eeyore
Novice Poster
Posts: 40
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Post by eeyore on Dec 22, 2008 14:17:35 GMT 1
Hmmmmm.........
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Post by Susan on Dec 22, 2008 14:54:57 GMT 1
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rummi
Olympic Poster
Olympic Poster
www.naturalhorsesupplies.co.uk
Posts: 744
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Post by rummi on Dec 22, 2008 15:07:54 GMT 1
I was just about to ask the same thing Susan?!!!!
Can I also add my thanks to you for your inspiration. I have always struggled with Rummi's weight, but with setting up a corridor around the outside of his field to restrict the grass and keep him moving, I kept his weight good.
However, when i got Bailey, he kept breaking through the elctric fencing to get at all the 'rested' grass in the centre, putting them both at risk. I have never 'liked' muzzle and and tried to do everything else.
However, with your encouragement, I got them both a muzzle and moved the fence in enough so they still had a corridor around the outside of the field, but had access to the longer older grass - with their muzzles on 24/7.
This has worked brilliantly, especially with Bailey who is not 3 until Feb 2009 so i can't work him much, although we do do our 30 min power walks 2/3 times a week!!!!
I did make the mistake of taking their muzzles off a few weeks ago and letting them have free acess to the 'gone over' hay/grass in the middle...........
..........BIG mistake, they both gained weight so muzzles are back on and back out on the corridor (Plan A!). They've already lost 20kg each in a couple of weeks!
Looks like they may need their muzzles 24/7 365 days a year, but we'll see. I'll take them off if it snows!!!! ;D
Thanks again, and Flynn looks fab!
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Post by iceberg on Dec 22, 2008 15:39:30 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 as they 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. no susan I didnt use a muzzle on Archie ( I only got him in April) - Cm who owned him, had him on a very small patch with carefully monitered hay / feed and he looked fab!!! The fencing at my yard leaves a lot to be desired, two horses have got caught up, and had to be cut free, a third sliced his leg badly yesterday - 2 of these are in my field - so I will not put a muzzle on him in case he tries to rub it off on the fencing. YO isnt horsey ( thinks he is ) and the fencing is sheep wire and barbed wire. He wont replace it and gets 'difficult' when improvements are suggested. Archie has lost some weight - around 30 kg so far - so this is encouraging - but no where near enough yet - I spoke to YO again!!! yesterday and his 'advice' is to muzzle or keep him in overnight - hmmm, with haylege - oh yes good idea! and no, I cant move at the moment, - there are no more yards within my travelling distance that I havent already been on - same problems all round!! I dont know what the answer is - but if he hasnt lost a significant amount by the end of january - then I am going to either move him (where I dont know!!), or really play my face about sectioning his field off ( there are other cob owners in my position), and pray they want the same. I want to say well done to you, I understand all too well how difficult these types are - its a battle all year round and it really plays on your emotions - you know you are being cruel to be kind, restricting grazing and feed, but at the same time it is mentally difficult to keep strong when you know /think they are hungry. xxx
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Post by Susan on Dec 23, 2008 0:48:56 GMT 1
rummi thank you so much.. you have been such a support.
In fact I must vist your web site again soon..
Anyonw she has great value.. worth visiting for those alternatives..
iceberg sent you PM..
.. I think even mud has calories..LOL
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Post by alternatifhoof on Dec 23, 2008 1:44:45 GMT 1
Wow oh WOW!!.. finally logged on to the forum after about a year and saw this post.. and the picture of flynn!!.. he looks like a different horse... and wow, has made me think about fat Taz.. its the truth.. I use the excuse, he's a cob!!
How can i get to read the article?
xxxxxxxxx
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Post by alternatifhoof on Dec 23, 2008 1:45:45 GMT 1
forgot to say.. its Dinks in FRance!!
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Post by Susan on Dec 23, 2008 14:10:17 GMT 1
PM me your email and I will send it to you.. And Hello! Dinks.. and new name again.. thought it was Ian to start off with.. Long time no hear
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Post by Kelly Marks on Dec 24, 2008 19:10:38 GMT 1
Anyone wanting to read the piece AND to get the free IH Christmas DVD should join the IH Association - amazing value at just £20 a year!!!
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Post by Susan on Dec 24, 2008 21:32:06 GMT 1
Sorry Kelly but Dinks is a really good friend I have known for years ( pennies stretched as well for her) and hence I sent her my write up.. I can say,., the latest edition was amazing to read.. not because my feature was in it.. and I loved reading about Pie meeting Warhorse and all the other amazing features still not watched all of the dvd... but loved what I saw so far.. thank you Kelly and a merry christmas to you..
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