Hay belly help!

[BlackISH]

My 10 year old gelding has a huge hay belly! He’s on a track livery that strictly feeds hay and I am feeding him TopSpec lite balancer with isolate forageplus whey protein supplement everyday for months and it has not made a difference! I know his full history and he has always had access to ad-lib hay and grass available plus he is in no way girthy or in pain when i groom or touch his belly so I feel like the possibility of him having ulcers is extremely low. He’s not a massive foody like a lot of other horses either - I think this is because he’s always had access to food. He’s lost a lot of top line and muscle but he is in no way fat - not cresty in the least and absolutely no fat on his rump or bum. I think he probably needs more exercising because as of right now he’s barely ridden but there is no where to ride - I can ride in the surrounding fields if the weather and ground is decent but it never is.

He‘s horrendous for being stabled and I don’t agree with stabling anyway so moving to a conventional livery yard is not going to work for him.

Is there any better feed a should be using or other supplement? Or is there anything else I can do for him?

Any advice appreciated! TIA

 

[Tiddlypom]

Hay belly, loss of muscle and top line? I’d suggest getting him tested for PPID (Cushing’s). Is his worm count/worming program up to date?

 

[BlackISH]

Thanks for your reply!

He’s not got any other symptoms of Cushings and is a bit young to have it so the vet thought it was highly unlikely because of that and because he doesn’t have any odd fat distribution or laminitis. But, I’ll probably get him tested anyways

He was wormed a couple of months ago because he had a medium count for red worm - which I thought may have been the cause but I’ve not seen any improvement since worming. He was tested for all types though including tapeworm x

 

[be positive]

I would be concerned that something is going on, in theory keeping horses on a track should mean they move about a lot, keep their weight down and their muscles should be well maintained in the process, having a med count for red worm while on this type of livery would be my main concern as the restricted grazing needs to be kept clean in order for the horses to be free of worms, in my view more than on normal grazing because they have limited access so will eat down more closely.
I would get him tested for cushings and also recheck the worm situation, if he has had a worm burden and is still on the same land he will be picking up more eggs, as will the others, especially in this mild weather.
The other thing to consider is discomfort elsewhere causing loss of muscle over his topline, my retired horses are not really fed, other than hay, yet all have a decent topline even the one with cushings is looking great at the moment which I put down to having plenty of room to move and being out 24/7.

 

[Leo Walker]

you need the vet out. A horse with a distended stomach and muscle loss who is out moving about every day has something else going on and needs a decent vet.

 

[BlackISH]

you need the vet out. A horse with a distended stomach and muscle loss who is out moving about every day has something else going on and needs a decent vet.

I’ve had the vet out

 

[be positive]

I’ve had the vet out

You said the vet thought it wasn't cushings but no mention of what checks or tests were done, at the very least he requires bloods being tested, a thorough check over, trot up, flexion tests and his teeth being looked at, there are many possible reasons for what you describe but lack of exercise would not be the most obvious because he should have more than enough on the track.

 

[BlackISH]

You said the vet thought it wasn't cushings but no mention of what checks or tests were done, at the very least he requires bloods being tested, a thorough check over, trot up, flexion tests and his teeth being looked at, there are many possible reasons for what you describe but lack of exercise would not be the most obvious because he should have more than enough on the track.

The vet just told me to keep an eye on it, he did palpitate and listen to his belly received no reaction and found nothing, and said the likelihood of him having ulcers or Cushings was so low - but I’ll be getting him back out to do a blood test despite this. He’s very sound - barefoot and has no issues across rocky or pebbly surfaces. He has the dentist every 6months but is due so that may shed light on something.

He doesn’t actually get that much exercise; probably about the same as a horse that is turned out during the day and stabled at night. Generally if they are not eating or drinking they will just sleep or stand around. He’s an ex-riding school horse so doesn’t like to move himself at the best of times ?

 

[PurBee]

Sounds wormy. Echo others to recheck worming status.
Encysted red worms inhibit the intenstinal ability to absorb nutrients, so muscle loss is possible with a heavy burden, despite being on track livery.

The whey isolate is a milk product and could cause bloating/gas build-up due to the lactose. Although isolate is generally a lot lower lactose than other whey products.
If not worms id wonder about a digestive reaction to the whey. Test by stop feeding it for 8 weeks and monitor any changes.
Are his poops firm balls or loose?

Lastly, have you tried protexin probiotic tub for a few weeks? Its great for helping any bacterial gut imbalances. Firmed up my geldings poop when he was on a particular haylage brand.

 

[BlackISH]

Sounds wormy. Echo others to recheck worming status.
Encysted red worms inhibit the intenstinal ability to absorb nutrients, so muscle loss is possible with a heavy burden, despite being on track livery.

The whey isolate is a milk product and could cause bloating/gas build-up due to the lactose. Although isolate is generally a lot lower lactose than other whey products.
If not worms id wonder about a digestive reaction to the whey. Test by stop feeding it for 8 weeks and monitor any changes.
Are his poops firm balls or loose?

Lastly, have you tried protexin probiotic tub for a few weeks? Its great for helping any bacterial gut imbalances. Firmed up my geldings poop when he was on a particular haylage brand.

His poops are ball shaped but quite wet, if you know what I mean? they don’t break open upon hitting the ground though.

I used to give my last horse Protexin and it was brilliant! I think I will give him a go on that and look into the whey.

I did use a wormer that kills encysted red worm but I’m thinking it might be good to get him a worm count done again to check its actually worked x

 

[AmyMay]

He just sounds in let down winter mode. Once you’re able to work him I’d expect it to start coming off.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

I was thinking poor muscle which means the belly hangs lower.