Shetland owners

[PC Steele]

I have a mini Shetland who is in a field appropriate for his size, he is muzzled 99% of the time. No hard feed. He is a companion but he does get long reined 3 times a week but he still resembles a hippopotamus!!!! He’s never had laminitis but his size worries me. Any suggestions?

 

[NeverSurrender]

Can you partially clip him and leave him out without a rug to shiver a bit? Even just a neck and belly clip should help?

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Swimming. It really is the best exercise your little ones will have. Tones the muscles which in turn boosts their metabolism for weeks afterwards. Saved both my EMS and mild laminitic ponies last summer. Neither are Shetlands but wanted to share the experience.

 

[Gloi]

Can you take him with you on the lead when you ride?

 

[Bonnie Allie]

What is your own exercise routine? Can you take him for a run with you each day? Or even a 5-6km walk?

Horses like humans need the metabolic rate sorted in order to effectively manage excess weight.

 

[Red-1]

I taught mine to lunge. I didn't worry about it as the 30m school must have seemed huge for him. A quick run round a couple of times a week, in addition to long reining (which I did to learn dressage tests).

He never really got obese. I never had to clip. He didn't wear a muzzle either, but his 'paddock' was 20m X 25m, with a supplementary 10m X 25m when he was really hungry. He had a little hay at night when he was in. No feed.

 

[maya2008]

Lead him off yours? They are surprisingly fast and keep up well!

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Swimming. It really is the best exercise your little ones will have. Tones the muscles which in turn boosts their metabolism for weeks afterwards. Saved both my EMS and mild laminitic ponies last summer. Neither are Shetlands but wanted to share the experience.

Did you use a specialist water track, or literally just in the sea?!

 

[scruffyponies]

If you can, turn him out in a much larger area where there is very little food. Tiny turn out paddocks prevent ponies getting even a minimal amount of exercise, which in turns slows metabolism and creates food-obsessed boredom - a bit like people really!

Definitely take him with you on long fast rides, and if you can, drive him.
Do not underestimate the amount of work they should be doing. Mine is very happy with a 10+ mile fast ride, with a child who has already outgrown him.

He will also keep up with (and often overtake) much larger horses in gallop!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Did you use a specialist water track, or literally just in the sea?!

I use a proper equine swimming pool. It’s one long lane with slopes either end and they walk in, swim, walk out, turn and repeat. They went and stayed on full livery for 10 days and they build up to 12 laps daily plus they go on the walker as well. Both came back really toned, fit and with DP he continued to lose weight for quite a few weeks after he came home.

 

[Apercrumbie]

Best thing you can do is train to ride & lead. Even 2 or 3 30 min hacks at a good trot would work wonders, and if the horse you ride has a fast walk even better! Then he is fitting into your riding routine and you're not having to consistently find the extra time to deal with him.