Puffy Pony

[kylie88]

My pony gets quite puffed out after 15mins of work but it doesn’t seem to matter if he’s worked 4 times a week or 2! The vet has checked him out and says there is nothing wrong just unfit. He does have quite alot of bone and ppl have said to me thats its because hes chunky so finds things alot harder and those types of ponies take alot of hard work to get them fit.
Should I be concerned?

 

[joeanne]

What work is he doing? if you are spending fifteen minutes doing a lot of trot and canter work and he is unfit, then yes he is going to be puffed out.
Walking is the best way to fitten up a horse. Lots and lots of it.
I would spend a minimum of three weeks walking, increasing the time gradually (a good active walk, not a plod).
Only then would I start any trotting work, again gradually increasing the amount of time.
Is he overweight (there is a difference between chunky and fat!)? An overweight pony will find it harder than a slim jim.
Is he fed correctly in line with his built, workload, age etc?
Eveyone will need a bit more info before being able to really help you!

 

[kylie88]

Once it gets to this time of years hes in light work, if he schooled its about 20mins and if hes hacked out anything from half hour to an hour. So im aware that hes not that fit, hes just kept ticking over for the winter! In spring i start getting him fit for summer but even at his fittest being ridden 5 times a week after a canter or stretch of trotting he needs a breather
Hes not overweight but does have to be on a controlled diet as he can easily pile on the pounds so just has a bit of happy hoof with pink powder plus hay in winter!
hes a 14.2 haflinger 9yrs , i was thinking of giving him somehting like Red Cell??