Horse weight loss tips?

Question

I've been told that my horse has put on alot of weight and should drop some of it. I ride pretty much every 2nd-3rd day, usually trails or just mucking about in the round yard. He is fed a performance pellet, lucern and has access to grass 24/7. He is a Quarter Horse.

Can anyone suggest activities I can do with him to make him lose weight, personally I don't think he needs much off. Please don't suggest lunging as he can't lunge. He also dosn't like being in the round yard for long periods of time doing the same thing. Any suggestions? Thanks!!

Answer 1

You may like the look of a thick horse, but if he is overweight, you run the risk of founder, and once the coffin bone rotates, that's forever.  

He needs to be at his optimum weight.  I think it's just as bad having a horse that is too heavy as keeping one too thin.

What's his body score?

The solution for weight loss in horses is the same as for people.  Take less in, burn more off.  As activity increases, so does caloric need, and likewise with a decrease of activity.  If you cannot up his excercise, you need to restrict his intake.  

A lower starch feed, and limiting grass access either by restricting turn out or using a grazing muzzle are a couple of ways you can do that.

Answer 2

The most effective way to control his intake is to purchase a grazing muzzle...it isn't as bad as it sounds.  It is one of the best, life saving and problem-solving things ever invented.  I have an easy keeper who, without it, wouldn't be able to have the freedom of 24/7 pasture access she enjoys.  I use the Best Friends muzzle, and you can google it to find out all about it.

It isn't worn all of the time....just for short periods.

Answer 3

if u are willing to feed him less maybe just give him hay. if he has access to good grass 24/7 he should be fine with it. even, if you have stables or a less grassy paddock you could put him in there for a couple hours a day just so he doesnt eat as much, haha my horses are greedy guts lol. yeah as for acvtivities, i would say keep riding as you are, maybe get some more cantering in as trotting is mainly for muscle and stamina and cantering usiully is tha gait which makes them lose the most weight. << i think thats right lol, sorry if im wrong.

good luck.

btw a fat horse is easier to lose weight than a skinny horse putting on wieght so consider your self lucky lol

Answer 4

Cut back on his grain to start. If your feeding him performance pellets and hes not getting worked hard everday that is where your biggest problem lies.

If he still has weight issues, try some trot exercises. Trotting is more difficult for a horse than any other gait (believe it or not). Go for a long trot around your feild. It may sound boring but while you are trotting him try some "gymnastics". Like take your feet out of the striups or try with no hands.

Answer 5

I think Maybe you should Just ride him more often and maybe just keep giving his normal food maybe he is getting thinner but you just don't know!

Answer 6

If you are only doing light riding, then he really won't need performance pellets!  Try looking for a feed that gives him all the vitamins he needs without giving him extra energy, or in his case- fat!  Also, reducing the meal size in general.

If he is on grass then he won't need a lot of hay- I'm not sure how much you give him and how big he is, but try a) reducing the amount and b) a different hay, like wheaten, or grass/meadow hay, just to keep up the fibre in his diet!

(For example, when my horse was paddocked and on light duties, he got 2 biscuits of wheaten hay a day, and that was mostly just to stop him neighing!  He is a 16.3hh TB).

Answer 7

A horse up my yard called Bambi has a simular problem to try and help we put her in a feild where the grass is limited but she still has enogh to give her all of her nutrients we also cut down her food but give her the same amount of hay but if you use hayleig i would suggest you stop using it for the time being but stick with wet hay we try and jump her as much as possible because she enjoys doing it and it will get her back to normal x

Answer 8

try feeding him less. i work at a horse boarding facility and one of the horses is on a diet, i think she only gets hay so that doesn't really help.

try talking with your vet about his food intake or riding him more/longer.