Shetland weight and haylage questions

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Hayjay

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Im trying to reduce my Shetlands weight. Should I be calculating his hay amount according to his current weight and readjust as he reduces or to his ideal weight? He is having 12 hour soaked hay but doesn't always finish it all. Haylage would be much easier as I feed it to my mare but not sure if I can feed to shetland who's weight I am trying to reduce? Any advice appreciated. Thank you.
 
How much hay are you giving? They need a surprisingly small amount. Mt two share a stable a d only eat a slice over night (8pm-7am) but they are always full from grass.

Feeding haylage to a shetland is asking for trouble, stick to what you're feeding, you may just need to adjust how much.
 
muckypony said:
How much hay are you giving? They need a surprisingly small amount. Mt two share a stable a d only eat a slice over night (8pm-7am) but they are always full from grass.

Feeding haylage to a shetland is asking for trouble, stick to what you're feeding, you may just need to adjust how much.
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I've been giving 3kg a day, split into two nets, soaked for 12 hours. It's in greedy feeder nets and lasts all day or night, often a little left over. He's only having hay atm in all weather turnout area as big field has too much grass! When it dries out a bit more, I will put my mare on a track and get it grazed down for him.
 
Hayjay said:
Im trying to reduce my Shetlands weight. Should I be calculating his hay amount according to his current weight and readjust as he reduces or to his ideal weight? He is having 12 hour soaked hay but doesn't always finish it all. Haylage would be much easier as I feed it to my mare but not sure if I can feed to shetland who's weight I am trying to reduce? Any advice appreciated. Thank you.
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According to sources like bluecross, fat horse slim, it depends how overweight pony is. So if he is on drastic diet as risk of lammy etc then it's percentage of ideal weight, if just trying to keep in check then percentage of a current weight.

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/80161/fat-horse-slim.html
 
I feed high fibre haylage((equilage) to my shetland as she gets a cough with hay. I don't weigh it but give an arm full and she does fine on it and keeps her weight down ( better than my connemara who inhales haylage !)
 
Hayjay said:
I have no idea how to post a photo!
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I might have worked it out. This should be my hairy little man:

image.jpg1.jpg
 
He doesnt look particularly overweight to me but it could be the angle :)
I feed haylage to my Shetlands...for weightloss you should feed the horsehage blue (high fibre) or equivalent.
 
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How old is he? Has he had a tooth check or Cushing's test recently, or tested for Metabolic syndrome? Just saying because he looks very like our Shetland that came back with a high count. He looks more like a pony that has been fatter and has lost weight in some areas but left fat pads.
 
Gloi said:
How old is he? Has he had a tooth check or Cushing's test recently, or tested for Metabolic syndrome? Just saying because he looks very like our Shetland that came back with a high count. He looks more like a pony that has been fatter and has lost weight in some areas but left fat pads.
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Teeth check in September, all good. Vet was out last month for jabs and no concerns. He is 24 (but could be older?). He has always been very healthy. Never had laminitis despite being fatter in the past.
 
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