how much weight should we lose???

He's fat... I know... I actually like my horses soft... He doesnt show anymore (he's 9 years old and has been designated my trail pony). He doesnt have to be in show condition but I'm thinking he's a little heavy..... He only gets about a handful of grain morning and night. I put out about 5 piles of hay morning and night, each pile is about 2 flakes but I'm feeding 4 horses in the field together. I can't cut back on hay unless I stall him at night and I don't wanna.... I'm not sure how to make him lose weight..... unless, I RIDE HIM MORE! But I do think he's fat...? What do you think?????




I'm going to add Pix of Beauty next because I think she's insanely fat... I don't know how this happens! I don't feed them THAT MUCH and I put them in stalls morning and night to eat grain so they are only getting their grain... I think I give them too much love.....

PS - check out his tail... I LOVE HIS TAIL!!! LMAO

Umm... he's a pretty chunky boy!

I know the arab barn I worked at would free lunge them at a canter for 5 mins to start, then move up to 10 minutes...it really toned them down.

I would try to eliminate the grain all-together, or do what you said and stall/feed less hay.

He's such a cutie!

The first pic he looks heavier than the second pic. He doesn't actually look that bad, in my opinion. I have seen way worse. Try lessening his grain a little at a time. And yes, ride him more!

BTW, he's so cute!

I agree he doesn't look too bad. I think cutting out his grain would help and the free lunging idea is awesome for helping him lose weight.

He is a bit chunky. :P But what a cutie he is!!
I say ride him more & give him less grain. Oooh free-lunging is not a bad idea!
Good luck!!

I am SUCH a sucker for a grey! I think he's awefully cute...I like em a bit chubby too....... He could stand to loose a bit. I would go with taking the grain away...maybe just the morning ration and then yes...ride him.

...but! BUT THAT'S SO MEAN!!! Take his precious little grain away.... I'll cut it back even more, maybe just the teenies weensiest bit... I mean, I bet he gets maybe 2 cups? I could give him just a cup...??? I mean, we are talking teeny bits! POOR BLUE BOY!!!! He's going to starve!!! WAIL!!!!

When he went to reform school a couple years ago he dropped a ton of weight... like I bet 100lbs... do you think he needs to lose that much????

Yeah lunging is a great idea....but free lunge.make it fun not work.i wouldn't necissarily down size on grain amounts quite yet but deffinately go with more exercise.i mean he's only 9 right??or you said he's your trail horse.but you can try trail riding more or set up some courses in your arena.what im saying is exercise more!! He is a little chunky but I personally think its a cute chunky

I think 100 pounds would move him from "fleshy" to "moderately fleshy"...right about where I like mine to be :)

OOOoOooOOoh.... You're only giving him 2 cups... I see. That makes more sence. LOL... I thought you were talking like scoops not cups... I am going to change my answer, Ride that beautiful baby! Treat him with the grain but ride cowgirl ride! LOL

Edited to add the rest of my thought! :roll: -

No... I don't believe he needs to loose 100#'s. Maybe just like 54#.