Would you put this horse on a diet?

[KikiDee]

For background 30yo came out of last winter quite poor and took a while to gain condition back so I think I’ve over compensated a bit this year!

He’s definitely porky but ribs are easily felt and just visible when he reaches round with his neck. I’m struggling to tell what is fluff and what is fat! Definitely chubbier than I’d like him going on to spring grass but torn between cutting feeds down now or waiting until end of Jan and seeing where we’re at as January can often be the hardest month.

He lives out. Fed ad-lib hay though not a big hay eater. Gets 2 feeds a day of 1/2 scoop Cushcare and a heaped scoop of soaked Grass Nuts & Fibre Beet. Well rugged as he does feel the cold these days and gets stiff and grumpy so losing the rugs isn’t an option. Negative for Cushings.

 

[moosea]

Its so hard to tell with oldies, especially fluffy ones!

I think you are right to wait until after January.

But could you use the time to weight tape him every week to see if you are going up or down?
Might give you a better idea of what is actually happening with his weight, and if you keep a record of it you can compare next year?

 

[KikiDee]

Its so hard to tell with oldies, especially fluffy ones!

I think you are right to wait until after January.

But could you use the time to weight tape him every week to see if you are going up or down?
Might give you a better idea of what is actually happening with his weight, and if you keep a record of it you can compare next year?

Thank you weight taping is a great idea! I will start now so I can track through January and see if he’s actually dropping off.

Vet saw him a couple of weeks ago and was really happy with his condition but he does do much better on summer grass and will be moving onto my rested grazing in spring so I would prefer him going into summer a bit lean. He got quite cresty last summer!

 

[AdorableAlice]

January to March can be hard months for oldies. Be guided by your vet would be my thoughts.

 

[Cloball]

Our grass hasn't even knocked off yet. Jan to March is usually when I notice my native drops the extra summer inches I would panic about spring yet.

 

[SEL]

I'm looking at the forecast for next week and holding off clipping my fat hairy - it's going to be bitter and she'll need her hair & blubber. I'd see where you are in March

 

[SpeedyPony]

I wouldn't, he looks about right for this time of year and, if you reduce his feed and he drops more weight than you'd like, getting weight back on the oldies is an uphill struggle in the winter.

 

[KikiDee]

Thanks all I’ll carry on as we are and see where we’re at in 6-8 weeks. My vet has just made me a bit wary after giving me a few stern words about how cresty he got last summer I’m always pretty strict with the younger ones staying trim but the old boy gets a bit more leeway to be chubby and happy, but I don’t want to stray into risking any other issues by having him too fat. It’s a juggling act!

 

[HopOnTrot]

My two mature (22 & 25) natives look plump and are being strip grazed, I’ve hardly made a dent in my hay. I’m hoping they freeze some weight off soon

 

[Gloi]

I wouldn't at this time of year with a pony that old. They can lose it so easily if they get a loose tooth or similar. Wait till spring and if he is fat then think of watching his grass intake.