Starvation paddock or grazing muzzle?

I would 1/2 off the paddock. If they eat all the grass in one 1/2, you can move them into the other 1/2 and keep swapping paddocks. They will still be able to run about in their paddock so don't worry about that.

Good Luck, hope you make a decision.

I would definitely half the paddock. I have a fatty and a lamininetic and the grazing muzzles do come off no matter how thoroughly you attach them. And when they get them off for just half an hour they will make more than the most of it and eat a horses quota of grass for 12hrs in just half an hour.

I agree strongly with exercise. as mentioned by somebody else free lunging in the paddock is good as a last resort, if you have access to a school or enclosed arena horses work much better, as then there is a 'work place' where you are in charge of every step they take and a 'play place' where different boundaries are expected, horses need clear boundaries and if you can avoid work in their field that would be best so that they understand that when were in the arena it’s time to knuckle down and do as we're told and when they’re out they can play and relax. They all work much better with these boundaries. You’ll struggle with weight just cutting down on food intake; exercise will make it much easier and easier to keep the weight off in the long run if they are fitter.

Important note: if you cut down on grass you may need to feed a vitamin supplement. This can be done with field mineral licks or fed in low calorie feed. If you don’t, you may find they lose general condition as well as weight.

Hope this helps 

The short grass has more calories than the long grass. I really hope you aren't mowing (4 acres is a lot for 2 horses to eat down that fast, especially if they only go out at night). Mowing stresses the grass, and consequently makes the sugar & calorie levels higher. If I were you, I'd fence off half of the pasture (rather than 1/2 acre, which isn't enough and they would just destroy), and let them eat that. 1 acre per horse is ideal for easy keepers, so they shouldn't eat it down too fast going out at night. I would be sure to rotate, though. Once they begin to eat it down, or their pasture becomes torn up or such, move them to the other 1/2 of your field. Remember, don't mow. The other 1/2 may get long, but long is better than mowed. If you MUST mow, wait a while before turning the horses back out on it.

edit: uh, kay, well have fun having your hroses stand in their own manure all night then while they starve. 1/2 acre isn't enough for 1 horse, let alone two. they will eat it down, they will tear it up. you have them on FOUR, how do you know 2 would be too much??

How much time do you have?

I would put them on dry paddock before I used grazing muzzles-- I'm always deeply worried that the muzzles will come off, and the horses will overeat.

If you have enough time, then consider free lunging both horses in an arena, or if necessary, in the pasture for twenty minutes. Keep them moving at a hard trot for about 15 of those minutes-- work up to this gradually if they are really out of shape.

I've used this method on small horse herds before, and as long as you set some sort of pattern for free longing (A specific whip or flag, a change of body language so that it is clear you are chasing them, and lots of cuddle and treat time at the end), most horses love the game and quickly learn to come right up to you at the end for some personal time. It gets them moving and working enough to help their metabolism burn off that fat, plus it gives you time to just enjoy your horses.

I would half the paddocks... I find grazing muzzles quite cruel to be honest as it does deprive the horse of natural pleasures such as grooming and nibbling around the place.

If your horses are in by night, then I think they need to have access to graze during the day - so restricting the grass is the best option all round.

xx

1/2 the field