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Post by Casper on Dec 16, 2008 14:26:08 GMT 1
You've done an amazing job Susan and should be incredibly proud of what you and Flynn have achieved.
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Post by nich on Dec 16, 2008 14:52:56 GMT 1
so true. and sad how people still don't get it. my mare has had her work-load upped and lost weight (and kept in on soaked hay for 5 hours a day in summer), I try not to over-rug and struggle with grooms at our livery yard who think she needs cosseting because she is not FAT!
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shandypants
Olympic Poster
Intermediate Poster
Posts: 504
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Post by shandypants on Dec 16, 2008 17:29:43 GMT 1
Susan your article was a VERY good read. I think you are doing a fantastic job both with the gorgeous Flynn and getting the important message across.
Is there any magazine that goes out to pony clubs etc? as I think it would be a good idea to educate the younger generation on the obesity issue as well.
P.S can I have your autograph!!!!!!! ;D ;D Very proud of you
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Post by Susan on Dec 16, 2008 17:42:54 GMT 1
AH shandy pants thanks ! now that is an idea the BHS!!! and Pony Club... I am sending to Horse and Rider to see if they will print it..
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Post by beany1 on Dec 16, 2008 21:29:18 GMT 1
Well done Susan, I too have found your experiences interesting and have learned from them so thank you for sharing them Agree with something Nich said - I will hold my head up high when my boys are told they are thin - they aren't, they are just not fat and we aren't used to seeing it!!
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Post by annabelle h on Dec 17, 2008 11:49:11 GMT 1
Big congratulations Susan and Flynn, you have really made an impact with your slimming story!
Have a friend who writes for Your Horse (among others), and I know she was writing something about obesity/condition recently, if you email me your article I could send it on to her if you like? Or she could at least suggest the right person at YH to get a response!
Well done again, slimline Flynn looks even hunkier than before!
Annabelle
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Post by Mrs Craig on Dec 17, 2008 15:02:03 GMT 1
".. then worse the LGL attack Real kick up bum time.. which in hindsight I think had been happening before but I put down to many things like his feet are little footy it is the ground.. or the wet.. "
Sadly I had the same reality check as you, Susan. Riding him now (still barefoot), it makes me wonder just how many horses out there 'needing shoes' are just LGL cases. I've had to practically fight off friends saying that he should have shoes on now, but like you, I know that having the shoes on will make the signs more subtle - he was shod at the time of his LGL attack, which definitely didn't help, as he was at the end of the 6 week cycle, so maximum imbalance.
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Post by Susan on Dec 17, 2008 15:31:03 GMT 1
Francis it is a big world world of learning isnt it.. hey and that dam stuff called "Hindsight" where on earth do you buy it from.. as I dam well need a load more.. On my wish list Bottle of Self Belief Bottle of Hindsight Dam big Crystal Ball and a huge box of Learning Curves so I have them here already.. instead of getting them bit by bit..
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Post by sandy on Dec 17, 2008 18:19:29 GMT 1
Just got to add a huge well done to you and Flynn. I started using a muzzle last summer for the first time but got complacent when I thought the grass was short. I thought she didnt need the muzzle on then and she really piled the pounds on. So shes in now at night and all her forage is weighed and in tiny holed nets and I am hopeful by spring she'll have lost most of the excess. I wont be making the same mistake next spring/summer.
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Post by Susan on Dec 18, 2008 14:17:12 GMT 1
Sandy been there go tthe teashirt.. on the grass is too short.. it wont happen tnext year either for Flynn.. good for you..
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Post by Mrs Craig on Dec 18, 2008 15:41:04 GMT 1
I did try the muzzle this year, but aside from short periods, when I can watch him, it's useless. He works so hard to get it off, he injures himself!
Not so much learning for me, Susan, as removing my head from the sand. This Spring was beyond my control weight wise, which meant that finally, he 'didn't get away with it' like he usually does. Other people feeding him and allowing him more grass meant that I lost control of the weight completely. Livery yards? Not again if I can help it!
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Post by iceberg on Dec 18, 2008 16:25:26 GMT 1
I agree frances - livery yards can make this so much harder! My YO wont let us fence off patches for good doers, or fence paddocks off for them either - Im fighting a losing battle the whole time! All I can do is leave him unrugged, and let winter do its work.
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Post by Susan on Dec 19, 2008 13:47:51 GMT 1
I agree frances - livery yards can make this so much harder! My YO wont let us fence off patches for good doers, or fence paddocks off for them either - Im fighting a losing battle the whole time! All I can do is leave him unrugged, and let winter do its work. iceberg.. I was in your position before I really accepted Flynns weight issue. The YO had allowed 2 other liveries to have small area, then when I asked if I could use same asthey had given it up I was told no! I said but you allowed them.. I got a simple No we dont want to do it again. I even offered to use my own fencing. Her answer was have my horse stabled 24/7.. and not give him much hay. Now in hindsight if I had know what I know now I would have moved out sooner. I am lucky where I am, I have my own field and can do more or less as I please even though it is a DIY yard. I am even considering taking up the idea LouiseC has done if YO will allow for next year. The paddock paradise system. I was also unable to use a muzzle as ahorse we shared a field with was a nightmare he would have dragged Flynn around the field by it and tore it to bits and got it off.. as he destroyed Flynns rugs constantly and climbed all over him all the time.. Not the horses fault as such he was simply that way inclined. Didnt you use a muzzle last year?? as I am sure you did.. I am already having thoughts on ways to keep Flynns on when we go back to one.. I ended up plaiting it to his forelock on the end to keep it on.. as some days if he rolled and rubbed his face he got it off.. I get annoyed as factually we have far too many over weight horses and YO's are not acknowledging it.. and the need for grazing to be looked at not offer the lush grazing so many do especially if taken off cattle farmland.
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lucyloo
Olympic Poster
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Posts: 607
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Post by lucyloo on Dec 19, 2008 17:55:06 GMT 1
Well done Susan!
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Post by Susan on Dec 20, 2008 0:33:47 GMT 1
ah lucyloo thanks.. going to be in touch as pressie for baby ted.. from santa
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