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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
 
Location: SW MO | I have an older mare that is turned out 24/7, gets 2 flakes alfalfa, and free choice bermuda round bales. She is retired and is very over weight. I really want to get some of her weight off because it is way too much for her to be carrying. But I am concerned about keeping her off the pasture during the day or night due to the temperatures. It is 30-40 during the day and 20's at night. Should I dry lot her with alfalfa during the day? Or try a grazing muzzle? |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
 
Location: Jersey Girl | Unless its absolutely needed, as in she's a hard keeper, I would stop giving the alfalfa and maybe limit her time at the round bale. My 26 yr old retired gelding still gets fat on air. I try to be careful he doesn't get too fat. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | fulltiltfilly - 2018-12-04 9:10 AM
Unless its absolutely needed, as in she's a hard keeper, I would stop giving the alfalfa and maybe limit her time at the round bale. My 26 yr old retired gelding still gets fat on air. I try to be careful he doesn't get too fat.
There is no way to limit her time on the round bale unless she is in a dry lot. That is my issue, there are two other horses pastured with her that need the bale. |
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I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | Mzbradford - 2018-12-04 10:17 AM fulltiltfilly - 2018-12-04 9:10 AM Unless its absolutely needed, as in she's a hard keeper, I would stop giving the alfalfa and maybe limit her time at the round bale. My 26 yr old retired gelding still gets fat on air. I try to be careful he doesn't get too fat. There is no way to limit her time on the round bale unless she is in a dry lot. That is my issue, there are two other horses pastured with her that need the bale.
How overweight is she? I'd be concerned she will founder or end up with metabolic issues. Sounds like you should dry lot her to limit intake. I wouldn't do a grazing muzzle on a round bale. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | How old is she? I would cut out the alfalfa and see how she gos from there. Alfalfa can really plump a horse up. |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10794
Location: Kansas | Southtxponygirl - 2018-12-04 10:32 AM How old is she? I would cut out the alfalfa and see how she gos from there. Alfalfa can really plump a horse up.
I agree. I have a 25-year-old that gets senior variety grain twice a day and brome hay. He looks and feel great. He does have free grass picking but it doesn't help much this time of the year.
I lost my little Blondy's Dude years ago from overfeeding. Fat is not beautiful even though at the time I thought it was. He foundered and it was entirely my fault. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | Can you add some exercise? Even just free lunge in the arena just to burn some calories. Make sure she is comfortable and is moving plenty on her own.
I have a plump 26 year old gelding. He gets 1lb of ration balancer and herbs to keep his joints feeling good. He is a little overweight but we are going into winter here in and I prefer him where he is at so that I don't have to worry about him all winter being cold or having to blanket.
If she has metabolic issues you coud look at thyro-l to help her drop some weight but management is key after using it.
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