So upset

I wouldn't worry too much if I were you as I think it's better that they drop off a bit now, so close to Spring grass coming through, than be well covered and then just get fatter.

She's out in a field of Shetlands isn't she? Feeding her will be a nightmare as they'll all want some!!

I've just moved mine into a new field with what seems like lots of grass, so they don't want the hay I'm putting out, but they've all dropped weight - even my Shetland!

But I know in a few weeks the good grass will be coming through and then 2 of the three of them will be on a diet.

Personally I'd leave yours where he is as I think it's better that they're out and exercising themselves and a bit skinny than stuck in a stable 36hrs at a time and looking well covered.
 
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See this is what makes it hard. Some are telling me to bring her home and feed her up and others are saying to leave her there and she doesn't need feeding coz she isn't in work
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If she is losing condition, she needs feeding. Does she have ad-lib hay/haylage?
 
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Is she having a growth spurt? Mine used to lose condition during growth spurts then put it back on again afterwards.

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She hasn't stopped having growth spurts since I bought her as a 2 year old!!! She is nearly 17hh!!!!
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Blimey! Did you know she would be this big??
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Seriously though I am a great supporter of having horses live out, and all mine do. But at that size your horse needs massive amounts of grass just to maintain herself, which at this time of year she can't get. The "not feeding when not in work" works for some breeds but definitely not for others, and definitely not for horses at 17h in winter. Even with a rug she is probably using way more energy keeping warm and moving around than she can get from the grass.
My advice is try to leave her out by all means, but find a way to feed her 2 good feeds a day as well. Fencing off a small area by the gate sounds like a good plan. Speak to the Shetland owners about your concerns and see if they can suggest anything else or help you to set that up. The shetties are of course fine out there without any extra feed, but yours just isn't. With the type of horse you have, it is not advisable to just leave them for 1 or 2 weeks, they do want checking every day, at least once a day. If only to make sure they have no injuries.

Also, don't blame yourself. You were doing what you thought was best and have now seen you need to do something to improve the situation, and have asked for advice. Plenty of good advice here, now its time to weed out the best and run with it.
As for the rug...when you go up every day to feed, you can check all the straps are still ok, and run your hands underneath...no need to pull it off every day IMO. And horses living out don't need grooming every day! They want that oil in their coats to keep them waterproof.
Once the weather improves take it off in the daytime and put it back at night.
 
i was going to say pen a small area off that you can take her in to and feed etc once a day, the main thing you have to ask yourself is, is she happy?, if not maybe bring her home but bringing her home so soon will unsettle her more even tho she knows the yard and she may drop off even more, as said try to feed her once a day and if time maybe a little hay to, the grass will start to come soon, mine is already coming though and she will soon pick up.
 
Sorry if I repeat, haven't read all the other posts.

Your horse sounds as if it needs feeding. I don't understand why it's difficult to get her out of the field to do this - but you're going to have to do something. Spring and good grass is a long way off.

I wonder what the other horses look like under their rugs. Also sounds like some hay in the field is needed.
 
I was going to suggest a small enclosure to feed her in but looks like many others have suggested it. I have this in my field just to make getting them in and out easier as it is quite a busy road. All I have done is make a square round the gate, only took 4 electric fence posts and some tape. I would definitely give her some hard feed as although there may be plenty of grass it doesn't have much good in it. My little scruffy ponies still have loads of hay and a small feed even though there is plenty of grass.
 
A bit of an update - have just taken my friend to see her and she feels that she doesn't look too bad. She has dropped a lot off her neck which is generally quite week anyway but is actually looking the same over the rest of her body.

I have just spoken to the field owners and they have agreed to put hay out everyday for her until the grass starts coming through. They have also said that if the others chase her away then she can go out with just 1/2 others to ensure she gets something. They are also happy for me to give her a feed in the field and will shut part of the field off to allow me to do this. One happy mummy!!!
 
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A bit of an update - have just taken my friend to see her and she feels that she doesn't look too bad. She has dropped a lot off her neck which is generally quite week anyway but is actually looking the same over the rest of her body.

I have just spoken to the field owners and they have agreed to put hay out everyday for her until the grass starts coming through. They have also said that if the others chase her away then she can go out with just 1/2 others to ensure she gets something. They are also happy for me to give her a feed in the field and will shut part of the field off to allow me to do this. One happy mummy!!!

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YAY! What nice people they are
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Hope you feel better now hon.
 


Chances are she just worried the weight off after the big changes that she has been through and will slowly regain the condition as she settles in.

Glad she is looking a bit better now but well worth removing that rug on a daily basis really in future. It is amazing what they can hide under a rug, tick bits getting sore, cuts, kicks etc which can go bad if left unnoticed. I feel bad if I don't remove my guys' rugs every evening just to readjust them and check them over. Might be worth seeing if field owner can give you a tie ring as well as a feeding pen so you can tie her up and give her a good once over every evening.

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Have to say the fit of the rug would be the least of my worries, without readjusting the rugs evryday at the least you will inevitably miss something which is going on underneath there be it weight loss of worse, injury. All of us should check our guys over daily whether rugged or not. Leaving a rug potentially covering wounds, swellings or weight loss for days on end is I'm afraid, asking for trouble.

I am sure that Halfpass has realised this and from her posts it is clear that she feels bad about it so I don't wish to go on about it as I mean her no offence but I am amazed at howmany of the replies have missed out on this significant issue.

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Glad you look to have found a solution to feeding her Halfpass. Have to agree re checking under rugs. My old pony once managed to gash her shoulder under her rug, without marking the rug at all! Could not imagine how she had done it, only possibility vet could think of was a branch had somehow got under the neck of the rug. She was in at night so her rugs changed, but if she had been left I would not have been aware of the wound until the blood had soaked through the rug.
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