He was too fat - now he's apparently too ribby. Help?

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blood_magik

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My RI commented that my boy's looking a little bit ribby :eek:

What do you think? I thought he was looking quite good :(

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Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest - he was more interested in his haynet than co-operating :cool:

This is him in May
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and in February (fat :rolleyes:)
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He gets ridden 5 times a week, usually for about 45 minutes to an hour and does a mixture of flatwork, hacking and jumping. He goes out between 8am and 3.30.

opinions?
 
He doesn't want to lose any more and you need to consider you are going into winter, but he is probably just about right. However, I don't think he is too fat in the earlier pics. Probably just on the fat end of 'good'. Now he is on the thin end of 'good'.
 
My vet says its if you can start to see the last rib that you should begin to worry (this was to bring me down to earth as my poor horse was so badly tucked up last week with his perontanitus (sp) and dropped weight off really really quickly). I was having complete kittens and holding my breath each time we checked under his rugs but - thank god - he seems to have turned a circle and is starting to put weight back on. Your boy looks fab. The only thing I can think of is that maybe your YO is looking at him and thinking as he is older, he should be going into winter with a bit extra? rather than on his proper working weight? certainly the older grass liveries at our yard are deliberately fattened up in August to give them some reserve.
 
Wagtail I would happen to agree with you too in that he doesn't want to lose any more especially as we are approaching winter. I also don't think he looked that fat in the earlier photos although I can understand that he didn't want to put any more on at that stage taking into account the spring grass that would have been just around the corner.
 
Luci07 said:
The only thing I can think of is that maybe your YO is looking at him and thinking as he is older, he should be going into winter with a bit extra? rather than on his proper working weight? certainly the older grass liveries at our yard are deliberately fattened up in August to give them some reserve.
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Thats a good point.
I've upped his haylage for the time being and I'm considering putting him back on D&H 16+ as he put weight on last winter when he was on it (first in the UK since he was a youngster).
He's stabled at night and rugged so he hopefully won't drop any more as it gets colder.
Our yard is a lot more exposed than the previous one so I'll be playing it by ear again when it comes to rugging.
 
I hate the way RI think they know everything!
he looks just right - its better to have a nice coverage going into winter, if you are desperately unsure seek advice from the professionals, but personally he looks great!
 
intouch said:
Looks more like ripples than ribs from here!!
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I have to agree!

I don't think 20 is particularly old, even for a TB. TBH I wouldn't want him any heavier at all. goodness knows what RI is talking about. If you are concerned, it would be worth asking the advice of an equine vet, whose opinion you trust.
 
I think he looks great?! :D Perhaos you RI was looking forward to the bad weather ahead? although my mare actually put on a load of weight last winter....cant win eh? :o
 
I think he looks spot on - and very shiny!! I agree with you - he was a bit porky in those earlier photos ;)

I'm chuckling to myself about the 'coming into winter' comments - it's only 1 September FGS! It's a well known fact that we usually get an autumn flush of grass so in a way nature usually takes care of nutrition coming into winter. I wouldn't panic and up his feed yet......

Merry Christmas :rolleyes:
 
Dancing Queen said:
I hate the way RI think they know everything!
he looks just right - its better to have a nice coverage going into winter, if you are desperately unsure seek advice from the professionals, but personally he looks great!
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Think they sometimes just can't help themselves saying this is wrong, change that, etc...Guess we all have to prove our worth!
 
I agree, he looks spot on and I wouldn't even say he was fat before hand... Your RI needs to reconsider her opinion as you have him in good condition :) lovely horse btw.
 
I think she was considering his age and the fact that it's getting cold already (boo).
I think I'll dig out my weight tape and keep a close eye on him - ill keep giving him a wee bit extra and If he loses any more then I'll be speaking to my vet.

I've never had a horse this old before so any advice is greatly appreciated, especially as I had my last horse in a hot country so management was totally different to over here :D
 
icestationzebra said:
I'm chuckling to myself about the 'coming into winter' comments - it's only 1 September FGS! It's a well known fact that we usually get an autumn flush of grass so in a way nature usually takes care of nutrition coming into winter. I wouldn't panic and up his feed yet......

Merry Christmas :rolleyes:
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Depends on where you stay, we had a couple of feet of snow in November last year (and Christmas is only 15 weeks 2 days away!!!!)
 
Your RI would have a fit if she saw my older exmoor. If he bends round you can see his ribs well and truly, but if I keep him with any more 'condition', he's susceptible to lami. Once the end of October nears, I give him much more and even allow the ribs to disappear completely, but it's a heck of a lot easier to put weight on than get it off (I'm talking about me, too, ha ha!).

Oops, nearly forgot! I think your boy looks fabulous!
 
I start feeding for condition mid September, I just add a pound of Calm and Condition [to his normal feed] by the end of September, and keep to that till Christmas, if there is any sign of weight loss during that time, I double up this "fattening" part of the feed. Jan to April he will be kept reasonably fit, this will help with his muscling, and any stiffness. he will probably need a kilo of Calm and Condition in addition to his chaff and "his feed for his work"
If the veteran mix worked for you, then I would go with it again.
Be aware that the autumn flush of grass is full of sugars and low in magnesium, its not particularly good feed for horses, I 'd rather increase the fibre in his feed [non molassed soaked sugar beet] to prevent him gorging on the green stuff.
 
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I'm the other end of the M8 (heading through your way this afternoon to Ingliston!!!!)
Mines is 23yo now and after a bit of drama last year (tested and discovered Cushings at end of September) she's now having great fun, she goes out late and comes in early due to being lami prone because of the cushings, she wears plenty of rugs in the winter, most with neck covers.
She didn't go out in all the snow last year i)she was still getting over the lami attack because of the cushings ii) a yard not far from us (also a riding school) had 3 horses put down within weeks of each other because they broke legs in the snow iii)you know yourself how much snow we all got last year rather early and there was nothing in the fields for them to eat, cue charging round the fields kicking each other and generally acting like a fanny. They got turned out in the indoor school instead a couple at a time!!!!

He looks fine, coming up for the winter it's easier to get weight off rather than put it on (mine is TB x Danish WB, but looks very TB), good rugs to keep them warm are a must, other than her medication for her cushings she doesn't get a whole lot to eat (if she didn't need to get the medication she wouldn't get anything as a bit psychotic at the moment).

Who's your RI (PM me if you want).
 
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