Putting horse on a diet in winter

[LittleRibbie]

Background: rescued 3yrs.ago vet thought about 120 lbs. underweight about 39 "...pastured w/unbroke 2 mustangs and 1 yrlg. arabian stud......very very low in pecking order and very afraid of human and any horse contact.

Fast forward: Still low horse in pecking order although hes the biggest one here, gained all weight, plus some ( in about 2 yrs. time ) This horse will not stop eatting and I have to admit that for the first several mos. I literally would sit out in the pasture and feed him carrot pieces, feed and mints....just about everytime he would come up to me he would get something special. I just wanted him to feel comfortable and safe. He basically ate all his meals in my lap or me standing right next to him. I know that it was probabbly the wrong thing to do and I had contributed some to his weight problem. To his credit he isnt a nipper, biter or is he pushy.....just always hungry.

I put lots of hay piles around the pasture ( hardly any grass out there now ) and the others eat and usually go lay in the sun after eatting for a bit then return later to eat. NOT him he will eat and eat and eat.This is hay that was meant for ALL to SHARE!!I feed all my horses the same, about 1 1/4 Strategy 2x's a day and what amounts to about 2 cups soaked warm BP, usually given mid day. They do get stalled when eatting their grain and BP so I know no one is stealing from the others. Right now b/c of weather they are eatting almost a full bale ( 50# ) of Orchard a day. He is one that hates the stall and is my only horse that no matter what..I do not lock him in ever...he gets let out immediatly after eatting.

He's been checked and has no medical problems except the vet does agree he should loose a little weight ( that was 6 mos. ago ) and he still has not lost...maybe even gained. He's wormed, Sand Clear ...all that UTD

Can someone recommend a good lo cal diet for him. I hate to cut out beet pulp b/c thats the only warm thing he has right now. Are there other options I should look in to ( maybe something Lo cal that I can serve warm ? ) I hate to just 1/2 all his feed b/c then he'll be standing around watching the others and I'll feel bad.I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to grazing muzzles...IMO they just seem mean....but that could be just silly too. I truly feel like I may be killing this poor guy w/kindness trying to make up for his past.

Oh, this time of yr. my schedule leaves me little time to lunge or drive him....and when I do have time he gets so sweaty that Im afraid he's going to catch a cold b/c his fur is so heavy. I do lunge and drive him in the summer.

If someone could giving me some other feeding options I would be greatful and S'Mores, I hope will have a healthier life!!

Thanks

heidi

 

[Sandee]

I'm no expert but I will comment on the winter dieting since I too started out (first mini) with an overweight mini in the fall. I was told he needed to drop at least 50 lbs to be healthy. That first winter he got such a little bit of hay and since my big horse didn't get packaged feed neither did he. No being used to minis I didn't check in/under the coat for his ribs and he lost more than he should have over winter. We realized in spring what had happened and adjusted his feed but he was also more lively and willingly to move with some of that weight off.

Now, as to you guy. You don't say just how old he is but I'm guessing that this "eat everything in sight" attitude may be a learned habit left over from when he was scrawny and picked on. He may never "outgrow" this. For his own good you should cut down (slowly) on his Strategy (read the package as I don't feed this) but I'm sure it's too much. If you can you might want to get something lower in calories for him. My personal choice is Purina Nature Essentials 12 for the older horse. It has fewer calories and the minis need very little of it to fulfill their vitamins for the day. (A show or "working" horse will burn more)

Also cut down to maybe 1 cup (dry measurment) beet pulp. Most beet pulp has lots of molasses which is again more calories that minis don't need unless they are being useful. If you want to get rid of the molasses you can soak it; drain the water off; rinse and add plain warm water if you're using this to hydrate them.

Believe me my 21 year old gelding, the one I started with, can gain on practically air because he doesn't have to do any exercise. Sort of like me! LOL

There are discussions on here about how to figure the weight of your horse by measuring them and doing the math. Then I believe that 1 1/2 to 2% of their ideal bodyweight is what they should be eating. In other words I don't give free choice hay but then that's another disscussion.

It's sounds like you care and have done a good job by rescuing him but yes, over feeding is easy to do to minis. It gives meaning to the phrase "killing them with kindness".

 

[Ellen]

I know how hard it is to manage weight in the winter. IMO, I would lose the beat pulp and wet his grain. Their is a wonderful LS grain made by Purina, called, LS. I also love Kalambachs version, which is I believe Ultra Fiber, and ADM makes a similar product.

All these products are wonderful for our chubby babies. And hay is so important. He has to have it, so The best to cut would be the beat pulp. And maybe the only 1c grain.

I am in no means an expert, these are just somethings I have had work for me. You should just go little by little and see how he does.

 

[LittleRibbie]

Sandee, thank you for your comments. Im not sure of his age we believe he was about 6 when I got him ( vet said teeth were in poor condition and it was difficult to tell ) so Im assuming he's about 9 now. And I hate to say this but in the winter he barly gets any forced exercise...only what he gets walking around and playing w/the others. I do soak his beet pulp and its less than a cup when its dry but does expand to almost 2 cups. BUT I Dont rinse it....I guess I should start w/that perhaps and give him even a little less? And make it a loose..not "packed in" cup. I will check into the feed you recommended. Not wanting to feed a particular horse something different is me, perhaps being to lazy too. I must admit its just been easier to feed everyone the same thing and the others seem to be doing well w/Strategy. But I am willing to get off my tush and feed whats best for him and not me. I would love to be able to say its his coat that just makes him look fatter...it isnt!! He's a chunky monkey no ?'bout it!! As far as free grazing I do understand different opinions and thoughts but I wouldnt say mine are always free choice. They are on sandy soil even w/what looks like grass...it really isnt...its sand!! I just dont want them to be nibbling the sand looking for whats left of the grass and end up w/sand guts so I do like to leave them w/something to eat.....but often its gone before I get home to feed dinner so I know there is probablly a couple hrs. of them just standing around w/nothing to do. May I ask your opinion on grazing muzzels? do they work for hay or would that be a bad idea? Thanks

 

[Sandee]

May I ask your opinion on grazing muzzels? do they work for hay or would that be a bad idea? Thanks

Hopefully someone that uses them will make a comment. I don't use them as I find it easier to just put them on a dry lot. I bought the muzzles to put on my horses when we first started showing and I was concerned they'd eat the bedding - they don't. The muzzles take a while for them to get used to and I think, I'm the one that couldn't put up with the frustration (watching them made me a little nuts). I don't think they will work well with hay but maybe they do. So hope someone else comes on to tell you.

 

[LittleRibbie]

Ellen, do you recommend those feeds for older horses too or just your babies? Never really thought about wetting his grain..dont know why. I guess I could do just that and divide only his grain up in 3 meals so at least he's getting something to eat while the others are having beet pulp. If I were to feed the others and not him....oh gosh I dont want to even think about it!!!

Im no expert either but when I look at him I dont scream HAY BELLY....I think i have seen enough of those....he generally looks big all over.....although there are no neck fat pockets or cresty neck. But he is more than just the "draft horse" looking mini.

Thanks for your suggestions....I have lots of labels to read

anyone else have thoughts on the feeds Sandee or Ellen suggested

heidi

 

[Miniv]

Where is your fellow? Is he being kept in New England or Florida? That may make a difference.

Have you done the actual "touch test" to check his weight?

We live in the Northwest, so making even an "obese" horse go on a diet during the winter isn't a wise thing, IMO. Instead, we have kept an "obese" horse on its daily intake - the same as if it was warmer weather. (Normally we double the hay amount during winter.) And once a week we did our "touch test"...... Constantly checking is important.

I also do agree with the comments regarding beet pulp. It probably isn't necessary.......unless you are using it to keep him warm.

 

[maplegum]

I will respond to your question regarding grazing muzzles.

I used one on Bailey last spring as he had put on so much weight. I hated the idea of letting his 'trimmer' sister into the grazing field while leaving him locked in the dry lot. The grazing muzzle worked wonders. It allowed him to pick at only small amounts of grass and still be out with his sister. He lost a ton of weight and looked great.

Here is a before and after shot .

And a pic of him in his grazing muzzle.

The thing is that he hated it.

When ever I would bring it out, he would lower his little head and look at me with those big brown eyes. It would break my heart! But- I stuck with it as I knew that wearing his grazing muzzle was far less 'cruel' than having him so overweight.

This spring/summer I managed his weight before he got too big by bring both horses into the dry lot overnight, soaking their hay and limiting their grazing time in the field. That routine worked for me.

As far as the beet pulp goes, I would stop feeding it. He really doesn't need it. Maybe consider some of the lower calorie feeds mixed with some carrot pieces.

 

[Marty]

This reminds me of the time I was a kid who knew it all and first moved out of my parent's house and went out on my own, lost my job fast and went broke and starved for the better part of the year. Everyone thought I was a drug junky I looked that bad. Went back home skin and bones and began eating mother's food again........and then I forgot to stop! A couple months later I was going to a beach party and lets just say my itty bitty bikini shrunk to obscene proportions. This gave new meaning to the word "love handles" and I think I invented a new kind of saddle bag attached to my body. But I still craved food! I was a food junky! What worked was when I got the job of my dreams, rode my horse daily, and got back in college and was so busy I had no time on my hands to worry about sitting around gorging myself on food. Should I be telling this to Dr. Phil?

I think this boy needs a job and something to keep his mind focused on something besides food. Put him back in the round pen or hitch him up or something as often as possible. He still needs to graze so I'd go with one of those lesser calorie foods or he's a perfect candidate for ration balancer with no other food included.

 

[LittleRibbie]

I love your story Marty, thanks for the giggle!

Im in Fla. now. Miniv, I do sort of the touch feel test...I should have been doing it all along...all I feel is meat on them there bones and no bones LOL. I didnt give him any BP today at lunch and only gave 1/2 his normal AM Strategy and the other 1/2 I gave for his mid day snack. Im going to feed store on Wed. and will start on a lower cal feed for him or perhaps ration balancer.

Baily looks terrific...what a difference. I totally understand how difficult it would be to watch him wearing his muzzle but the proof is in the pudding!! You did the right thing!! He looks wonderful. Thank you for showing the side by side photos!!

Im off to read alot more and try to understand the theory behind feeding ration balancers. Thank you again All for all your ideas

Heidi

 

[Ellen]

Honestly, if he is just a stock draft style, he may not need a low starch diet. I will say what I like the most about is that the protien is there, but not all the starch and junk they don't need. But a ration balancer will do the same thing. Sometimes it si hard to give advice on the forum, when sometimes it is hard to know the full picture. Don't you think. I will say Triple Crown Essential K is great and, easy on the pocket book. But is comparable to Progressive.

Good Luck.