Cob experts - how's she looking going into winter?

I have no idea what you're on about, AmyMay, unless you are inferring that I don't know how to manage stock, in which case, you are insulting my knowledge base, without knowing what this may be?
 
amymay said:
Providing there's a decent amount of grass - and they're getting adlib forage I would expect her to come out of winter as fat as mud (without any hard feeds). Horses managed well over winter out 24/7 should do extremely well.
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+1

Ours are all 24/7 all year. We've had very few horses on hard feed over winter. These are either older horses, horses with gut problems requiring food through at all times and occasionally a kick start for a youngster.

I'd be worried if mine were not coming well out of winter... and that's not on ad lib hay/haylage. They only get fed if necessary and tailored so as no waste.
 
PandorasJar said:
+1

Ours are all 24/7 all year. We've had very few horses on hard feed over winter. These are either older horses, horses with gut problems requiring food through at all times and occasionally a kick start for a youngster.

I'd be worried if mine were not coming well out of winter... and that's not on ad lib hay/haylage. They only get fed if necessary and tailored so as no waste.
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Are you suggesting that this OP just put her horse out in the field with just grass?
 
I think she is a little on the trim side but then you seem to have recognised that already. As a five year old I would like to see her looking a little more 'solid' by now. That doesn't mean fat before anyone jumps on me but considering she isn't in work I might be considering why she is so trim. I know you lost foaliee which was so sad but she should have picked up by now in terms of her own strength? She is looking a bit weak for me.

ETA - just read the last couple of pages and I see you have considered these points.... I'll go back to sleep now :)
 
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Achinghips said:
Are you suggesting that this OP just put her horse out in the field with just grass?
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They're not designed to live on grass you know...;) :rolleyes:

OP I think weight wise she looks fine, just lacking muscle but that's only going to come through work. Just keep an eye on her over winter....she's probably going to grow a big yak coat :) so best to give her a regular prod rather than going by eye.
 
it is a shame that someone posts a pic of a cob looking a healthy weight, and gets told that the pony is too thin - and yet some pics of "show horses /hunters" that have been posted over the last six months.....well no-one dares mention the obesity word, and says the horse looks "amazing". :rolleyes:

just an observation, not an argument.
 
shysmum said:
it is a shame that someone posts a pic of a cob looking a healthy weight, and gets told that the pony is too thin - and yet some pics of "show horses /hunters" that have been posted over the last six months.....well no-one dares mention the obesity word, and says the horse looks "amazing". :rolleyes:

just an observation, not an argument.
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You said she looked fine but you wouldn't want 'her to drop anymore' suggesting that she is right on the line, others said that she looks ok but a little light. I guess those two opinions aren't that far apart then.....
 
I also agree that she looks well but wouldn't want her to loose much more now before winter really kicks in. I personally wouldn't leave any horse out over winter without any additional forage, I would offer adlib and see how you go.
 
Thanks for your replies everyone. In the main you've pretty much confirmed what I feel; that she's OK, but borderline, particularly going into winter. I'm going to up her forage and keep a close eye on things. I'll take the same pics in a week or two, see how she's going :)
 
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