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Post by lorddaxter on Mar 31, 2015 22:35:06 GMT
Dax is fat, not only is he fat but hes flat backed now, no wither to talk of, he never used to be like this, when I got him he was grossly underweight and over the years has just ballooned:(
Of course as hes so shapely none of my saddles(2 english, 2 western)really fit good enough to make me feel ok about working him hard, last fall I was riding him a lot and for long periods of time but he never lost much if anything, last summer I also locked him in the small paddock 12 hours a day, if it helped I hardly noticed.
A grazing muzzle will not work for him.
I read that I should leave him in paddock all the time but with soaked hay in slow feeder nets as soaking takes the goodness out, so once the paddock has dried up a bit or before the spring grass comes through I will try doing this if I have enough hay left and feed him farriers formula so he is getting enough goodness for his feet!
I think Ill try lunging him over jumps, hes never shown much interest in jumping and would rather run around than go over so this could get interesting, I do plan on jumping him so I guess at least if he is confident on the lunge after a while it will help once I am on his back!
Anyone have any input on exercises to help him lose weight?
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Post by horselover4life on Apr 1, 2015 1:52:57 GMT
Does he have any metabolic issues?
Have you had him tested to be positive?
I know that some with say a thyroid condition can either lose weight easily and never gain an ounce or gain and be hardly eating anything...
So many possibilities....
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hugs
Junior Member
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Post by hugs on Apr 1, 2015 2:14:21 GMT
Just like the warnings for people going on reducing diets; get an okay from your doctor, or in this case, get an okay from your vet. I mean if you can't figure out why the over weight when it shouldn't be then you need to rule out a medical issue. Then I'd check to see if anyone by any chance is feeding Dax other than you. And I suppose feeding the highest fiber food available rather than higher protein, and like you say, making sure the nutrition is there.
Nothing really different than what you've probably already been thinking about. Good luck to you, it's an important thing you're doing for your horse's health and that is to your credit for sure!
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Post by lorddaxter on Apr 1, 2015 11:54:39 GMT
Does he have any metabolic issues?
Have you had him tested to be positive?
I know that some with say a thyroid condition can either lose weight easily and never gain an ounce or gain and be hardly eating anything...
So many possibilities.... Funny you should say that as I was wondering about it myself too, when I get the vet out this month for vaccs Ill get her to run some bloodworks too:) |
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Post by lorddaxter on Apr 1, 2015 11:56:48 GMT
Just like the warnings for people going on reducing diets; get an okay from your doctor, or in this case, get an okay from your vet. I mean if you can't figure out why the over weight when it shouldn't be then you need to rule out a medical issue. Then I'd check to see if anyone by any chance is feeding Dax other than you. And I suppose feeding the highest fiber food available rather than higher protein, and like you say, making sure the nutrition is there. Nothing really different than what you've probably already been thinking about. Good luck to you, it's an important thing you're doing for your horse's health and that is to your credit for sure! He doesnt get fed, just hay and farriers formula and no, they are somewhere that no one ever goes, most people dont even know I have horses! |
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Post by horselover4life on Apr 1, 2015 17:17:24 GMT
ld...been doing some reading.
I don't quite know how or what to think about this...
I read that horses on grass/pasture when removed completely will lose the "fat" look in a few days; a noticeable difference emerges.
Many write it is the water content in the pasture and a "bloating" you are witnessing....
Like I said...I don't know how to interpret that thought or comment.
Thought I would toss it your direction and maybe you do some investigating, make your own opinion and decision.
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Post by lorddaxter on May 5, 2015 12:20:37 GMT
So Dax has lost weight, not a huge amount but hes looking better, his bums much less wide, Ive had 3 people say so and the osteopath is here thursday, farrier today so be interesting to see if they notice, I have been riding him way more, grass is just starting to green up and they have luckily lost interest in hay as Ive only 2 square bales left so I guess its time to start locking him in the paddock alone all day, Ira can wander the big field alone, he never gets fat, Im pretty happy about the way Dax is looking, hopefuly he keeps trim!
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on May 5, 2015 13:32:47 GMT
Great news. And as you keep working him (especially over poles and jumps) he will continue to lose that extra fat and tone up to be a great looking pony (not that he isn't one now!).
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2015 17:32:26 GMT
Great news! Sounds like you are on the right track.
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Post by lorddaxter on May 7, 2015 20:26:35 GMT
Osteopath says he looks better too, he was out in his front left shoulder, not surprised, its always that one, she did a bit of work on his poll and neck, after she left he actually lowered his head for me to take the halter off, hes never done that before!......he got acupuncture too, back neck poll, more work than she has to normally to with him, she thinks its the saddle fit, I know its a bit narrow but not too bad, Ill check it again, maybe Ill have to switch saddles again till he loses weight and changes shape sigh:(
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hugs
Junior Member
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Post by hugs on May 10, 2015 18:13:08 GMT
So glad to read you and Dax are making progress on a different fronts, your hard work is paying off  |
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