Worried my horse isn't going to lose enough weight over winter

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CobsGalore

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I'm really worried that my horse isn't going to lose enough weight over winter.

He is currently unrugged with a little clip, getting no hard feed and no hay.

There is plenty of grass in the field but it isn't lush.

The only thing that really got the weight off him earlier this year was his muzzle, although now I can't keep it on him for longer than 10 minutes.

I sectioned off a bit of the field for him in October, but he was by himself (could see and touch other horses) and became anxious and difficult to handle going to and from his sectioned bit.

He gets exercised almost every day and we go for long hacks at the weekend.

What else can I try and do to help shift the pounds? Feel like I'm fighting a losing battle here :(
 
Just how much weight does he need to lose? If he's getting no feed or hay and the grass isn't great, he should lose a fair bit as winter sets in properly (it's been wet and miserable so far, but not cold and the grass is still ok round here).

Other than that, increase his work if you can, or maximise the energy he puts into the work he is currently doing. If he's working hard, he could be dripping in sweat in half an hour...


btw, my 2 y/old highland gets straw and very very little low quality grass, and is still holding his weight well. Some horses just do ;)
 
Test for cushings/IR as he sounds metabolically challenged. Being deficient in minerals can cause fat retention so mineral analysis might be the way to go.

Talk to ur vet though as he ought to be dropping a bit by now
 
Don't know what's going on atm with grass. I've had to give up feeding haylage to mine as even my foals look fat. It doesn't look like there is any grass and fields wet but mine are becoming an embarrasment. I'm presuming that if I toughen up then mine will start to look more reasonable soon. Ditto the minerals though, You need non sugary licks in field
 
I'd say he is is a 4 condition wise.

You're right, it is still very warm and there is still too much grass for him. I just don't know how I can restrict him without stressing him out?
 
try a different muzzle type or plot some devious adjustment to prevent him getting it off if you know how he does it?

or see if you can get him company in his penned off section with another pony who needs weightwatchers?
 
My boy is the same...he is unrugged, on a well eaten paddock and only gets a smidge of feed to get his danilon in him. I moved his fence to give him more grass about 2 weeks ago and a few days later when I was poo picking he trotted towards me and he looked pregnant. He is getting more out of the grass than this time last year. I am riding as much as I can, with no facilities I am squeezing a quick hack in at 7am before work when I can but it is hard. Sorry not much help....just wanted to let you know you are not alone!
 
try a different muzzle type or plot some devious adjustment to prevent him getting it off if you know how he does it?
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I tried this and the muzzle broke in a way it's not supposed to. I would be worried he hurt himself trying to get it off.

BentleyBelly said:
Sorry not much help....just wanted to let you know you are not alone!
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Thank you, that's reassuring. It's hard work!
 
Give him a trace clip and leave him un rugged? increase his excercise ?

Dont give up yet you have all of December, January, February and at least a few weeks of March... just make sure you get that muzzle ready for when the new grass come through
 
CG, please don't worry - they say it's going to be a hard winter, and I'm sure the weight will come off during that. It's an ongoing struggle with cobs, and I'm lucky that I have a stable, and Shy is fab with his muzzle too.

I think it's easy to forget that natives are designed to bulk out over summer and then lose the weight over the winter, as much as we can control it to a certain extent. If the weight still isn't coming off tho,when it really gets cold - lets face it is's so damned mild atm - would it be worth a blood test (no idea, just a thought).

sm x
 
How old is he? I agree with Tiger tail, he may have some metabolic issues. My mare has just been put on metformin and the weight is dropping off her.
 
My Welsh D is unrugged and doing well even though he is strip grazed each day by a strict amount. He has not been eating up all his night time hay either, so I have cut that back too...not like him but I think he is just too warm in his winter woollies to be that hungry.
 
It's fairly early yet. I find that mine lose weight from jan - April. At this time mine have no grass and I limit their hay. They also aren't rugged - just lightweight if very wet.
 
My exmoor had this problem. I had to keep her in 24/7 and turn her out in the school for a couple of hours each day. I soaked her hay for 24hrs and double netted it. She had no hard feed and still she would not lose weight.
It was at this point I decided to back her (she was rising 4) and as soon as I started riding her the weight dropped off her.

I would suggest really pushing her when riding so she is sweating when you finish.
 
Thank you all for the positive comments :) I know we have a few months of winter left I'm just so worried come spring that he's just going to get even bigger if I don't make some drastic changes!

He is only 5 so I am not worried about cushings, but may get bloods done if he doesn't drop over the winter.
 
The only answer is to ride the horse. Get him fit and the flab will turn to muscle.After amonths leg hardening up the pace- a horse should be able to be ridden 2-3 hrs no problem . Forget this'metabolically challenged' speak- its a bit like type 2 human diabetes- not a true illness- just sloth!! Fit horses are healthy horses
 
Increase how hard he works. I finally felt mine had got fit enough to do regular canter work a couple of months ago and after starving her for a year previously with little weight loss the little bit of harder work has made such a difference. She looks fantastic and feels fantastic! No more lazy slug cob.
 
my two are in "show Condition" the heavy cob being the fatter of the two. it is a worry but it is still quite mild most days and the grass is still growing. mine are out all night but come in for 6 hours daily and have 1 slice of hay [small bale each].
I dont think they are gaining at the moment which is good. I expect the weather to get much colder soon and that should sort everything out. Its natures way of laying down fat stores for harsh weather and usually mothernature is right.
I'm not worried yet, there's 3 months of winter to come at least.
 
cornbrodolly said:
The only answer is to ride the horse. Get him fit and the flab will turn to muscle.After amonths leg hardening up the pace- a horse should be able to be ridden 2-3 hrs no problem . Forget this'metabolically challenged' speak- its a bit like type 2 human diabetes- not a true illness- just sloth!! Fit horses are healthy horses
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Good advice.
 
Glad you're seeking advice OP, there is nothing I hate more than fat horses and owners thinking its fine. If it was the other way round (skinny horses) the owner would get lynched yet being overweight is so much more detrimental to health.

I really think you need to exercise him more, what about finding a sharer? I work with lots of cobs and in the summer we have 30 odd and not one is overweight because they are all worked hard. Going into winter they all look brilliant and some are even needing hard feed which were previously described as good doers.

Honestly nothing beats decent exercise.
 
cornbrodolly said:
The only answer is to ride the horse. Get him fit and the flab will turn to muscle.After amonths leg hardening up the pace- a horse should be able to be ridden 2-3 hrs no problem . Forget this'metabolically challenged' speak- its a bit like type 2 human diabetes- not a true illness- just sloth!! Fit horses are healthy horses
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Sorry disagree - type 2 diabetes is for people who eat too much and drink to much and dont excercise enough.
The horse does not choose to do this as it just thinks - food = fat for winter = wont starve = good life

where humans know, or should know better
 
It is super mild at the mo, my haffy is often sweating a bit just standing in her field when it is bright in the afternoon so dread to think what she'll be like when I ride her! She is an ok weight, fair bit of grass left and a small feed and has lost a tiny bit of weight since I got her (her sides are not bulging beyond her shoulders as much when I look face on!) but still can't feel her ribs! I wouldn't worry to much at this time of year :-)
 
Your horse like most is probably on the wrong type of grass. Rye grass is lush grass. It's why so many end up overweight and with laminitis. Rye is for cattle not for horses, so weight management is a challenge.

Anyway I would lunge its brilliant for getting weight off and you can do faster work, as well as riding more. I had a Clyde that was a good doer, but I kept him hunting fit as we had a flood light school so he was worked everyday.
 
The grass is still growing, and at the moment, I am not feeding any of mine, and they are clpped and living out, a mx of arabs and an anglo. They all look fab, but I am normally feedng by now, and am not having to yet. I wouldn't worry too much yet, keep up the good work, and maybe clip slightly more.
 
Kaylum said:
Your horse like most is probably on the wrong type of grass. Rye grass is lush grass. It's why so many end up overweight and with laminitis. Rye is for cattle not for horses, so weight management is a challenge.

Anyway I would lunge its brilliant for getting weight off and you can do faster work, as well as riding more. I had a Clyde that was a good doer, but I kept him hunting fit as we had a flood light school so he was worked everyday.
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mines on old mixed pasture. unfertilized. they are still fatties.
 
Thank you all for the advice, its reassuring to know that I probably shouldn't be worrying as much as I am (I'm a worrier!).

He is being exercised almost everyday already, but maybe I could lunge in the morning too to increase his workload?

As suggested by some, I think I will also make his clip a little bigger so he has to move around to keep warm.

I really hope this wet mild weather goes away soon!!
 
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