Supplement for grass belly

[J_sarahd]

As Nova has been allowed back out onto her normal field, she has developed a bit of a grass belly which is making her pretty girthy when tacking up. Her girth is not as easy to do up at all so I can understand her discomfort! She is fine once she has it on and I do all my other bits and then tighten it.

She gets given a small fibre feed and hay when she comes in to be ridden and I usually leave her 30 mins.

Looking equishure but it’s obviously quite expensive!

Any other supplement recommendations as it’s just a minefield?

 

[tda]

I didn't think there was anything that would help with a grass belly part from less food and more exercise.
I have a tubby mare and the size of her belly does not make her girthy. I'd look for another reason for her discomfort

 

[Lois Lame]

I also don't think the grass belly has anything to do with the discomfort.

(Also, I'm a little unsure why the horse is given more fibre when she's been at grass.)

 

[Dave's Mam]

I find a grass belly usually dissipates after an hour or so off grass & a bit of a fart & deflate!

 

[BMA2]

Can you bring her in to deflate for a couple of hours

 

[J_sarahd]

I’ll add that this horse has had everything and the kitchen sink thrown at her in the past 7 months, vet investigation wise. She was scoped clear recently and has been on aloe vera juice in the last few months during box rest with quick fix for any super stressful moments.

She is fed fibre before riding as that’s what I’ve always been told especially as she is ulcer-prone.

ETA: she can’t have more exercise as she is on a strict rehab programme and she’s not actually fat. She just comes in like she’s had a 3 course meal in the afternoon but in the morning she looks how she should.

 

[shortstuff99]

I use colikare on my mare who gets really gassy from grass. Really seems to help.

 

[GreyDot]

I use fennel seeds and it really helps with gassy bloat / grasss belly. I get them from https://www.buywholefoodsonline.co.uk

 

[Roxylola]

I probably wouldn't get hugely hung up about feeding before work. If you're working her from the field she's got grass in her stomach - the idea of the feed is an acid buffer.
Either way is a slightly longer girth and option? Basically she's objecting to being squished in by the sounds of it as she's a bit bloated, so just something easier to do up might help. Also could you do a bit of a brisk in hand march for 5 minutes before tacking up? Might help things move

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

If she is on good grazing I would try something like gut sponge I use it for mine when the grass flushes as Louis can get a bit gut sensitive he also get a bit girthy.

I've found doing it up so loose so it hardly touches then I leave him for a bit then up a hole and just do it really slowly, then his absolutely fine to have it tightened.

 

[J_sarahd]

I probably wouldn't get hugely hung up about feeding before work. If you're working her from the field she's got grass in her stomach - the idea of the feed is an acid buffer.
Either way is a slightly longer girth and option? Basically she's objecting to being squished in by the sounds of it as she's a bit bloated, so just something easier to do up might help. Also could you do a bit of a brisk in hand march for 5 minutes before tacking up? Might help things move

Yeah I can try a longer girth, but annoyingly when she’s had the saddle on for a few minutes it goes up 3 holes (no objection) and then when I’m on, an extra hole! I’ll definitely try an in-hand walk before tacking up

 

[J_sarahd]

If she is on good grazing I would try something like gut sponge I use it for mine when the grass flushes as Louis can get a bit gut sensitive he also get a bit girthy.

I've found doing it up so loose so it hardly touches then I leave him for a bit then up a hole and just do it really slowly, then his absolutely fine to have it tightened.

She’s on cattle grazing so yep, good grazing!! Thank you. I looked at protexin but the amount of gut supplements they have confuses me ngl.

Normally, one hole on either side is loose for her, but the past few days, it only just meets up to the end of the girth strap with no added force. So I don’t blame her for being uncomfortable. I always do it one hole at a time each side and she’s fine with that it’s just the initial buckling

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

She’s on cattle grazing so yep, good grazing!! Thank you. I looked at protexin but the amount of gut supplements they have confuses me ngl.

Normally, one hole on either side is loose for her, but the past few days, it only just meets up to the end of the girth strap with no added force. So I don’t blame her for being uncomfortable. I always do it one hole at a time each side and she’s fine with that it’s just the initial buckling

Maybe use a slightly bigger girth for now or what I used to do is start with the long one on one buckle then add the shorter one once they breath in.

 

[J_sarahd]

Maybe use a slightly bigger girth for now or what I used to do is start with the long one on one buckle then add the shorter one once they breath in.

That’s a good idea. I’ll see if I can borrow a longer one, thank you

 

[HopOnTrot]

Girth extenders are cheap and you can take it off as you slowly do the girth up:

Shires Velociti GARA Elasticated Girth Extension

Designed with double layer elastic inserts, the Shires Velociti GARA Elasticated Girth Extension helps to alleviate pressure, and reduce the risk of pinching whilst your horse works. Key Features: Double layer elastic inserts Designed to help alleviate pressure Attaches to your standard girth...

gsequestrian.co.uk