Nicole-Louise
Well-Known Member
At the moment, out of 21 horses on the yard, there are at least 15 that are struggling with weight. However, approximately 17 of them are all cobs, and the other 4 are an Arab, 2 thoroughbreds and my girl who is an Irish Sport Horse. These 4 are struggling the most, even though the cobs are losing their weight quite badly.
One of the thoroughbreds is 5 years old and an ex-racer, he is on 3 feeds a day, ad lib hay and turnout during the day and stabled at night. Last week he had put on s much weight. Within a week he has lost everything (even though feeds, turnout etc are all the same), and has started to tuck up VERY badly. And he isn't keeping his weight on at all.
My 3 year old is also the same. She is on 3 feeds a day, balancers, ad lib hay, long periods of turnout in varying fields. Her weight was perfect the other week, however, she too has started losing weight, she's lost her covering on her ribs slightly and is starting to tuck up. She is only in light work to keep her ticking and try to slowly build her up, but even this isn't enough. She's also double rugged, lightweight stable rug underneath, and a heavyweight rug on the top. Have checked and she isn't too hot, she's a comfortable warmth. She's eating and drinking plenty too..
However, I did notice when my mare was eating the other day, she'd stop and start swinging her head constantly to her stomach, would bite at it, keep flicking her tail then carry on eating. If you touch around her flank, she tucks her stomach in. I've been keeping an eye on her, and others have too and she's acting her usual self. No other signs.
Both are up to date with vaccinations, worming etc. Although we are having worm counts done as precautions again. We've tried everything, from build up feed which both are still on, stabling, balancers, etc. They're losing weight rapidly.
Does anyone have any idea what to try? In spring she triples her weight, they both do. But it's worrying to see them like this in such a short time
One of the thoroughbreds is 5 years old and an ex-racer, he is on 3 feeds a day, ad lib hay and turnout during the day and stabled at night. Last week he had put on s much weight. Within a week he has lost everything (even though feeds, turnout etc are all the same), and has started to tuck up VERY badly. And he isn't keeping his weight on at all.
My 3 year old is also the same. She is on 3 feeds a day, balancers, ad lib hay, long periods of turnout in varying fields. Her weight was perfect the other week, however, she too has started losing weight, she's lost her covering on her ribs slightly and is starting to tuck up. She is only in light work to keep her ticking and try to slowly build her up, but even this isn't enough. She's also double rugged, lightweight stable rug underneath, and a heavyweight rug on the top. Have checked and she isn't too hot, she's a comfortable warmth. She's eating and drinking plenty too..
However, I did notice when my mare was eating the other day, she'd stop and start swinging her head constantly to her stomach, would bite at it, keep flicking her tail then carry on eating. If you touch around her flank, she tucks her stomach in. I've been keeping an eye on her, and others have too and she's acting her usual self. No other signs.
Both are up to date with vaccinations, worming etc. Although we are having worm counts done as precautions again. We've tried everything, from build up feed which both are still on, stabling, balancers, etc. They're losing weight rapidly.
Does anyone have any idea what to try? In spring she triples her weight, they both do. But it's worrying to see them like this in such a short time
