Update as promised re: fattest pony in the world

Munchkin

Munchkin

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The original thread, for those who have no idea what I'm talking about: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=373496

Went today to pick up the keys and was told the pony has laminitis again, so "we're only giving him a token amount of feed so he doesn't feel left out when the TB is being fed." Token amount of feed was a large, round scoop of happy hoof, twice a day! He's also on grass and hay!

I just said look... I wouldn't give him that. Mine's in work and he only gets *this* much (picking up a little handful of it to show her) once a day just so he feels he has a reason to come in, more than anything!

She looked a bit embarrassed and removed half the feed from the bucket. Just said, "do what you think, then."

I felt awful because she reacted like I'd upset her a bit, but I was as nice as possible! And then, just to remove the atmosphere, the pony kicked the TB and cut her leg open right in front of us. So we were a little distracted in dealing with that.

I'm hoping to deal with his weight a little over the next three weeks and then on her return encourage her to follow what I've been doing to maintain the weight loss. They've only ever had the TB and to be honest I think that's left them with a distorted view of what most horses need to eat! (She's 30, has 1 scoop chop, 1.5 sugarbeet and 3 scoops of mix twice a day and only just maintains her weight!)

Anyway, wish me luck...
 
oooh, the very best of luck to you. My friend just picked up a sec c to look after and convalesce - lami attack - pony is about 13hh and weighs 600kg. Looks like it belongs at Seaworld... horrible!
 
Sounds like my two, old TB and fat section C. TB is also clingy but is fine with the welsh inthe field with him eventhough he is 'sectioned off' in the fat pony paddock. God only knows what the welsh would look like if he was allowed access to the larger amount of field. :eek:

Mine come in at night and welsh now gets either one section of hay, or the TB leftover hay from the night before. Depending on how much is left over. And a splat of simple systems feed. The real trick is restrciting the grazing which I do with electric fencing.
 
Straw would not make the pony fat, I have mine on soaked hay and straw mixed in to bulk him up and keep his gut going and he is losing weight, slowly but surely. If he is that fat and has lami God help him as he could get beyond the point of return soon. Good on you for trying to get the owner to realise what she is doing wrong. I hope she learns from you. Most cruelty is not intended but thro ignorance.
 
I know. I really think he needs a grazing muzzle (as he's in the grassy field with the TB) however the VET (who in my mind has a larger responsibility here than I do!) has not suggested any dramatic action be taken, so they haven't taken any. It was also the vet who said the straw had tipped him over the edge.

They're not "horsey" people per se, they were just landed with their daughter's horse when she lost interest, so they have no horsey friends and no experience with this sort of problem, or indeed with this sort of pony.
 
good luck!

it is a really tricky situation especially as there is obviously so much grass there.

Just one thing that hasn't been sugested already is that you could try soaking the hay he gets so it doesn't have as much sugar in it... preferably overnight / day and somewhere shady so that it doesn't start to ferment in the heat.

You could always say that he seemed to get 'a bit footy' while she was away so you had to start doing it and 'borrow' a grazing muzzle from a friend?

is there ANY way you could keep pony off the grass but still in sight of the other one? either keep the pony on the yard so it just has the edges to much on or keep pony in and allow TB to wander about? just a thought...
 
CBFan said:
good luck!

it is a really tricky situation especially as there is obviously so much grass there.

Just one thing that hasn't been sugested already is that you could try soaking the hay he gets so it doesn't have as much sugar in it... preferably overnight / day and somewhere shady so that it doesn't start to ferment in the heat.

You could always say that he seemed to get 'a bit footy' while she was away so you had to start doing it and 'borrow' a grazing muzzle from a friend?

is there ANY way you could keep pony off the grass but still in sight of the other one? either keep the pony on the yard so it just has the edges to much on or keep pony in and allow TB to wander about? just a thought...
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I will most definitely be soaking his hay :)

The stables are in the field, unfortunately - there is no yard. She's really stressy (the TB) too - I have to keep him in the stable while she eats her breakfast otherwise she will box walk and refuse to eat, despite being able to see him in the field.
 
Munchkin said:
I know. I really think he needs a grazing muzzle (as he's in the grassy field with the TB) however the VET (who in my mind has a larger responsibility here than I do!) has not suggested any dramatic action be taken, so they haven't taken any. It was also the vet who said the straw had tipped him over the edge.

They're not "horsey" people per se, they were just landed with their daughter's horse when she lost interest, so they have no horsey friends and no experience with this sort of problem, or indeed with this sort of pony.
Click to expand...

What a useless Vet if he didn't suggest a drastic dietry change, Yes he does have a responsibility to help the animal he was obviously called out to treat. A grazing muzzle would be a good idea if fitted properly. It was my Vet that suggested adding straw (good quality straw, the golden sort not dusty) to a small amount of soaked hay (12hrs) Giving a small amount or bran (something I would normally never feed) with a small handfull of Alfa lite, a little garlic and some multi vitamin and minerals will give the pony all it needs and it will think it is getting a feed while the other horse gets it feeds. After all it is this ponies life that is at stake. Again good on you for trying to help this pony and I hope all goes well.
 
oh thats a shame! Sounds like a Muzzle really is the pony's only option... I have a cob sized shires one going spare if you wanted it but I would try and get permission from owner first... before too long pony isn't going to be alive to keep stressy TB company much longer!
 
Just to give you an idea of what I'm dealing with:

fatboy-1.jpg
 
Jesus on a bike that pony is huge!!! :eek:



No advice to add that hasn't already been given but want to wish you good luck with the pony and getting some weight off it.
 
jeez!

and all that grass! poor pony :(

have they left you the contact details for the vet....?

I would be possibly speaking to said vet while they are away.... tell the vet what you are suggesting (which seems obvious to us but can understand non horseys not being that clear) and tell vet you dont think the owners understand the gravity of the situation and would said vet be happy to be on side.

tbh I cannot believe that the vet hasn't dealt with this as it should have been. I know one from my practice rather laid into an arab (with lami history) owner's last summer. But the vet was right.... changes were made and I have to say said arab actually looks ok this year.

good luck.
 
Just a small update that wasn't deserving of another thread: The vet is coming out tomorrow (no callout fee!) to look at the mare's leg and to advise further on the pony, if there's anything more I can do. At least I can get the vet's support on what I've done so far. Talk about high maintenance neddies; mine's currently chucked out in a field causing me no bother whatsoever!
 
Besides a muzzle, what about buying a weight tape & condition scoring chart to give to the owner, & getting the vet to mark on the pony's ideal weight / condition? They at least then have some tools to help with things.

I think there is realistically little you can do in 3 weeks. Anything you do achieve will just be reversed when she gets back, unless you can hammer home to this owner that this pony is grossly, horribly overweight. As tactfully as you can, of course, but the owner really, really needs to understand. Poor pony :(

Wish you the best of luck with it...
 
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