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Post by lorddaxter on Sept 17, 2014 15:30:45 GMT
So Dax is huge, fat, wide and huge, I'm having trouble getting and saddle to fit him or stay in position.
Anyone know of a sure fire way to get him in shape fairly fast?
Would lunging over small fences achieve much?
I know he can look good, his shape has changed so much over the years, I really need to limit his grass intake and ride him properly more, he used to have a decent wither and normal back but now he's as wide as he is long.
He is not lazy, he's very forward going, jogs more than walks, I ride him out at the moment in the flex panel but I'm constantly fixing it as it slides around, for about an hour to two, just walk, jog and trotting, he does get sweaty and even froths down his legs, I'm scared to push him for much longer as he's really not that fit, just stubborn and would keep going all day!
Any tips appreciated:)
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Post by diamondgirl on Sept 17, 2014 16:44:51 GMT
Sorry I don't have any tips, for you. I think he will loose part of his extra pounds, this winter, just to keep warm. I do know that Honey's diet counselor recommends he doesn't loose more than a pound or two a week. She says if he tried to loose faster than that, his body will start holding onto the fat, to protect him from starvation. I would be worried the same thing might be true for horses too. A fast weight loss might be worse for Dax, in the long run. Just a thought, but it might be even harder for him to loose weight right now, because the shorter days have already told his body to get ready for winter. Sorry, I'm no help at all.
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572 
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Post by Lipizzan on Sept 17, 2014 16:48:50 GMT
I have no problems with that, I have opposite problems keeping my horses filled up, because thy are so much on the move. I think the most important thing or tip is to be consistent, work him out every day, or make a schedule of his exercises and stick to it. He will learn even more about discipline and you will keep him up in shape. Start gradually, I think there is no fast way for anything, or there is but it won't be on the long run. Good luck :)
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Sept 17, 2014 17:03:03 GMT
You mentioned you have hills in their pasture. Ride him up and down the hills. I think with consistent riding you can work up to a maybe 2-3 hours a day. Lunging when you can't/don't feel like riding is better than doing nothing. Perhaps a grazing muzzle is in order?
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Post by lorddaxter on Sept 17, 2014 18:01:29 GMT
Thanks all:)
I've rode him 3 days in a row, today for quite a while but mainly walking as the saddle isn't fitting comfortably enough for him to my liking.
I can't put a muzzle on him, Ira rips it off along with flymasks, Isis is the only one who can keep anything on lol!
I did use to keep him alone in the paddock most of the summer but I don't have water in the big field so Ira and Isis would have nothing.
I didn't think of the hills lol!.....I'll do that tomorrow, I used the mohair cinch today which does grip better but he doesn't like it as much.
I think I'll lunge him over a few small jumps, get him rounding his back a bit, I'll just have to find a decent area, now he has shoes on it should be easier as ground won't have to be 100% all the way round.
I can't believe how bad he has gotten, I think it's the weather, I know the grass produces more sugar when it gets colder and with us having another hot snap it's still growing so prob really bad for him, there's even caterpillars going round again!
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Sept 17, 2014 19:22:27 GMT
I agree that trotting is the best exercise and up and down hills is great exercise. What about cavalettis or ground poles as well?
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Post by Shelly on Sept 19, 2014 3:13:17 GMT
I was going to mention to work him on a small hill  It's great for muscle development. When I was trying to build up my old Tb's top line I found lunging him on a hill helped him a lot Otherwise lots long long trotting, poles help because it makes them pick up their feet, limited grain. I know the one stable I boarded at had the fat horses and hard keepers separated so she could control everyones hay intake a bit more. ... but I'm one to talk.. our draft gelding looks like a pregnant mare LOL! |
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It's great for muscle development. When I was trying to build up my old Tb's top line I found lunging him on a hill helped him a lot