Grazing is a healthy and natural behaviour for horses. Unfortunately,turning a horse onto a lush, green pasture and allowing them to eat all that they want can cause weight problems and even laminitis.
There are several ways to prevent this happening:
Strip grazing
This can provide control over the amount of grass your horse has access to. Strip grazing is where each day the fences of the paddock are moved a small amount. Not only does this rest the paddock and allow sections to be fertilized, but the horses don’t have access to huge areas of lush grass. Therefore, it benefits both the horse and the paddocks.
Monitoring weight closely
In order to monitor the weight of your horse, use either a weight tape or a weight formula. Try to measure the horse’s weight on a fortnightly basis, as it is difficult to visually notice weight changes in a horse you see daily. Try and keep the weight measurement routine to around the same time of day and similar circumstances in terms of feed and exercise. If weight is monitored closely, any changes can be addressed before the situation becomes a problem.
Muzzle
Restricting grazing time and increasing stable time doesn’t really benefit the horse as standing in a stable uses less calories than walking around a field. However, introducing and using a muzzle can cut down the amount a horse can eat by 50% or more. Introduce it sensibly, using treats. Make sure it is well fitted and gradually build up the time spent wearing it to prevent rubbing.
Increasing exercise
When increasing the exercise that your horse performs, do this gradually and without overdoing it. Just an extra 30 minute walk per day can make all the difference.
Also, you could increase the exercise your horse carries out by using electric fencing in a U shape so that he or she has to use more of the field. Also, placing the water at the other end of the field from the gate so that the horse has to walk further means extra exercise!
Leave the rug off
No rug, or a lighter one, means that the horse is using its feed energy to keep warm. If the horse wears a rug, any extra calories it consumes and does not use keeping warm become fat.