young cob weight

[emaluvsmango]

Hi, I have a 3 year old 13h3 heavy weight irish cob, im really concerned about his weight and what I should be doing to combat this.

Firstly I would like opionions on how overweight he is any photos of horses with similar build in good condition would be greatly appreciated, as i have nothing to compare him to at the moment. I wasnt worried about his weight but the vet came to see the old cob and said both my lad and the welsh c he lives with need to loose weight, his actual words were ' what are you doing to yourself lad' which made feel like a terrible mum.

Here are some pics of him, taken about 1 week after the vet visit these were all taken within a two week period

The last two are the most recent and were both taken on the same day

before the vet visit bobby had 24/7 grazing which we monitor with electric fencing, giving them a little more when they have eaten everything up, he was also getting 4 days exercise a week which was just walks out of 30 mins with a little bit of troting.

Now we have reduced the amount of grass he is getting even more and giving them hay when they have eaten everything. He is being exercised every day, eiether free school, which im having lots of fun with or walked out for up to an hour, the vet said it would be a good idea to break him for exercise but im not doing this until next spring, when he will be just turning 4.

I just hope this is going to be enough, do you think two exercise sessions a day would be too much? 1 morn and 1 eve? He is a baby still so I dont want to over do it arhhh nightmare lol. Winter he will have 24/7 turnout with hay to eat and will only be coming in over night if the weather is terrible, no rugs and no extra foods, im hoping this is enough. Once he is being ridden next year will this make a big difference to his weight?

Thank you for reading, look forward to reading any advice , emma

 

[be positive]

He does look a little too round and this can lead to problems,as I am sure you are aware of.
You are doing well ,increased exercise,reduced grass ,however there does seem to be a lot of grass in his field .I would let them eat it right down before giving more and I mean eaten down
The other thing to try if you can is the track or paddock paradise system ,if you search on the forum there is more about it. Basically you create a well grazed circuit around the edge of the field so you make them move more to get to the food.I hope that makes sense.
Try to weigh him ,with a tape ,to monitor how he is doing and aim for gradual reduction that will stay off.
Winter plan sounds good ,no rug, but remember he will grow a heavy coat which may hide his true weight.
Good luck you are doing well and not a terrible mum, these types just live on fresh air and it is easy to let the weight go on,but you are now doing something about it.

 

[tinap]

Hope this works (am on phone!)

http://m1092.photobucket.com/albumv...XbS+mf7/nmWUGLiXDoFRiQkEzoOaKEGQO2nxjlhQHgF4=

This is our 13.3hh Irish cob. Got weighed at 379kg & fat scored a 7 last week, so is still on the diet - soaked hay on a night (in) & out with muzzle in day, ridden 6 days a week.
Good luck - you will feel mean putting them on diets but its for a good reason xx

 

[tinap]

Just found one without tack http://m1092.photobucket.com/albumv...XbS+mf7/nmWUGLiXDoFRiQkEzoOaKEGQO2nxjlhQHgF4=
Bare in mind he is 12yrs & is in full work - still overweight though!!