Starvation paddock how big?

[xTrooperx]

After getting our lil Shetland x back from loan she came back very obese, belly near knees thick crest. To say I was shocked was a understatement she was only gone a year... Anyway I've managed to get rid of some fat and crest is soft and little smaller.
But I'm about to move them to the spring/summer paddock ov I can't just throw her in like I normally do, I will section bit off, but how small a sarvation paddock can u get away with? As bigger the section more grass...
My other option is keep her at the winter paddock but with limited turnout in field as ment to be recovering and she would have no company expect sheep & us, ( winter paddock at home)...
Any idea....

 

[SCMSL]

Why not just keeping a muzzle on him?

It would be my first choice. This way he'd be moving around trying to eat some grass but the consumption would be greatly slowed down.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

For a mini Shetland no more than 1/4 acre, for other ponies maybe half max. Muzzling ok but mine takes it off or makes her face bleed really badly with it on - so we ended up doing the paddock. Better not sharing with sheep all year round as their dung fertilises the grass so in spring it could be quite rich, tho they are useful to get the starvation paddock bare as bare to start off with.

 

[xTrooperx]

I did think about a muzzle but was worried about the sweating on hotter days and being unable to part take in mutual grooming with the other/itching, and the thought of her trying to get it off causing injury while no one is around, as summer paddock has natural shelter with brushes and trees which she could rub against.
Suppose only one way to find out and try.