My Quarter horse Josie, ever since she got pregnant (which was 2 years ago now) she has been overweight. I'm talking FAT.. i went to ride her the other day, and i could barely geta saddle on, her neck is like 3 feet thick which IS NOT normal. She looks like a bulldog. My dad is just stupid and doesnt think anything is wrong with "his" horse as he says, so he wont take her off pasture, because then that would cost him money to feed her substitutes. I try to ride her as much as i can, but she keeps getting fatter. I dont know whats the deal because the other horses that are turned out with her all the time are of good size and aren't overweight.. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM..??
2006-11-01 14:44:13 · 7 answers · asked by Erika L 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Some horses will just always gain a lot of weight from being offered free pasture. Not necessarily a bad thing because at the other end of the spectrum you have horses that can't gain weight for the life of them. Just exercise her as much as possible. Lunge her daily for 20-40 minutes and cut back on any feed that you may give her (grain, oats, etc.)
2006-11-01 14:53:46 · answer #1 · answered by cowgalcase2882 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your vet. Yes some horses are "easy keepers" but what you're describing sounds medical. She may have a thyroid imbalance just like people can get. Your vet can then help with a solution. A word of caution, excessive weight can lead to founder/laminitis. You will need to seriously cut back on pasture time or get a grazing muzzle. But first call your vet.
2006-11-02 12:26:20 · answer #2 · answered by CHill 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you need to talk to your vet and get some blood work done. she may be having a thyroid problem. I'm serious!! does she not blow her winter coat? you need to get her out of the pasture before she starts having other problems that stem from her being overweight. like founder. if you can't get her out of pasture at least daily take her out for 8-12 hours and then put her back. so that she isn't grazing not stop, at least this way you won't have to feed her!! extra or other food but you are stopping the non stop grazing. good luck
2006-11-04 06:26:58 · answer #3 · answered by cattledog_vinnie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WHAT are you feeding that mare?!?!
I would ask your vet, and cut out eerything from her diet that you can. Definatly no grain, grass hay if the pasture isn't good, and consider getting her a grazing muzzle. That way she can't eat so much. you just need to make sure you take it off a few hours a day so she can eat and to make sure she drinks. (some horses don't drink with the muzzle on.)
2006-11-01 23:33:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grazing muzzle.
Put on on her and it will control the amount of grass she can consume. She will only be able to get small amounts not huge mouthfulls.
It works.
My husbands mare wears one 12 hours per day. She puts her head down when she hits the pasture and never brings it up all day. She is a pig. My gelding is not fat at all and the mare is.
Just differnt metabolism. She also does nothing but eat. He runs around and sleeps and stuff but not her. Eating machine.
2006-11-02 09:27:18 · answer #5 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some horses are just "easy keepers" and its just harder for them to burn off calories. If you don't get your horse to lose weight soon, you may be facing a lot more serious problems like founder or colic. This is a good link, but your vet is the best advisor - call them and have them give you ideas about a feeding program. Good luck!
http://horses.about.com/od/feedingyourhorse/f/weightloss.htm
2006-11-01 22:53:14 · answer #6 · answered by dallygirl89 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should definately ask your nearest livestock vet about this. I'd say exercise her in a corral, but not too strenuous. And put her on a diet!
2006-11-01 22:48:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋