Condition question

Armas

Armas

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 May 2012
Messages
1,331
Visit site
Armas is a bit leaner than prior to his sea side adventure, I was discussing this with a friend as it concerns me also Auslander mentioned this :(
His routine has also just changed he is now out 24/7 as its now warm enough.
Whilst stabled at night during the winter he had access to add lib hay and a small square of fresh alfalfa and his hard feed three times a day.
Since he is out no hay or alfalfa as plenty of rich grass plus hard feed twice a day and normal supplements.
I am thinking of re-upping the hard feed to three times a day, I down graded it as did not want him to get to fat.
As the field has plenty of good grass should I also stick in a big bale of hay for them to munch on that seems to be over the top.
His drop is probably related to the 4 days work at the sea side. It just so hard as I do not want him to get fat nor do I want him to loose his condition.
Work load as not changed.
Confused......
 
Last edited:
I didn't mean to worry you! It was just an observation, and in no way meant to put the wind up you!
He's on plenty of forage, and he looks really fit and healthy, just a tiny bit lean. Rather than giving him an extra feed, why not think about feeding one of the high calorie oil based supplementary feeds - Equijewel, Coolstance Copra, or Linseed - weight gain without added fizz (we know he doesn't need ANY extra sparkle!)
 
He will pick up. It's not as if animals gain weight overnight. Don't push him on with dried forage now if he is established on grass. You may cause colic. Give it another week or two and see how he is then.

All our horses took about 4 weeks to pick up on grass 24/7.
 
Auslander said:
I didn't mean to worry you! It was just an observation, and in no way meant to put the wind up you!
He's on plenty of forage, and he looks really fit and healthy, just a tiny bit lean. Rather than giving him an extra feed, why not think about feeding one of the high calorie oil based supplementary feeds - Equijewel, Coolstance Copra, or Linseed - weight gain without added fizz (we know he doesn't need ANY extra sparkle!)
Click to expand...

Auslander I just want to say i love you :D In a plutonic way x
He does get some soya oil added in to the hard food twice a week at the moment may up that to a daly dose.
 
i would put hay out and see if they eat it, he does look very lean in the round pen video you put up of him.
if he has plenty of grass and 2 hard feeds and has lost that weight through extra work i would be inclined to give him a week or 2 off to see if it makes any difference. maybe he needs a break to switch off, i certainly would not be doing any fast work with him till his weight ups a bit. he always looks like a bit of a stresser in his videos and maybe he just needs to chill?
if non of that works then i would be speaking to vet about running bloods-he seems to mix with lots of other horses and maybe he has picked up a virus?
 
I think Spanish types do get lean with endurance-type work, and can drop weight quite quickly (my PRE always tended to drop quickly as soon as we upped his work). I'm with Auslander on the linseed idea, it's great stuff. Alfabeet plus linseed worked wonders with my boy, he looked very muscle-y and shiny :cool:
 
Tantrums&Tiaras said:
I am sorry but I completely disagree. We put hay out for our horses whilst they are at grass. Never has any colic.
Click to expand...

So do I one of my main colic prevention measures is the horses get some forage and hard food every day all summer ( all be it very little for some ) so their systems are accustomned to the food they eat all the year.
Armas I would not worry if I give my horses a hard few days I expect them to look slimmer , then over the next ten days they will gain it back particularily at this time of year its normal and healthy.
 
My boy always drops a little after doing anything particularly energetic (e.g., one day event) so I slip little micronized linseed into his feed. Also, now that he is working hard and regularly, he is fed ERS pellets - slow release energy without the unnecessary fizz.

I wouldn't be giving your boy hay - if the grass is good enough he shouldn't need it. I would make sure he is kept warm enough that he isn't using up calories to keep warm . . . and I'd give it a week or so and see if he picks up before thinking about adding an extra feed.

Good luck.

P
 
Tantrums&Tiaras said:
I am sorry but I completely disagree. We put hay out for our horses whilst they are at grass. Never has any colic.
Click to expand...

Well then its my word against yours as I have seen two horses put down because of this.

Also, its a bit different when they are used to it. Suddenly adding hay out of the blue is not good for the digestive system.
 
Thank you all for the information. He also gets a cup full of Equus Health Winter Glow / Summer Shine every day which does contain linseed.
Temperature at night is between 5/10 at the moment days are warm and sunny. I hate using rugs unnecessarily as it rubs out his mane even with using protection.
 
Armas said:
Thank you all for the information. He also gets a cup full of Equus Health Winter Glow / Summer Shine every day which does contain linseed.
Temperature at night is between 5/10 at the moment days are warm and sunny. I hate using rugs unnecessarily as it rubs out his mane even with using protection.
Click to expand...

The are lots of baby andalusians being born here in the UK every year out in that temperature.

Armas is not a wuss, he will be fine! :)

My baby andalusian has just been hailed on... Quick call the horse police!
 
tallyho! said:
The are lots of baby andalusians being born here in the UK every year out in that temperature.

Armas is not a wuss, he will be fine! :)

My baby andalusian has just been hailed on... Quick call the horse police!
Click to expand...

Would that be the Andipolice lol I know he will be fine :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top