Overweight gelding?

Question

My 17 yr old gelding is pretty overweight. He is fed a flake of coastal and alfalfa 2x a day. I don't ride him very often, prbably once every 2 weeks, but i'm going to start riding him much more often. How many pounds overweight does he look? What should i do to get him to loose weight? Here is some pics of him from a while ago, he is abit fatter now.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/Kdooo/100_0513.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/Kdooo/100_0515.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/Kdooo/100_0527.jpg

Answer 1

i think he may be as much as 50 lbs over what would be considered athletic condition...it's hard to say, because when you work him, fat weight will be replaced with muscle weight.  He isn't that fat...but he's got a pretty good crest and a bit of a belly.  He might do better without the hay and just a mineral/vitamin supplement and good pasture.  However, if you will be working him every day, he may still need the hay.

Answer 2

lunging will burild muscle

and he will burn some of his fat.

trail rides are good too.

just riding him 15-30

minutes everyday

walking trotting and cantering will drop

weight like tht *snap*

Answer 3

May want to replace a bit of the alfalfa with a little more coastal (less energy dense but still supplies the roughage). He doesn't look too bad, his neck's not too crested on top, he just has a little bit of a grass belly. With regular riding, a lot of the fat should start trimming off and replacing with muscle. I'd say he does'nt look over 50+ pounds overweight. If you work him longer and slower, with sporadic high energy outputs (lots of trotting/walking, random lopes/sprints) that will help burn off the fat and build the muscle. Make sure your coastal is decent quality though, to make sure he's getting the protein he'll need. Have fun!

Answer 4

Are you sure he isn't pregnant? lol i'm only kidding.

I would not adjust his diet too much especially if you are going to start riding him more often. He will get in shape with you riding him. I don't know where you live but here in Cali we aqre big on Bermuda Grass Hay because it is low in calories and takes them a little longer to eat.

If you are really that worried about it you could feed him 1/2 Alf 1/2 Grass 2x's a day or Grass in the AM and Alfalfa in the PM. You want to feed Grass in the AM so it gives them something to do during the day.

Answer 5

What grain/concentrate does he get and how much? I dont think he is that bad. I would start working him slowly and see how he goes. Some drop weight really fast with just work while others need to be put on a diet.

Answer 6

If he's on pasture does he really need any hay ?

Mine are out 24/7 no hay and still fat.

Don't ride him hard - bring him into work gently and lunge him when you can't ride.

Answer 7

He's Not That Bad,, But Like Just Keep Riding Him More And The Weight Should Come Off, But Being A 17 Year Old The Weight Is Bad For Him To Be Packing,, Also If You Cant Ride Just Lunge Him For A While

Answer 8

I would take him off the alfalfa.  you didn't mention grain/feed but I wouldn't give him any grain.  If he has turn out and good pasture and good grass hay, he doesn't need anything other food sources.  Just add a little exercise.  I don't think he looks that fat.  Bring up his exercise level slowly because he is not in good condition.  At his age, I would just do some casual riding and not ask him to do extreme movements.   If you can spend time with him, make it quality time - riding.  I would never lunge my horse.  The horse hates it and done for an extended time, those circles are very hard on the horse's limbs, not to mention that is is beyond boring for the horse.  He looks happy in his picture.  Just make some small adjustments to his life and schedule and enjoy.

Answer 9

TROT TROT TROT

dont overjump him, he gonna break his leg

Answer 10

Well he is 17 so dont work him to hard ( my mom had a horse she rode into its late 20s) try lunging to lose to weight! Good luck!!