I have a great
little half arab pony mix mare who has a lot of trouble with her weight. She
actually lost weight this past winter and has gained it and more weight
back this spring. She probably needs to lose 100-200 lbs. After my 13 yo gets
out of school, she will be able to train with me more to exercise her but
even then I don't think that exercise will be enough. We have no withers right
now to hold saddles on very well.
It may be that we
need to keep her dry lotted during the richest grass season and let her pasture
with the herd during winter of the year. We've had her for about three seasons
now I believe, right Teresa? Anyway, she is a great pony and I believe she
has potential at least in LD for my daughter.
Susan Garlinghouse
and others out there please advise about what would be best for this mare. She
is also boss of our 6 horse herd. I'm concerned that if we decide that dry
lotting her is the best course to take, then will that bind the herd to her near
the drylot and cause them to not roam our 21 acres of lush pasture and only eat
on our first 5 acres near the drylot? Anyone care to give me some educated
guesses? The issues with drylotting are many I imagine including much more
care in the nutrition arena than I'm used to giving anymore. What kind of
suppliments do I need to be giving her should we decide drylotting is the best
way to go? I have about 40 bales of great grass hay to sart off with. How much
do I give her and what else?
In His Hands,
Susan,
"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that
is given you." -Gandalf the Grey from Lord of the
Rings
