Additional Details
5 months ago
I know about putting them on a diet and more exercize.... i need some ideas like about some EXERCIZE plans for them. ones that will burn fat and build muscle.
Best Answer
Horses are grazers, so the primary source of nutrition, should come from forage. (grasses, and/or high quality, clean hay) Everyone has preferences for the type of hay, such as alfalfa, bermuda, orchard, etc., just make sure it%26#039;s clean, dust and mold free, and make sure your horse will eat it! Some horses don%26#039;t like certain hays, and won%26#039;t touch them. Don%26#039;t count flakes of hay, go by weight of the hay. Rather than going to high fat items, such as oils, or certain feeds, with added fats, try using good nutrition, instead. Fat equates to fake nutrition, since it adds weight, without any real nutritional value. (A horse%26#039;s daily requirement of fat, is less than 5%.)There is a simple formula, for calculating how much to feed a horse, and it will work if you want one to gain weight, lose weight, or maintain it%26#039;s weight, and it%26#039;s based on feeding to a %26quot;goal body weight%26quot;, or the weight you want the horse to weigh.
Based on a horse%26#039;s workload, and it%26#039;s general ability to maintain weight, a horse should be fed between 1 1/2% and 2 1/2% of it%26#039;s goal body weight, in feedstuffs. (grass, hay, and grain/concentrates) It%26#039;s best to start with 2% of it%26#039;s goal weight, and you can re-evaluate the effectiveness, after 21 days, and make adjustments, if needed.
If you don%26#039;t have access to a livestock scale, use a weight tape, they are accurate, within 10 to 15 pounds, and keep a record of the horse%26#039;s weight, for reference.
Example: thin horse, who currently weighs 850 pounds, who should weigh 1000 pounds. This horse will be fed a total of 2%, or 20 pounds of feedstuffs, every 24 hours, for the first 21 days. If you feel a need to use grain, feed a minimal amount, of 2 pounds, 2 times per day, of the best quality feed. I prefer pelleted feed, it digests better than whole grains. Feed 8 pounds, of clean, high quality hay, 2 times per day.
At the 21 day mark, evaluate how the horse is doing, and make any adjustments, up or down, as needed. Slow gain, is healthy gain, and avoids health problems, such as founder and colic. Dr. Eleanor Kellon-DVM %26amp; Michigan State University-Equine Studies Program
Other Answers (15)
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Actually, for horses, its easier to lose weight than humans, lol. How much are you feeding them? Try cutting their grain (if they are getting any) in 1/2 for 1 month. Some horses are jokingly referred to as %26quot;air ferns%26quot; and they can seemingly live on nothing and still keep their weight. Others need 4 lbs a day just to maintain. Avoid the supplements unless you know your horse truly needs it, i.e. senior citizen, bad feet, nursing mom, etc.
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you can just ride it and make it canter or trot,you can put it out in the pasture, and you can buy it diet food from the tractor supply co. or local feed store
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ride them, and cut back on feed
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like jo said....exercise and ration amount.... thats all that i have ever known
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Less fattening food and more exercise. It is that easy.
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don%26#039;t turn them out in grass pastures... if your stables has any spare sand rings let them run in those but grazing all day won%26#039;t help.
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cut rations...exercise more...just like humans, LOL
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Your horse probably isnt as fat as you think it is. He probably has what old cowboys call a grass belly. My guess is that you arent riding much or he wouldnt be fat. The best thing for a fat horse is a wet saddle pad. Start riding or lunging daily. Start out with about five minutes a day for about a week and work your way up to 30 minutes a day. Remember, if he is fat, then he wll be out of shape, and just like a human, you cant expect a fat boy to go out and run a marathon. You have to build him up slowly and you will see his pudge melt right off.
- Yup, like with humans, there%26#039;s no short cut to weight loss and fitness. They need a certain quantity of food to keep their digestive system healthy but it can be lower protein %26amp; fewer calories. Cut the grain and high calorie feed, substitute more grass hay and get them moving around more. Try daily lunging starting with a few minutes each direction and increasing time as they get fitter. Add some loose salt to their feed to make sure they%26#039;re drinking plenty of water.