I have an obese little 29.75" mare, has been that way since I bought her years ago no matter what or whether she is being fed. She has been out on grass / no additional feed - and developed a large area of what looked like edema on her belly not long ago, so I brought her up and put her on the starvation (she thinks) diet. It's slow but I am beginning to see a horse under all the weight. She gets a handful of Safe Choice & beet pulp in the morning only, and a little coastal hay twice a day. She is dry lotted with another heavy mare and has two yr olds turned out with her at night which gives her a reason to move around some. It's just been 2 weeks, but the edema is gone and I'm beginning to see a hint of weight loss elsewhere. I have not had her vet checked, but I don't think she fits the profile of an IR horse - no big cresty neck, no tendency to founder.. I would like to add something for nutrition/vitamins - may start her on Platinum Performance.
Jan