weight issues,help

[asbo]

my little mare was on restricted grazing on her own but some others had to go in so the grazing has been extended & she has put on tons of weight

my 3 choices are i can turn her out in a dirt paddock with soaked hay, stable her with soaked hay or turn out in a well grazed grass paddock but i can not put hay in as the others will be in there.

if stabled she would be able to go in the dirt or grass for a few hours a day.

grazing muzzles not a option.

 

[Tempi]

well grazed paddock with others would be my option.

 

[asbo]

only problem is if they move the fencing as she will then have access to lush grass

 

[MagicMo]

Would it be possible to section off a small area for her within the restricted grazing paddock - away from where they will move the fencing. With well soaked hay if necesssary.

Hopefully your mare will still benefit from having other horses around her but not get to the lush grass.

This has worked for my shetland who needs even less food than my other fatty.

 

[asbo]

i think i might have to go down that road, only think is the restricted paddock is very small with 2 big horses, there is a little bit beside it that i might try to sort today for her

 

[MagicMelon]

Id say the well grazed paddock with others too. It's ok if they strip graze by moving it only a tiny bit everyday. But it really depends how much really!

I think you're better off sectioning off a small area which you think will maintain her all summer, and give hay if necessary. Mine are all on shoddy / minimal grazing but all get hay which keeps them the same weight all summer.