Condition Score

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-Sj-

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How would you condition score this mare? Welsh Sec a, rising 12. Had 2 days of adlib and water here, eating well, passing dung. Showing no signs of distress. Was very lethargic and was very dehydrated - I've never seen a horse or pony drink as much so quickly! Was dull and generally lifeless when collected on Monday and already she perked up abit and seems brighter. http://s31.photobucket.com/user/SassiJ/media/Photo0012.jpg.html http://s31.photobucket.com/user/Sas...31.photobucket.com/user/Sass...o0009.jpg.htmlhttp://s31.photobucket.com/user/SassiJ/media/Photo0010.jpg.html
 
cant really tell a lot from the photos need a good side on one too,

has she been seen by a vet to diagnose the fact she was very dehydrated as stuffing a very dehydrated pony full of dry hay is likely to cause a compacted colic?
 
Can't tell from a head shot and a bum shot.

If she was that dehydrated I'd consider asking the vet to give her a once over.
 
Thanks, there is a side on shot there, not sure what has happened to the links.
No one is "stuffing her full of dry hay" just for a start the haynets were soaked as per vets advice Plenty water for her to consume. We are guessing so far that as she was bought at auction she's been left without water hence being so thirsty. She's had bloods taken yesterday and a fecal sample to sent off to be checked. So we wait the results of those.
I know she is not emaciated by any means but she is certainly the skinniest wee pony I've seen for a while.

Vet has advised to start her on a small ration of beet and half a dose of conditioning cubes twice a day as of Friday, today. Any other feeding tips, Needs to be slow and steady as we don't want her to founder.
 
Personally I'd just give her hay, hay and more hay.

Glad the vet is happy with her. She looks like a real sweatheart.
 
Pretty little pony. Her head is lovely, I bet she will have teeth trouble as my Welsh A who had a very seahorse head always did, as they didn't grind against each other properly. Thats not an immeidate problem, just something to think of.
I don't know that I would give her conditioning cubes, just hay and a multivitamin supplement IMO, although I am no vet. Speedi beet if you must give hard feed.
 
Thanks Amymay, she really is a lovely little girl. I went all mooshy when I saw her.... a "you must come home and I'll feed you lass" moment.

I've been abit unsure about any sorts of hard feed tbh, sounds harsh to some.... but I've never really given any of my welshies hard feed. :/ They seem to do just fine with grass, adlib, and some carrots every now and again.
 
Without a side on shot (your link doesn't work and your bucket is private) it's hard to say, but skinny isn't a word that even crossed my mind from the quarter shot.
 
side shot

Photo0009.jpg
 
Ooo well done Ester.

Yes, I'd say she is looking rather poor. Do you know her history OP?

I agree about her teeth - well worth a check.

But would still stick with hay, hay and more hay.
 
I would be worming under vet guidance and getting checked for a bun as well - the bum shot doesn't match the side so something it not right (aside from lack of previous care)

ETA - something like well soaked speedibeet or fast fibre (my OH calls it pony slops the way I make it :D) with a good balancer/multivit and probiotic. would help her get the weight on healthily. Maybe add some grass nuts/freeze dried grass, oil or linseed.
 
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-Sj- said:
Thanks, there is a side on shot there, not sure what has happened to the links.
No one is "stuffing her full of dry hay" just for a start the haynets were soaked as per vets advice Plenty water for her to consume. We are guessing so far that as she was bought at auction she's been left without water hence being so thirsty. She's had bloods taken yesterday and a fecal sample to sent off to be checked. So we wait the results of those.
I know she is not emaciated by any means but she is certainly the skinniest wee pony I've seen for a while.

Vet has advised to start her on a small ration of beet and half a dose of conditioning cubes twice a day as of Friday, today. Any other feeding tips, Needs to be slow and steady as we don't want her to founder.
Click to expand...

SORRY could have worded it better was on my way out the door to work-wet hay great-vets has seen her great, running bloods etc etc fantastic, i guess vet will be checking for worms and pregnancy amongst other things on the bloods. I like others am not a fan of hard feed as a starting point for weight gain but your vet has seen her in the flesh we have not. good luck with her
 
Nugget La Poneh said:
I would be worming under vet guidance and getting checked for a bun as well - the bum shot doesn't match the side so something it not right (aside from lack of previous care)

ETA - something like well soaked speedibeet or fast fibre (my OH calls it pony slops the way I make it :D) with a good balancer/multivit and probiotic. would help her get the weight on healthily. Maybe add some grass nuts/freeze dried grass, oil or linseed.
Click to expand...

Yes... well, 2 for the price of 1 had crossed my mind. Although she does appear to be acting like she is in season? Lots of wee'in and tail swooshing but I have no experience whatsoever with pregnant mares. Then thinking... poor thing, if she is pregnant and ending up in that state. I wont jump to conclusions until bloods are back.
This might sound daft, but her feet are well kept. I know alittle about her but tbh.... how much of it is true I don't know I was told they were keeping her with 3 other large horses on just under an acre of land during this hot summer when there really wasn't a lot of grass as it was.

I'll keep going with the adlib, had her out hand grazing over in our winter paddock for half an hour 3 times a day also. Really can't risk turning her out with my lot until I get bloods back.

I'm not really a fan of hard feeds either
 
Thanks, I hadn't really thought of cushings. I assume the bloods will check for that also? As vet never mentioned it.
She doesn't have a thick coat but you're right, that's something else to ask her when she phones me back.
 
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