle on him. That way he can stay out for fairly long periods but will not be able to eat as much as he is now. I muzzle mine with a Greenguard & his weight & condition is great......& he has no problems eating or drinking.
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You say his a bit chubby, but how chubby is a bit? if its just a case of a a little extra covering i really wouldnt worry too much if i was you as like you say, coming back into work will bring the wight down. Just remember when you are coming back into work that the best fat burner is slow exercise as fat can only be utilised as an energy supply during aerobic respiration.
 
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