my horse is a fatso, not kidding, he is huge weightloss plan needed?

Question

my 17yr old gelding just gained a HUGE amount of weight. I have been in the hospital for 3 months. I just got out last week and now am finally able to go outside and see my horses (we have a large farm). Obviously I had a couple of horse people I hired to exercise & feed/muck stalls etc my usual chores but removed all grains from feed schedule as I don't trust others to grain them especially on a light riding schedule. My mares are all looking great but my gelding is FAT! He has never held weight well like some horses do where it distributes evenly (like my quarter horses mares) he is a guy who gets it in the gut only think wide load sign needed. I knew he had gained weight but I finally had the energy to do a quick bareback ride in the arena tonight and barely could get my legs around him it was like doing the splits he's so wide it is not even funny I mean very wide I literally pulled my inner thigh muscles stretching them that far out and will need a new girth for his saddle. His hooves are good he has not foundered, he is not cresty, he is happy, he is just porky. I did a fecal at home no worms but will worm him just as a precaution but its definitely fat, a call into my vet said do not worry about metabolic issues quit worrying and I will see you next month for your horses scheduled floats. My husband is NOT happy about this more upset than I am. Can someone please help me with a weight loss plan? I always slightly fatten up all my horses up for winter (easier in my opinion to keep weight on that way) but have never had an embarrassingly fat horse before and am not sure where to even start. Obviously will not grain him at all or feed alfalfa at this point (or turn him out with the mares to steal all of their hay which is what I think happened here) but an exercise plan is what I am looking for. His time off from riding I believe has really impacted his metabolism, before my emergency hospitalization I have ridden this particular horse every single day since I purchased him 9 years ago and not one of those rides didn't include at least a good long trot. Usually 5-10 miles a day is the average ride length if we do arena work it is a good hour even in the rain. He is just a one person horse so I had the helpers ride the mares but just lunge him and turn him out(he understands my cues but has no respect for anyone elses). Anyone had a fat boy? I guess he makes my butt look smaller but that's the only positive I can find out of this situation. Not happy advice needed on what exercise plan I can ease him into given he needs to burn calories but has been off for 3 months I do not want to overdo it and get him too sore especially I am still sore from multiple surgeries, he's 17, Kiger Mustang, Thanks

Answer 1

You can still feed grain, but just feed a lower fat content. a 12-3 should do well with progressively longer/harder rides as his weight goes down to reasonable. A couple flakes of coastal hay would be good to keep his mind busy during the day. I would recommend one flake in the morning and one at night, yet if your schedule doesn't allow you can still feed both at the same time.

Answer 2

Start off twice a week just riding him then slowly add days to it until its back to his normal schedule but when he's not riding do the normal time you use to do riding just lunging him. Do all off the paces at the lunge as well especially the trot. It will bring down his weight just give him slightly less food then normal as well

Answer 3

I have an arab with a weight problem. When spring comes and the grass starts getting green she is locked in the lower pasture because it has less grass. I also muzzle her. You can get hay nets with small holes to make them eat slower. Also increasing his work load slowly may help.

Answer 4

Best way is to ride hard and feed less. You do not need to take a month to ease into hard work, just listen to him and let him take 5 when he is ready to rest.