Fat all over? Unusual fat distribution *with pics*

Ok thanks, I was looking at them on internet and may as well get one, its worth a shot after all
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Your post has made me feel so much better!!!! Thanks.
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My 31 yr old has similar problems with these fatty lumps but you can still see his ribs!!!His lumps come up very quickly and go down if he is removed from the grass. Hes a TB cross and looks more TB than native. He has these lumps on his neck and looks obese on his bum but hes not overweight in the true sense. When the lumps come up he looks almost like a cob! I know this doesnt help much but at least you know other people are in the same situation!
 
Thats really interesting, thanks! I wonder if it could be some sort of reaction to new growth in grass or something, very odd! Ah well, at least we're not alone
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Can you get him tested for crushings? What's his winter coat like?

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I am going to get him tested for cushings just in case. He doesn't have any symptoms, his winter coat is very fine (for a cob!), but I have seen him peeing more
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I think the magnesium/calcium thing is worth trying. I sometimes get lumps around my ankles which I have been told are due to calcium build up - it might be a similar thing? (though don't take my word for it, I'm no expert).
 
Definitely try putting him on a magnesium supplement. Fat patches are often a sign of a metabolic disorder and magnesium has been shown as one of the essential minerals that many horses are lacking and it helps with fat patches.

As someone else said, at his age, it may be worth getting some tests done for cushings/insulin resistence etc. He could be pre-cushings, so its worth getting his diet right now to help him for the future, ie low sugar/starch feeds, restrict his grazing if necessary (I use a muzzle on my warmblood and whilst she doesn't particularly like it, it has kept her sound, fit and happy this summer and means she can be out with her friends instead of stuck in her box, but it is a personal decision and I know many people don't like to use them)

There is a really good Yahoo Group on Metabolic Horses which may give you some good advice.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/TheMetabolicHorse/
 
Thanks, I will try a magnesium supplement, its worth a shot. I have been looking at that yahoo group too, just need to actually join! I'm wanting an insulin resistance test too, as well as cushings, I think it might be a safe assumption he has something like that
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I think that he looks fantatic for his age! Im afraid Im not much help but i just thought that Id mention that we used to have a pony with a very simular fat distribution and it was because he had done alot of showing as a youngster and had been given steriods.
 
Our pony has Cushings, and although she has the fatty crest and bum she doesn't look like Chex. She has a pot belly, and also pads of fat over her eyes. Also his coat looks great, and a thick winter coat all year is also a sign of cushings. I would think it could be something to do with his sweetitch, as those are prime rubbing areas. He looks in great condition for his age so I wouldn't worry too much unless he shows any other symptoms.
 
Yeah, I don't think he looks like he has cushings either
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. I hadn't thought that it could be related to his sweetitch, but that would make some sort of sense
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. Gah, why are horses so complicated
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