haffyfan
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Post by haffyfan on Jun 30, 2009 13:32:29 GMT
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Post by fimacg on Jun 30, 2009 13:44:31 GMT
Not sure what to suggest as you seem to be doing everything right so the only additional ways to keep the weight off is more exercise and bringing them off the the grass entirely for a few hours which is what I have to do with mine.
Murph does appear to have a cresty neck and what look like fat pads behind his shoulders, the latter are appraently where they put on weight last and the hardest to get rid off - Chomps still has some of his despite loosing 12" now off his girth!
Harry's apple bum is fairly normal for his type, it looks quite similar in shape to Chompys and the distinction the vets gave me was the gutter no longer carries on up his back, it use to just about reach his shoulders.
Sorry it not much help but I think exercise will be key with these two, I know you were looking for someone to come and help you ride them, and if you have had no joy it might be worth starting to look again.
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Post by brigadier on Jun 30, 2009 15:38:34 GMT
They look overweight to me but not obese! I dont like condition scoring TBH, its the overall look for me, Ive seen horses fatter than these two for the show ring. I think Fi is right in that you need to get them a bit more exercise, Id suggest building them up to cantering for five mins each side every other day on the lunge- gets the weight off great. Trot isnt good enough for cobby types as they can trot for fun (its their most economical pace).
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Post by racaille on Jun 30, 2009 17:24:51 GMT
Hmmm, I'm sad to say they look rather like Paco, who I know is carrying extra weight at the moment.  Rather too sleek. I don't know anything about condition scoring but I know that Paco is best when I can run my hand over his flanks and feel his ribs - not a toast-rack, but definite ribs! When I have to prod to feel them, he's porky. On the other hand, Paco also has a crest and always does, regardless of his ribs. This is not a fab picture (he was very tired after a fast 35km) but I think if you look very hard you can just see the suggestion of a ribcage (but it's difficult to take pix of a white horse!)  |
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Post by duckles on Jun 30, 2009 19:54:17 GMT
I think Paco looks great - mind you can't see his crest with the lovely flowing mane.
Haffy, I see that your paddock is fairly bare (as my own is at the moment) - I read somewhere that a very spbottom paddock is not great for weight as the sugar content is very concentrated in the new growth which is, of course, eaten immediately. Now whether that is true or not, I don't know. But if it is, it might be worth stabling them overnight as the sugars are highest in early morning.
Still, Brig's suggestion of more exercise is probably a lot easier. I have always found cantering and jumping does get the weight off quite quickly. Is there any stubble fields emerging around you at the moment for some gallops?? I think if they lost a bit of weight, they would really hold if off.
I know you can't ride and lead which is a great pity as I think you have great off road hacking. I know how hard it is to ride both, could you lunge one and ride the other?
I find that its nearly impossible to get the weight off some horses and to keep it on others - it seems a constant battle
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haffyfan
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is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
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Post by haffyfan on Jun 30, 2009 20:10:57 GMT
Thanks guys. Stabling is not an option as neither will, well murph will but tries to climb/kick his way out. I could pen them up as when one is ill etc but they tend to fight if in there too long without grub and theres not much room for poor old Harry (who always ends up getting beat up) to get away from a grumpy Murph....and I'd feel the need to hay them if left them in there for any decent period of time so not sure whether it would work or not?
Murph does not/can not/or should that be will not lunge/Long rein so thats out. Never tried with Harry but he will (would) Long rein on a circle so same principle I guess just an extra rein.
Regarding exercise, another 3 weeks and they will be able to get out a lot more. At the moment weekends are fine and usually mange Mon/THur eves but other 3 days are difficult as either I or J work late and don't always feel like riding by the time were done!
Duckles I totally agree, my previous pony Sunny and the mare I ahd on loan Khara were a poor doer and okay as long as she had plenty of grub but actually the can't keep keep weights on were far easier to manage and I worried a lot less!! It was just a case of piling forage down them...sometimes i feel I don't give harry and Murph enough - getting paranoid about how many pooh's they do some days and it's not enough despite the porky figures....Think I'm maybe better suited to my little ponies
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Post by racaille on Jun 30, 2009 20:29:13 GMT
Haffy, I understand your difficulties, I share them (BTW that pic of Paco was taken when he was, in my opinion, not fat!) Look at the journey home pix to see how much of a porker he is now!)
I sooo want to do ad lib feeding (no least because it is infinitely easier for me ;D) but I fear Paco is so greedy he doesn't know when to stop. I can reduce the quality of the hay but he has been putting on weight, slowly, for some time.
So if I want to continue with unrestricted feeding, the only option I can see is to up the exercise. Realistically, I think that means that when he is worked, he has to work harder. I have worked out a few routes that would make good 'trottings' - long hills where I ask him to put his back into it, rather than a slouch along. This is good for back end muscle too. I am hoping that this, two to three times a week, will do the trick because, much as I enjoy a slow amble along in walk, with an idle trot and lazy canter, it is not enough.
Are there any long hills near you that would do?
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haffyfan
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is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
Posts: 7,391
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Post by haffyfan on Jun 30, 2009 20:37:21 GMT
It's pretty much flat here really...now where we were before in sheffield it was hills galore!
I guess we need to up the anti a bit when out...Murph will be very cross bunny as he's a right lazy lump...they do walk out well most of the time but i guess on the flat it's not the same as with previous neddys who had all the hill work to do as well.
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Post by scattymare on Jun 30, 2009 22:13:57 GMT
Haffy I know how you feel . Doof is living off virtually nothing right now and is still overwieght - the vet described her as 'rather round' at her last visit! She's on spbottom grazing with a tiny bit of fresh grass daily. Unfortunately I can't even exercise her. Re the crest, she never really gets one, carries it all on her belly - YO had non horsey visitors to stay and one of them asked if she was pregnant  Myric pony on the other hand develops a crest as soon as he starts to gain weight so I guess it must be a case of some do some don't. |
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Post by spotti on Jul 1, 2009 8:10:37 GMT
As Fi says, the crest is an easy place to gain weight but the last place they lose it! They could be skin and bones elsewhere on their body yet still have a fat neck...funny old world  I'd say exercise would be a good way of losing any excess weight. I've noticed Faith is getting a bit squishy around her middle even though nothing has changed since she was in perfect condition just a few months ago except that she has done no work what-so-ever, but now she's been seen by the physio etc and is walking more and spending more time actually doing stuff, its slowly shifting and she's looking better by the day  . Oh and I'd say Harry's bum is quite normal for his breed although he does have a little bit of a squidgy-looking belly, and Murhpy has a bit of a crest but as previously said the fat in his crest will be the last thing he will lose... |
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Post by fleabitten on Jul 1, 2009 9:32:12 GMT
I think Murph looks in perfect condition - my aunties ID has a huge crest and she isnt fat so I dont think you will be able to shift it. Harry is a bit fatter but with a bit more exercise he will soon slim down. I think they both look fine to me |
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Post by maximum on Jul 8, 2009 18:41:47 GMT
a tad porky is how I would describe them! not obeose but certainly carrying more than they need to and I think lots of hard work is the only answer- send then to auntie Carole and they can be turned out on the side of a steep heather clad hill- 3 weeks ought to have the desired effect!
Crested neck when the rest of the horse is not fat can be a sign of Cushings but I doubt thats it! it can also indicate Insulin probles so if were worried you could get blood tests but it highly unlikely- I may edit this and take off the scary bit!
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haffyfan
Administrator
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
Posts: 7,391
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Post by haffyfan on Jul 8, 2009 18:48:38 GMT
Please don't edit Maxi as I have read it!
They are due teeth/vaccs in next few weeks once my hols start so I may mention it to vet and see what they say as it has aways been an issue since he was a baby, unfortunatly my regular vet has moved to pastures new so it will be a newbie who doesn't know his history.
Ps your very welcome to them...some schooling wouldn't go a miss whilst with you either
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Post by maximum on Jul 8, 2009 18:58:22 GMT
Oh go on then- check the train times!! hehe!
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Post by racaille on Jul 9, 2009 7:23:22 GMT
I'm happy to say that Paco has ribs again (just). Lots of uphill trotting and days off from the round bale are doing the trick ;D
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Post by spotti on Jul 9, 2009 12:53:12 GMT
I read somewhere that mangnesium is supposed to be good for combatting the fat deposits causes cresty necks and so on...dunno how good it is though  |
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Also they often mention apple bums etc...well how do you go on with cobbier types with this...they nearly always have apple bums.
)
Also they often mention apple bums etc...well how do you go on with cobbier types with this...they nearly always have apple bums.
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
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