Hi all,

During the summer months i have a huge problem with keeping the weight off my two guys.

Storm a 12.1 Welsh b just has to look at grass and he gets fat! We usually section a paddock off for him although he gets quite unhappy being seperated from Star. He is exercised 5 out of 7 days.

Star a 14.3 Welsh D can be much the same although needs a little more grass than Storm. He is also exercised 5 out of 7 days.

What do I do??? I'm really worried about laminitis, although neither of them have ever had it the weight gain is not healthy. And yet the weight gain has started even though they are turned out in a paddock with very little grass and they don't get fed at all!!!

Just wondered if anyone out there had any ways of dealing with natives and weight issues and could offer any tips or advice. I would be very grateful.

Restricted grazing, so a minimum of 4 hours a day grazing, and feeding them hay if they need more fibre.

Why dont you try a grass muzzle? that would also mean storm wouldnt have to be seperated from star as you would restricting his grazing.

A couple of people at my yard put muzzles on and the bellys went right down, I have just invested in one for Star for when they move onto more grass because she is a bit of a porker too

Hi, I did try a grazing muzzle last year it did work for a while but I had to stop using it as he was getting sores round his nose from rubbing it trying to get it off. Still could have another try.

If limiting his grazing how must space is he required to have. Don't want it too small. Feel so sorry for him.

I think everybody has the problem with the sores on the face unfortunately! My plan is to use it during the day and take it off at night or vice versa, which ever I think will suit her better! That way her face will get a bit of a break!
Star is a bit of a flapper and to be totally honest a bit of a tart! lol I just know when I try it on her we will be having a bit of an arguemnt! Took me all last summer to finally get her used to her fly mask and we still have a bit of fuss now. She is a horse that knows how much of an advantage her height is (16.3hh to my 5ft2 ) The head goes up and I cannot reach unless I stand on something!! The girls at the yard find it highly amusing to watch I do always win these battles though so I am sure this time will be no different!!

All you can do is try to restrict the grazing if you are able to, split your paddocks with electric fencing..soak your hay as this will reduce the calories and nutrients, not affecting the horses intake so much..in the summer my boy is out at night, but comes in in the morning to a handful of chaff for breakfast (he thinks he has had something then!) and only a haynet of say 5-6lbs! to last 6-7 hours, he sleeps half the day..you have to be quite strict if weight is a problem!
Maz

Well for now he is in a restricted paddock of minimal grass. He is out on it night and day as i can't have him in at the moment due to annual repairs being done on the stables. He is given a small haynet of soacked hay and some fruit and veg daily. And of course he is out to be exercised, groomed etc.

My friend is really bugging me at this time, telling me I'm being cruel not letting him be out in the larger paddock with Star. However Storm is surprisingly not too bothered about being seperated and can groom Star over the fence. To be honest she should have a look at her own, it's a highland, hardly exercised, very overweight and still feeds it a winter sized feed daily. Why that horse doesn't have problems i don't know. Anyway, excuse my little outburst there, just flew out!

I attampeted the mask on Sunday, Turns out Star does not graze or drink with it on so unfortunately cant use it! I am having to put her on a diet, And she is TB! So can totally see where you are coming from with yours!
I have loads of comments telling me my horse is over weight and I need to do more, So far she is in strict 5 days a week work (selection of hacking, jumping, schooling and lunging) on a handful of chaff and mix with her supplements (was twice a day but have reduced it to once a day) And she is on well eaten grass so not on a lot at all! She is obviously just a good doer in the summer! She wasnt last year because of her still being in very bad condition but she is happy now so obviously making her keep her weight better.
What else more can I do exactly! People annoy me who make stupid comments because they feel that they know more than the owners and feel it is our fault our horses may gain wieght in the summer. These people 9 times out of 10 dont have a clue with miserable horses! So dont worry, just do what you think is best.

A friend suggested to me yesterday putting Star on a balancer, so she is getting all the nutrients etc she needs but not the calories! Maybe give this a go?

Great idea, will put balancer on the shopping list for tomorrow. Don't know why I didn't think of that, stupid me.

I didnt think of it either haha! Now I think about it, I think it probably should have slapped me in the face as soon as I realised I needed to do something!
Going to give it a bash over the next couple of weeks, Let me know how you get on and I will let you know how my Star does too