What to do when your horse will get chubby (Fionn’s progress)


Fionn and Odin are getting a tad bit chubby! They must get again to a wholesome weight asap! I would love them to be like this. This picture was taken in Might 2022. Fionn (proper) seems to be a bit chubbier as a result of he has a special construct than Odin (left), who’s extra elegant.

I began to develop methods to educate horses to supply motion in 2016, when Kyra acquired laminitis and was a 9 out of 9 on the physique rating index.

Kyra even acquired rain puddles on her again when it rained. But, I instructed myself she was “OK”. In spite of everything, she was (fats and) wholesome for the primary 8 years of her life… So, I postponed doing one thing about it. As a result of I simply didn’t understand how!

I began exercising her, however I acquired discouraged… I finished. I instructed myself ‘It isn’t that dangerousShe’s a barok horse.”. I did what I may: gradual feeders and fewer meals at evening…

Exercising sufficient with optimistic reinforcement was laborious. It “didn’t work” and I didn’t saved going with it. In hind sight I anticipated an excessive amount of, too quickly (‘lumping’) and stop. I want I had recognized then what I do know now.

Little did I do know that EMS exhibits itself between 9 and 12 years of age. She simply turned 9 and one month later… Laminitis! I received’t let that occur once more.

Fionn and Odin gained a little bit of weight in August and I’m doing all the pieces I realized, with the intention to reverse that. I’ll d get them again at a more healthy weight, earlier than it’s too late. I do know now how to do that with clicker coaching. I don’t have to fret about damaging the bond I constructed with each of them up to now 10 months, since I acquired them.

Right here’s what I realized coaching chubby horses again to well being

  • Laminitis might be prevented! And healed.
  • Weight problems in horses might be managed (even when horses undergo from ailments like EMS)
  • Most common weightless advise damages different components of the welfare of the horse (like placing them in solitary confinement and/or on a crash weight loss program that the vet suggested me for Kyra)
  • You will get them wholesome and HAPPY whereas serving to them to shed some pounds with exercising and administration modifications

Most vital of all:
What it’s important to do when your horse will get sick (laminitis) is simply briefly! I spent 2-3 hours, 7 days every week through the first 6 – 8 weeks or so to get Kyra again to well being!

It’s vital to appreciate that, whenever you’re in an identical scenario: This isn’t endlessly! And… whenever you forestall your horse from getting sick, you’ll save a lot of time, effort, cash and fear!

It’s important to put in an enormous period of time, effort and cash to nurse your horse again to well being as soon as he will get sick.

As soon as I acquired Kyra to a wholesome weight and laminitis free I may change again to my common quantity of spending time together with her. It was devastating to see her undergo! The quantity of fear and sleepless nights (aside from the monetary burden of a sick horse ? ) is big!

Mini’s and laminitis

This time I’ll do something to stop this from occurring. Particularly as a result of I do know miniature horses/ponies are liable to EMS and laminitis.

I’ll preserve you posted with a few of my coaching. I’m so glad that I do know precisely what to do now and I don’t must look the opposite method, till the vet would confront me with some dangerous information. I received’t let that occur once more!

Movies of Motion Coaching with Optimistic Reinforcement

From the weblog R+ Motion Coaching for Chubby Horses
Right here’s how one can begin. This doesn’t appear like something of the aim behaviour! In spite of everything, that is not adverse reinforcement! Watch the second video of coaching day 4 to get the concept what it would appear like ultimately after we constructed period.

Fionn at coaching day 4: the goal is been pale out and my physique language is getting smaller and smaller already.

Extra studying

Ideas for Treats

Transfer Your Horse with a Click on

Do you actually need to cease giving treats in coaching when your horse must shed some pounds?

Be part of R+ (motion) Coaching for Chubby Horses Program

Is your horse chubby? Did the vet really helpful: No extra treats!” or “Extra train” to get your horse in form? Be part of my R+ for Chubby Horses program. We’ll handle your largest wrestle in getting your horse to maneuver with optimistic reinforcement. You may solely be part of after a private dialog, so I can tailor this 2-week on-line teaching program in direction of your horse, your scenario and your wants! You may e-book a name right here.

If you wish to get higher at issues like:

  • Constructing period in exercising your horse with R+
  • Getting your horse in form and shed some pounds with out a crash weight loss program
  • Creating enjoyable in motion coaching so that you don’t must preserve operating alongside

That is for you. Try the knowledge web page right here!

Sandra Poppema, BSc

Founding father of the HippoLogic Clicker Coaching Academy

Sandra Poppema BSc HippoLogic Clicker training coach

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