Slimming a highland.

[pistolpete]

Currently overweight highland out in two acres no rug and small bib clip two sections of old hay each a day. Shares with one other horse. Last year he didn’t drop any weight until the end of February. Anything else I can do? Someone suggested full clip and use rain sheet. Seems a bit mean! Thoughts?

 

[GypsGal1718]

Can you exercise him in any way? Brisk lunging may help and in hand walks if he can.

 

[pistolpete]

He’s not really sound enough to lunge and a pig to lead as very fearful so not really. I used to walk my old horse miles when he wasn’t able to be ridden it was quite enjoyable. Would be hellish with this one! Also current yard comes out onto a busy road.

 

[GypsGal1718]

sorry didn’t know! I know it is a shag but soaking hay if the other horse would do with it.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

When I needed to get weight off the small companion creatures, I sectioned off half an acre for them to limit their grass intake, and then fed carefully weighed rations of hay twice daily, with good quality straw to keep them from feeling hungry in between meals. But that was during summer, when the ground was dry with no worry of it getting poached. I think it's harder to do in winter, even though the grass has less goodness in it.

 

[pistolpete]

I can’t really soak hay as no running water at field. Only trough at other end of it! Very basic grass livery! Lots of grass hence the problem!

 

[SEL]

I did find a full clip made a difference where a lighter clip didn't - but it's usually Feb where my native finally shifts some blubber (& she stays in light work over winter)

I can see by my rested field that the grass is growing but next week's cold spell should stop it. A friend is still muzzling her Dales mare.

 

[pistolpete]

Whereabouts in the country are you? We are south England so expect our grass is still growing too.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

If there's plenty of grass, I would consider cutting out the hay entirely.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Can you strip grazing him? Otherwise, I'd clip more off & rug. Can you section him off whilst the others get their hay? He doesn't sound like he needs it!

Long term, could you work on in-hand confidence so you can walk him out - using clicker training, desensitisation etc?

 

[GypsGal1718]

Strip grazing and working on in hand work would be my go to

 

[pistolpete]

I’m not allowed to fence him sadly it that would definitely be where I’d go. He’s moving from there in the summer I am going to regain control but where relocating to the midlands and I really don’t want to move him twice as he’s a quirky sensitive soul. Muzzle will just have to go back on soon. I’ve spent hours clicker training him etc. He’s really not into people!

 

[P.forpony]

My mini shetty is fully clipped and naked. He does have a rain sheet but so far this year I've used it about 3 times
He's the TBs emotional support demon so is on the same routine and grazing. Currently in during the day and out at night in a big field with good grass.
His weight is spot on after coming into winter a wee bit round.
He never looks cold or miserable, gets to stuff his greedy little face as much as he likes, and just has a good roll if he's wet when he comes in

Only proviso is that I fully clipped him in Nov when it was still quite mild, so he'd have a little bit of regrowth and acclimatisation. So with your lad it may be worth trying a high blanket just to give him a bit of protection over the topline. But they're almost always a lot tougher in the cold than we think. Especially the natives!

 

[pinkfluffy]

emotional support demon

 

[pistolpete]

Current shape!

 

[meleeka]

Current shape!

I don’t think he looks that fat. You could just increase the clip as it is tiny.

 

[GypsGal1718]

He doesn’t look that fat. I think you can wait till he starts losing weight in late feb as you said.

 

[gallopingby]

I don’t think he looks that fat. You could just increase the clip as it is tiny.

I agree, it’s difficult to tell from a photo but certainly not looking very fat for the time of year. I would just extend the clip a bit.

 

[dottylottie]

i’d extend the clip, maybe a blanket or high irish and leave naked

 

[planete]

He is slimmer than Woody and I was told yesterday by the barefoot trimmer who body scores him that he is spot on for this time of year.

Ps. Do you use a weight tape to check him? The winter coat can make these types look rounder than they are as I found out when I was panicking.

 

[Aperchristmas]

Agree with the others - extend that clip and I think he'll be fine. I was going to suggest muzzling (we sadly have to keep our Shetland muzzled all year round - upside is it means he gets to be out with his full-sized horse friends and not miserable in a starvation paddock) but he doesn't look too bad and I think more of a clip will be enough.

Btw he looks absolutely adorable.

 

[Horseysheepy]

He's a charming looking boy!

Agree with others, he doesn't look as hideously plump like some Highlands you see, but it's hard to tell looking at the photo if he has a crest?

I would personally be worried if he had a crest, particularly a rigid one.

 

[pistolpete]

He was entire until he was six so he does have a crest but it’s checked daily and it is soft

 

[pistolpete]

Better photo?

 

[Aperchristmas]

Oh he is just the cutest. I stand by my earlier post - with a bigger clip he'll be beautifully trim before spring.

 

[pistolpete]

He’s cute to look at but he’s a very shy boy! Needs a loan home next year possibly if you’d like him!

 

[Boulty]

I’d either extend to Irish clip or at least take under the belly & more of the neck off & leave unrugged or take it all off and stick a 50g on (maybe 100g if it’s snowy & icey). That’s how I shifted weight off the fuzzball when he just wouldn’t lose it.

If it makes you feel better he’s still fatter (mainly rounder!) than I’d like this year living on a track naked with a trace clip and all hay being in small holed nets / double netted small holes. But he was out of work for 2 months.

I’m probably going to full clip & lightly rug him at end of this month if he’s still not where I’d like him to be weight wise / if I’m fed up of chiselling mud off him to ride!

 

[Aperchristmas]

He’s cute to look at but he’s a very shy boy! Needs a loan home next year possibly if you’d like him!

Oh god don't tempt me.