Putting pony on a diet

[indiat]

Hi all,

My daughter's pony has jsut had six weeks off work for ulcer treatment and is the size of a house with all the grass we have been getting this year and I need to put him on a diet. The problem is, with ulcers he really needs to eat little and often and has ad lib hay when in. Would he still lose weight if put on more hay, less grass and would turning him out at night make a difference? He can't do too much excerise at the moment becuase when we tried bringing him back into work he started bucking and now I am waiting for the back person to come out to him!

 

[starry94]

i've heard there's less sugars in the grass at night

 

[HazyXmas]

Hi

I've got a similar problem with fat pony who's been on restricted work. I soak her hay for as long as possible (usually 4-6 hours) & i'm trying to source some oat straw to mix with it.

We are working up to having her out every night from 7.30pm - 7.30am as sugar content is lower at night then two small haynets when she's in (1 at 11 & then another at 3.30)

You could also try double netting & also the 'track' system around the paddock sounds like an interesting idea. I'm thinking of trying that as soon as it dries up a bit.

Good luck. Hope he's better soon.

 

[Mince Pie]

I'd put him out at night - with a muzzle if lots of grass, the in during the day with soaked hay. If you put net into soak overnight then most of the sugarswill be leached out.