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At 17:02:35 on 10.02.10, Wildieclydex wrote: I wasn't too worried going into winter as our weather sucks, and a fat layer is a good thing. But now with winter almost over, I've been a bit worried. The farrier mentioned to the farm owners to watch her b/c she's probably going to founder. Then a few wks ago the vet was out for another reason and he said the same thing. 2 years ago when she was in perfect shape in summer she was 1395 lbs. Now she's almost 1500. She's a 9 year old clydesdale mustang cross 16.2. She's had the last year and a bit off due to an injury and a new baby (both me not her), but I am getting back into riding her for pleasure. Anyways I would like to know the best way to get her back into shape. The last thing I need is her foundering!!!!!!
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At 17:50:38 on 15.02.10, csherrenbrueck wrote: I've got a bit of a chubby girl myself, and the advice I was given was to feed her up to 25lbs of hay per day (low carb- I'm using hay baled for cows) with no grains or oats and to start her out slowly (just like a person)on an excercise program.
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At 18:00:24 on 15.02.10, Flicka wrote: Yes I've got a fat mare too who's had some time off and I'm about to start working!! I'm going to start ride and lead out on hacks hopefully if my other mare is amenable about it!! Then I'll start working with her free in the school and do a bit of lunging and long reining. Good point you make about taking it slowly because they will find it hard as they're carrying a few extra pounds- a bit like me after Christmas lol!!
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At 20:29:09 on 15.02.10, Wildieclydex wrote: we got a bit of a set back... She came in lame on Thursday! She's in a pen now without free choice hay, and hopefully by the end of this week she wont' be lame again and we'll be able to start going. I have been riding a little bit when the ground allows. It's been really icy and without an indoor it really hinders efforts. But spring hopefully is really here and at the very least I can find a spot to put her on the lunge line for 10minutes a day to start with...
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At 20:03:40 on 21.02.10, csherrenbrueck wrote: I'm hoping to build a round pen this spring so I can start the long reining and free lunging for my fat girl, I've also discovered (thanks to a friend) something called a grazing muzzle. I've decided to get one since it will help cut back her grazng by 25% and since she is free in pasture I'm hoping this will help.
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At 20:36:32 on 21.02.10, Wildieclydex wrote: I've heard good things about the grazing muzzles too, I know the tack store carries them, just not sure if they can get 1 in my beast's size.... I should ask!
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At 15:54:27 on 06.03.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote: Uphill work... Lots of it and try to trot uphill with flat walks inbetween. Also 30 mins of straight trotting a day, but make it interesting use serpentines and trotting poles. Try to turn out in a field with a steep hill. Also use a treat ball in the field to get her moving and not just standing still eating grass. Also a 16.2hh horse should be eating around 7.5kg of forage a day so weigh your hay. Also try feeding baileys lo-cal - one mug a day is all you need to feed - nothing else and the name says it all, lo calories. Try to ride in an outline too as this turns the food into muscle... not fat. Good luck.
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At 20:13:59 on 15.03.10, Em28 wrote: I would say do walking to begin with, if you can get out it's probably better than sticking on the lunge, just while she is getting used to the idea of working again! This will also not put as much pressure on the joints when introducing her back into work. After a few weeks, she should be able to do a bit more trotting etc. Hope she is better soon so you can crack on with it!
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At 22:11:11 on 15.03.10, farasi wrote: If she's been off a long time, 6 weeks road work in straight lines, or is it just a racing thing to bring your horse back in to work after a long break? You need to condition all her bones and joints again, and if she is a bit porky you certainly don't want to be putting any strain on anything, you can also do slow but active walks on a walker after a few weeks. You lob her round on the lunge after a short space of time and something with go pop at some stage. Also it's a great way to condition yourself and get confident again, you can build each other up together.
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At 02:24:48 on 16.03.10, Wildieclydex wrote: thanx everyone for you tips. After 8days confined the absess broke thru her coronet band. We have cut back her feed, and increased her exercise. I have been roundpenning, lunging, free lunging, and under saddle mostly walking with some trotting up and down hills atleast 3X/wk. Unfortunately yesterday she bucked me off, I had every intention of going to work her today but I can barely move. I am hoping tomorrow I'll be feeling less stiff, otherwise Wednesday we have the farrier coming in the morning and I will work her in the afternoon. She's about a 6.5-7 on the body conditioning scale. We aren't involved in anything other than pleasure, so we don't have a timeline. I just want her in good health!
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