Hiya,

Sarah (and Tippy) here

It's great that the grass is growing but boy am I having to keep an eye on Gizmo! I've watched him while he's grazing and he just seems to hoover the grass up.

I promised Stella I would keep a close eye on his weight and he is definitely getting plumper. So I've put his grazing muzzle on every day this week (which he hates and Tippy is scared of) and reduced his hard feed and the amount of hay he gets at night. It's tricky though because he gets to spend a long time turned out as I'm in the office all day - I now know exactly how tricky it is to manage a laminitis-prone horse or pony.

Gizmo looks hungry in his stable!

Tippy seems so much easier to care for. I've been watching her graze and she doesn't just pig out, she actually lifts her head up and moves around the paddock - occasionally.

I've also had a bad back this week! I do have problems with my back (fallen off too many times!) but I was riding Gizmo last week when it went. I think it's because he's so podgy that it went but it's been painful mucking out, carrying water buckets, grooming etc so I haven't even been able to ride to help Gizmo stay slim. It feels much better now and I'm going to be back in the saddle this weekend.

Bye for now
Sarah

PS Forgot to say last week - Tippy has road nails in her back shoes! The farrier says it will help grip more easily.