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allyj

allyj

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So a couple of my uni friends and I were discussing our ponies, when I said mine is a big of a handful recently due to the grass. My friend said that she's surprised he hasn't come down with laminitis yet as he's a bit of a hippo!
I brushed it off at the time, but I am a bit upset by this comment :( I'm the first to admit he's a bit of a porker, but he is a native breed, and he'd get fat on fresh air. I am managing his weight, he's strip grazed and I've been monitoring and recording his weight with a tape every week.
I guess I'm looking for some reassurance/advice or anything really... does my boy look like he's at high/severe risk of lami?

 
lovely pony but sorry - he is a bit of a chunk ;)
mind you if the one in the background is your friend she has little room to talk !
I should up the exercise / bring in over night / muzzle ?
 
oh bless you! He looks a gorgeous boy, but speaking as someone who let my boy get too fat last year and get laminitis, I think your boy is probably at risk based on my experience. We put Harry on soaked hay at night, out with a muzzle during the day, and he has been ok so far this year. Sorry to say and dont want to upset you but in your position I would recommend being cruel to be kind and seeing if you can get some weight off him. Good luck x
 
Don't want to be mean but if he was mine he would be at fat camp.
I would not be able to sleep for worrying .
 
Not the easiest photo to judge from but it does look like he is quite overweight and therefore at risk of laminitis. Do you know how to condition score?
 
I think he needs more work if poss and less grub.

I agree that's a lot of grass if that is what he is on now.

I can highly recommend a track system for keeping weight down if you are able to set one up?
 
No no you're not upsetting me at all! I just want to know! he's lost a lot of weight and lami is my biggest fear. he's never had it before and I think he's been through summers fatter than this. I'm just petrified as the grass we have is almost up to my knees in the two other paddocks (i'm 5ft1)

I part loan him, and don't really want to just whack a muzzle on without talking to owner, but don't know how to go about it without sounding like I'm taking over?
 
Yes he absolutely does....sorry but really really does.

Either muzzle or strip graze or find grazing that is literally bare, I thought the same as you, my pony was less fat by quite a way (and it was fatty related not cushings etc) and she got lami and I hadn't realised before that what restricted grazing really is, for her it means licking Velcro at max. That and a very strict diet have meant she is now waaaay slimmer and TBH it is nice to look at her now. She is a native type and I thought fat on fresh air...no, fat from being allowed to eat too much - by me :-((

Your friends comment is the best gift they could have given you, it is MUCH more upsetting when you realise your pony has lami and it is your fault (as I had to).....you never really forgive yourself.

Take action now...please!

Edited to add, do talk to the owner, if they forbid muzzling or other control then you have warned them at least, and I would be making it clear that unless you can manage the weight down using the means necessary, you cant be resposnsible if lami occurs.
 
I own a fell pony; they can literally live off fresh air! I wouldn't be able to turn out on grazing as rich as you seem to have without restriction. Mine's on a bare track with hay and is getting about two metres square of fresh grass daily. It's hard work keeping them slim, I've also been caught out and started restricting a bit late as the cold spring caught me out. Keep at it and I'm sure you can proudly show off your slimline pony soon. :)
 
attheponies said:
Hi Best people to ask are World Horse Welfare - they have videos on condition scoring and I'm sure would be only too happy to help with advice. Lovely pony btw x
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Thanks for the advice!


I actually condition scored him at the weekend, and I think he's a 4.

I'll talk to the owner this week about a muzzle, I just don't really know how to go about it?
 
Just say that you're worried about his weight gain and the health implications and that he needs further restriction and if she'd be happy to try a muzzle on him. If his owner doesn't wish to use one then there's not much you can do, but anyone who cares about their pony will do their best to keep them healthy, so fingers crossed!
 
If he is a 4 on a 5 point scale then he is definitely too fat. What work does he do at the moment, and can you increase the quantity/intensity?
 
He's sweet, but honestly, your friend has done you (and him) a massive favour by making you re-think your management. You need to take much stronger measures to control his weight - it really is detrimental to his health and wellbeing being the size he is.

Get him off the good grass as much as possible, as much work as you can, soaked hay or straw only in the stable, muzzle if you have to and monitor it day by day witha weight tape :)
 
A good friend is an honest one, and I am sorry but I also think he looks way too fat. Its not just lami, but stress on his joints and heart which also concern me. :)
 
ooo yes he's a porker! Sorry.
Send him to fat camp, mine may well be there soon... they're getting to about a 3.5 condition score wise so it is nearly time.
Lovely boy though! You're right to take notice and question his weight many people do not x
 
Megibo said:
ooo yes he's a porker! Sorry.
Send him to fat camp, mine may well be there soon... they're getting to about a 3.5 condition score wise so it is nearly time.
Lovely boy though! You're right to take notice and question his weight many people do not x
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Starting to feel like a horrible horsey person! I thought he was doing ok!
Makes me feel terrible, I genuinely thought he wasn't too bad. I know he's a porker, i'm the first to call him chubby. I feel like a terrible person! :(
 
Don't beat yourself up, you have learned in time.
A good and easy pointer I think with geldings is to look at their sheaths, it is a well used fat storage area and easy to see if it is being utilised.
 
tbf to you I suspect his owner has more say than you over his management? But def have a chat with her and say you are concerned :)
 
Yes. That's a fat pony I'm afraid to say. Good luck with the diet and exercise plan!
 
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