swampdonkey
Well-Known Member
I am a bit confused as to which way to go.
My boy is not fat as such but could prob do with losing a little weight but definately don't want him to get any bigger and with spring grass coming through not sure which way to achieve this. He is exercised about 4-5 times a week and I have been trying to up the intensity a bit. We don't compete but school, have lessons and hack.
If stabled it would be for 8 hours in the day, think he would spend most of this time snoozing so wouldn't eat much hay. But have heard that they can gorge on grass when they turn back out because they have been without it. Also they are obviously not exercising whilst in stable.
Grazing muzzle doesn't sit easily with me, not a big fan of them but I can see the benefits, restricted grass would also be 8 hours a day, they are moving around the whole time looking for the longer grass. Have heard that they can gorge on grass when muzzle removed so exactly the same as stabled.
Can't restrict grazing any other way as out in about 12 acres with 7 other geldings, no fatty paddock available.
Really not sure which way to go???
Which do you think is more effective?
My boy is not fat as such but could prob do with losing a little weight but definately don't want him to get any bigger and with spring grass coming through not sure which way to achieve this. He is exercised about 4-5 times a week and I have been trying to up the intensity a bit. We don't compete but school, have lessons and hack.
If stabled it would be for 8 hours in the day, think he would spend most of this time snoozing so wouldn't eat much hay. But have heard that they can gorge on grass when they turn back out because they have been without it. Also they are obviously not exercising whilst in stable.
Grazing muzzle doesn't sit easily with me, not a big fan of them but I can see the benefits, restricted grass would also be 8 hours a day, they are moving around the whole time looking for the longer grass. Have heard that they can gorge on grass when muzzle removed so exactly the same as stabled.
Can't restrict grazing any other way as out in about 12 acres with 7 other geldings, no fatty paddock available.
Really not sure which way to go???
Which do you think is more effective?
I've just moved yards so don't have a fatty paddock any more. Got more grass than she will ever need now so depending on how we get on, I'm planning to stable during the day and then TO with a muzzle every other night. My mare is a good weight now so I want to keep on top of it.
however this year I've invested in a greenguard muzzle which he is much happier in, no rubs at all from it and he wears it most days but is stabled at night still, this has helps no end as he has gone from a 52" girth to a 44"
