Is your horse looking a little overly plump thanks to the summer pastures? While many horse owners prefer their horses to have a little extra weight on them going into the winter, a horse that is carrying too much weight will need to lose some in order to stay healthy during the additional time in the horse stall this winter. Here are some tips to help your horse lose weight safely during the fall and the winter.

Avoid Fall Pastures

Fall pastures can be deceiving – the grass is short and not as green or lush as it is in the summer, so it can’t provide your horse with too many calories, right? Wrong. Fall grass is actually rich in sugars, and grazing on fall pastures won’t help your horse lose any weight. Limit your horse’s time on pasture, and consider using a grazing muzzle to slow his grass consumption.

Slow Your Horse’s Eating

In addition to limiting the amount of food that your horse consumes, it’s a good idea to slow down how quickly he eats. Horses who bolt their food are at risk of issues like choke, and a horse who eats quickly in a group of other horses will likely consume more than his share.

Small hole hay nets and hay feeders provide a great way to slow your horse’s consumption of hay. Additionally, putting large rocks into your horse’s feed pan can help to slow how quickly he eats his grain. Using a corner feeder can also help to slow your horse’s eating.

Keep Your Horse in Work

Working your horse during the winter can be a challenge, depending on your climate and whether or not you have access to an indoor riding arena. However, it’s particularly important that your horse still receive plenty of exercise, even in colder temperatures.

A horse exerciser can provide an excellent solution for a horse who needs to lose weight. The exerciser can help to keep your horse in motion over whatever period of time you desire, and it eliminates the need for you to walk alongside your horse. If you plan to use an exerciser, discuss a conditioning program with your vet to be sure that you start your horse at a speed and duration appropriate for his fitness level.

Monitor Your Horse Closely

As you help your horse to lose weight, keep a close eye on his body condition – you don’t want him to lose too much weight too quickly. Winter horse coats can be deceiving, making your horse look fatter than he is, so be sure to put your hands on your horse’s barrel at least a few times a week to check for his ribs. Additionally, if your horse wears blankets then you should remove them every few days to monitor his condition.

With a little effort, you can help your horse to lose weight during the fall and the winter.

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Original Source: Helping Your Horse Lose Weight During the Fall and Winter