This message is from: Debbie Shade <dmshad...@hotmail.com>
Since I have had a few people ask how I got weight off my Fjord here it is. I started by putting her on Thyroid meds, per the vet, though her thyroid was okay, the vet thought it would help with the weight loss. That didn't help. Here is the routine that worked. First the environment. I'm in northern New Hampshire and she is out with 2-3 other horses, Connemara, QH mares and in winter also an Appy gelding. She is low pony so gets pushed around but can eat twice as fast as anyone else. Turn out is grass pasture but on a mountain and thus not lush. Outside from 7am to 4pm then stalled with an adjoining 15 x 20 individual paddock. in and out all night Grain- just a balancer, Nutrena Empower Balance 1 pound a day divided into 3 feedings, am, pm and late night. Hay- 1st cut 3 pounds in a small whole hay net at each feeding pm and late. Soaked a minimum one hour usually longer then fully drained. Weighing the hay is vital as I have discovered volume/weight can really change between bales and can easily fool you. I have set this up with a ring on the wall and I just pull the bag up and hang it on the wall over the wheeled tub and then empty the water in the tub each time.Pasture- muzzle all spring and summer, though my soft hearted husband would often take if off in the afternoons. In August no muzzle as the grass is pretty much gone. When I start putting hay out mid September the muzzle goes back on each day until the hay is gone. I put out about 30 pounds for three horses. This is second cut hay as that is what I feed my others. If they eat all the hay, I will take the muzzle off her. I still think she eats the hay faster than the others even with the muzzle on. I feel bad seeing her with the muzzle in the snow and ice of winter but she doesn't seem to mind and her health is what matters. This is what helped me get the weight off. I do think the Smartpak metabo-lean has also helped with the weight loss. I could definitely see a difference when that was added. I got my mare back after someone had her on a hay field for two years with no work. When I got her back she was diagnosed with Cushings and IR. She is 19. In just over a year I have reduced her weight by almost 200 pounds 1050 to 879. She doesn't show any signs of a horse with cushings. She is on prascend and smartpak metabo-lean. and Previcox. Is it worth testing her again or would the test be false due to the prascend? If anyone is interested I can let you know how I managed the weight loss. She looks great now. Like a much younger horse. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
