Rant!!!

[Stinkbomb]

Am really wound up!!! Inky shares approx one acre field with a section b 4 year old gelding. The grass has been so good that we have recently "borrowed" another 2 section b colts to help eat off the grass as strip grazing wasnt an option. Inky has been coming in at night and is out about 7 hours a day. Since the introduction of the colts Inky seems to have lost weight due to constantly playing and running around. However my friends section b has balloned. When the colts started in the field she decided to leave hers out 24/7 as she couldnt be bothered mucking out. Despite all on the small yard telling her that he was too fat anyway without 24 hour grazing. He does no work at all. She brought him in yesterday to worm and he is absolutley massive. I would be in tears if he was mine. His neck has gone so "cresty" and is rock hard. He looks in foal and to be honest looks awful. I have said it to her straight today that she is going to kill him if she carries on and she just turned around and said " he's fine, il lunge him and it will turn into muscle!! " WTF!!!!! The YO has now TOLD her that she is not allowed to leave him out 24/7 and if she doesnt like it she can leave. She just thinks everyone is picking on her and seriously thinks her pony is fine. I really feel like saying i told you so but i just feel for her pony. I dont know what else to do other than leave it and let her find out for herself. I could have left Inky out 24/7 for an easy life but i didnt. He came in despite being in the yard on his own which i hated, but it was the only option to prevent him becoming ill. I dont know whether to keep on at her or leave her be?

Sorry for the rant but i am so annoyed. I saw this coming last week but was just ignored and it makes me sooo angry

 

[Fantasy_World]

Well all you can do is advise I'm afraid because at the end of the day it is her pony and the decision on 24 hour grazing is hers to make unless the YO imposes restrictions which you have said they have.
Could you not suggest the use of a grazing muzzle to her and say that way she could monitor the pony's weight whilst at the same time he can be out as much as possible?
Cazx

 

[Tia]

I would drop it now. The YO is involved, leave it to her to sort out. As a YO, I personally wouldn't have given that ultimatum as I believe although we can advise, we shouldn't be ordering people about with what they do with their own horses.....at least not until something has happened to warrant this. I will give the facts and scenarios which can crop up, but then the ball is firmly left in their court.

Hope everything works out for the best though.

 

[Chex]

I hate watching people do stupid things with their horses, knowing they won't listen to any other advice. But it is her pony, so her choice. Personally I would be very angry if my YO gave me an ultimatum like that, I firmly believe my horse is in my care, so my decision - noone elses. Think you'll just have to ignore, and I totally understand how frustrating that is

 

[Christmas_Kate]

Sadly, people only learn through their mistakes. I should know...

. I could so easily have killed the kid's pony through being so niave.
Can she not muzzle this pony (checking the muzzle daily for fit etc) ? I'm sure, with careful muzzling, perhaps bringing in during the day (and deep littering to save time), something can be worked out to make sure this pony doesnt get ill.

Not having access to a stable atm, I've had to put ponio in a tiny paddock, with rubbish grass and a muzzle 24/7. I compromised by letting him have freedom in the big paddock for one night a week (but still with his muzzle on) and a good gallop round twice a day. Lots of in hand walking etc. I thought he'd never lose this weight, but already he's starting to look much better. I'll post photos later.

 

[Stinkbomb]

I agree with everyones comments really. She wont put a muzzle on him as she doesnt believe his condition to be bad???

I too would be quite annoyed if the YO told me what to do but in his defense he has spent the last couple of weeks telling her the facts about what she was doing to the pony. On speaking to him last night he told me is just couldnt bear it if the pony became ill and he feels he has been forced into making that decision. He is VERY good with us re turnout and other things etc... and isnt one for stepping in when not really necessary. I think the thing is we have both had horses in the past that have needed the grass. My Simon was old and her other horse was a growing shire x. Sadly We lost them both last year. We have both bought horses that were totally different to what we were used to. I have had to really educate myself on turnout and this has been really hard as i still sometimes cant believe my little ankle bitter can survive on fresh air

I just cant seem to educate her and i know ill have to let her find out for herself