Don’t feel like I’m feeding cob correctly

If you want to keep it really simple, topspec lite balancer, or similar, can be fed on its own, no need for chaff. Or alternatively a mineral lick and salt lick

Soak any hay.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Mmmm........ all I would say with a cob is don't overfeed; and be aware that they generally tend to be VERY good doers.

I would get her weight-checked as a priority. Weigh-tape is useful, but we have had someone at our yard who comes with a mobile weighbridge and gives you a weight-check - invaluable then to compare this with your weight-tape and see the comparison - it was a standing joke with our old vet that his weight-tape and ours was usually at about a 40k variance!

What is your grazing like? Especially at this time of year. All I would say is be very very careful the grass isn't too rich. We converted to "Track system" here purely because strip-grazing just wasn't/isn't sufficient to manage the weight of my cob. You really do need to consider this especially now we are in the Spring growing season. You do not want laminitis! And unfortunately these sorts of horses will tend towards obesity. With mine it is a continual struggle. What I've found effective in fittening is fast-walking; I'm not talking about a leisurely walk, this is a good productive forward walk!! It has been invaluable in obtaining and maintaining fitness for mine - particularly so as we have to do a lot of roadwork and don't want to be doing a lot of trotting on the roads. It has helped that I ride-out with a friend on her TB so mine has to walk faster to keep up!

Re. the garlic, may I ask why you are feeding it?? It is contra-indicated in horses with any sort of itchy problem (vet advice) - so won't be helping the itchy issues; my vet mixes up an ivermectin mixture for feather-mite so it might be worth asking yours.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much, great advice here. I am really worried about the risk of laminitis but I also worry about her not being turned out enough, going to have to get a muzzle it looks like.
Ah I’m glad you said the walking does them good, I didn’t feel like it was enough of a workout but will continue with it.
I’m waiting for our measurement tape to come, dreading seeing those numbers but will be a good starting point because I’m guessing at the min.
As for the garlic, I’ve just carried that on from prev owner so will give that a miss going fwd.
In regards to the notes the vet said they were having probs getting hold of the Ivermectin but that is something I’m calling them back over this week 🤞🏻
 
Feed wise buy a spring balance (I got mine from a well known auction site) and weigh your hay. The amount and quality of forage that she eats will have a far greater baring on her weight.

This is an absolutely fabulous resource by the Blue Cross in relation to equine obesity. Well worth downloading the PDF and having a read, much more info on the Fat Horse Slim PFF reached from the webpage I've linked to.

Fat Horse Slim

Fat Horse Slim | Blue Cross https://www.bluecross.org.uk/fat-horse-slim
www.bluecross.org.uk www.bluecross.org.uk

Edited to fix link - hopefully!
 
Last edited:
alibali said:
Feed wise buy a spring balance (I got mine from a well known auction site) and weigh your hay. The amount and quality of forage that she eats will have a far greater baring on her weight.

This is an absolutely fabulous resource by the Blue Cross in relation to equine obesity. Well worth downloading the PDF and having a read, much more info on the Fat Horse Slim PFF reached from the webpage I've linked to.

Fat Horse Slim

Fat Horse Slim | Blue Cross https://www.bluecross.org.uk/fat-horse-slim
www.bluecross.org.uk www.bluecross.org.uk

Edited to fix link - hopefully!
Click to expand...
Thank you, will have a look now 😃
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top