overweight horse

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StarrysGirl

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my 4 year old is overweight. he only gets 1/4 scoop of Sweet Feed, and as much hay as he wants. but i currently have another horse that is underweight and needs all of the hay he can get. so what should i do with my overweight horse to trim him down?
 
Are they in or out? Cut out the sweet feed an soak his hay for 12 hours. Work out how much hay he needs (10% of bodyweight I think) and weigh his hay so he only gets what he needs, double net it to make it last longer. How much work is he in?
 
Stop feeding the sweet for a start and reduce the hay. I have a similar problem. Mine is a big fat Clydesdale and her lightweight 3yr old filly. I bring mum in at night with a slice of hay in a net with small holes and a tiny feed, enough to mix her Linseed & Sunflower seeds for her coat in.

Filly then gets a good sized feed that she can pick through all night.

If you have stables or a yard you could do this too. Adding hay for your thin one as well.
 
Then I would fence off the field so they are either side of the fence. Leave the skinny horse with the bale and throw hay over the fence to the youngster.
 
the problem i run in with that is if it rains or storms or something my youngest one can't get into the barn. and if i leave them together is i run into the problem that i can't get past my youngest one without giving him some kind of feed because he is food aggressive
 
For the food aggresive youngster a good length of elkathene pipe is your friend - spin it around so it makes a nice woooping noise and he will remove himself pretty quick. He has to learn basic manners and one is definately not to mug the food supplier.

Where abouts are you? Is the weather likely to be very extreme?

I would still bring in one of the horses and stable him overnight so that you can limit the food of one and increase the ratioins of the other.

If you are worried about the effects of the weather then I would leave the fat one outside with a small amoount of hay. If the weather is horrible then rug him. Horses are more than capable of dealing with the weather. Mine are un rugged all year round and do fine.
 
Evelyn said:
For the food aggresive youngster a good length of elkathene pipe is your friend - spin it around so it makes a nice woooping noise and he will remove himself pretty quick. He has to learn basic manners and one is definately not to mug the food supplier.
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See I would not do this as it could make them scared of objects and noises - i like to make mine bombproof not stressing about things like that.

simple answer remove the feed and place a muzzle on - but how overweight is he - we will be going into winter soon and its better to have a good coverage going into winter.
 
Dancing Queen said:
See I would not do this as it could make them scared of objects and noises - i like to make mine bombproof not stressing about things like that.
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I've done it with all my food pushy youngsters and not had a single problem - they all come when called! You don't hit them with it and you usually only need to do it a couple of times and they stay back. They don't stress but stay out of its reach.
 
Evelyn said:
I've done it with all my food pushy youngsters and not had a single problem - they all come when called! You don't hit them with it and you usually only need to do it a couple of times and they stay back. They don't stress but stay out of its reach.
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Im glad - My youngsters come to call, any 'pushyness' (sp) is dealt with immediately without the use of tools. Its good that your technique works for you.
 
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