Had a wondeful day :D Polocrosse and hacking! How is he looking?

[Kallibear]

Looks like fun If my stupid drama queen can learn to carry a great big common ride flag then I'm sure Andy will learn to accept the ball - he's already good with the stick obviously!

I'm afraid I do think he's swaybacked - steep angle down from loins etc. It's made to look worse because he's a bit skinny and it make him look less muscled than he is.

He is a bit poor but he doesn't look that thin - his neck and shoulders looks to have a reasonable covering on them and if you put your hand over the back part of the picture he actually looks ok. He looks like he's got very sprung ribs so he'll always be a little ribby even if fat. And his angular hips mostly come from his back confo.

 

[NOISYGIRL]

Cheers everyone, he does actually weigh more now than when we got him, hes putting it on gradually.
We're in the process of changing feeds atm. He was on pony nuts and alfa and we are changing him to A&P Calm and Condition, we're gradually building it up he's having about half what he's meant to have but tonight we upped it a bit more again, we're being very careful about changing to quickly. Once he is happy on this we are going to add a fed balancer, either blue chip or top spec, we add oil to his food aswell. He also has haylage available 24/7. As for the muscle tone- also working on that its going to take a while but we're getting there.
I don't think he is swayed back, I asked the vet if he was when he was getting vetted and he siad he doesn't think he is. Hopefully he isn't

only_me- I would love to continue doing it as a bit of down time, I'll keep working him with the ball and see how he goes

I'm a lover of Spillers High Fibre cubes, you can increase/decrease as necessary, you could give unmollassed sugar beet as well and Alfa A Oil or Alfa A and add some oil to his diet, this way you have calories without fizz, I read somewhere you can add up to a mug a day, I use sunflower oil, but I only use a little to give his coat a nice shine. Soya oil is good, you can get it in large containers which works out cheaper.

You are right taking it easy and increasing his food gradually, make sure he's warm enough too, he'll lose weight if he's cold. He looks a cute chap, pretty head

I'm not a lover of blue chip and others like it, it costs so much and might not be needed.

Give a general vitimin supplement instead.

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Looks like fun! sounds like you are really clicking with each other

however, if i am completely honest I think he looks terribly poor, quite shockingly actually. I thought the replies to your last post (with the jumping pics) would have answered that. A friend of mine bought a horse recently and i would say he had more weight on him than yours and the vet advised not to ride him at all until he put on weight. Is he being wormed regularly? also like someone else suggested, i would make sure you are rugging him adequatly to ensure he is not losing weight through this. Also not sure if you are doing this already but it might be an idea to switch from hay to haylage....my mare shoots up n weight with this! lol

 

[noodle_]

however, if i am completely honest I think he looks terribly poor, quite shockingly actually. I thought the replies to your last post (with the jumping pics) would have answered that. A friend of mine bought a horse recently and i would say he had more weight on him than yours and the vet advised not to ride him at all until he put on weight. Is he being wormed regularly? also like someone else suggested, i would make sure you are rugging him adequatly to ensure he is not losing weight through this. Also not sure if you are doing this already but it might be an idea to switch from hay to haylage....my mare shoots up n weight with this! lol

ditto ^

i wouldnt be riding him until he was built up more.... still lunge/long rein/walk in hand etc but in moderation...

ive had a tb who found it difficult to hold his weight in winter but he was still 'fatter' than your lad

sorry - harsh but you asked opinions

 

[Sally-FF]

Give him a few weeks off to put on some condition, the extra food you are giving him will be being worked off now you are doing more things with him. Why not give him three feeds a day, this way you can increase his amount without having to give him two huge feeds?

 

[galaxy]

Have to say I woud also be doing next to nothing with him until he'd put some more weight on. My friend has a tb x hann that I compete and he can srop off quite suddenly and we have to back right off the work otherwise he just doesn't pick up no matter what you feed him.

I've had great results with Equijewel. It's just something you add to their current feed and quantity wise you don't feed a lot so you could add it in immediately without having to worry. (my friends 16.1hh has a mug of it in each feed). He picks up really quick on this and reduced work load.

You mentioned hacking alone was an achievement. How about just plodding out on your own for a while, while he builds up?

 

[emm0r]

Looks like fun! sounds like you are really clicking with each other

however, if i am completely honest I think he looks terribly poor, quite shockingly actually. I thought the replies to your last post (with the jumping pics) would have answered that. A friend of mine bought a horse recently and i would say he had more weight on him than yours and the vet advised not to ride him at all until he put on weight. Is he being wormed regularly? also like someone else suggested, i would make sure you are rugging him adequatly to ensure he is not losing weight through this. Also not sure if you are doing this already but it might be an idea to switch from hay to haylage....my mare shoots up n weight with this! lol

as above
Maybe even feed a probiotic supplement such as equine gold to help him utilise his food properly

also what are u feeding with the C and C or did i miss that

 

[horsegirl]

hasn't the weight to turn to muscle .

It is not possible to turn weight (I assume fat?) into muscle. That's like saying I'm going to do some weights and turn this arm into a leg! You can utilise the energy stored in the fat to increase muscle or you can use the energy from feed to do the same.

 

[MrsMozart]

Already commented elsewhere re. weight/condition, so not doing it again.

Do you use an exercise sheet on him hun? Given that he's been clipped, although he still has his back on, it might help as we've had such awfully cold weather.