Horses Weight

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vicksey

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Help, Ive been working so hard to get my horses weight down, was just wondering if people didnt mind sharing their horses weight so I have a rough idea wheather Im on the right tracks or not. I have a 14.3 just touching 15h cob x clyde gelding currently weighing in at 435 on the measuring tape. He was 485 at the end of summer. He looks in good condition but Im getting conflicting messages about maintaining him the way he is or loosing a little bit more weight. All advise welcome. Thanks!
 
Hi, my 14.2 connemara x weight 430kg, looks too light at the moment. hes lost lots of muscle/top line and ribs showing. He had laminitis last year and lost lots of weight on the box rest soaked hay he had. He never put the weight back on.
So 435kg for cob x clydie wouldnt have thought wouldnt want to lose anymore weight!
Dodson and horrell have a good condition scoring. Am sure its on the website.
xx
 
Whilst using a weight tape is great for monitoring whether a horse is losing, gaining or maintaining weight, to actually assess whether he is the correct weight it is better to condition score - that is assess the fat cover on neck, ribs and quarters. If your horse is the ideal weight you should be able to feel his ribs easily but not see them.

An individual horse's conformation will affect the measurement on the weight tape - for example a deep chested 15 hander could measure, say, 450kg on the tape and be an ideal weight, but a narrow chested 15 hander giving the same measurement could be overweight.
 
Thanks for that, yes Im happy with him at the moment but come summer he's going to ballon again so going to have to be really careful...muzzle and restricted grassing etc! Thanks for that though its very helpful!!!! Good luck with your horse! xx
 
I can feel his ribs but not see them, his pelvis is visable and no crest at all. Its difficult as I am surrounded by TB's and eventers that are stuggling to hold their weight??? Thanks for that though! Will continue with the tape measure and also refer to condition scoring xx
 
My horse is a Clydey x Highland and was 795 kg in July, he is now 740 kg. We need to get down to 690 kg due to his bone spavin, side bone, and previously split DDFT.

I would say that yours at this weight without a cresty neck, clearly defined, neck to shoulder to barrel areas or a gutter down his back would be fine.

I am dreading grass season.
 
from past experience as in i have cobs, this time of year i really try to get as much weight off before the grass appears, so hopefully helping with the waist!! its best to see a bit of rib indentation (not ribs!! just slight shadow before people have a go at me)

natives have evolved to loose some condition over our winter and regain with the spring grass, if you start with to much condition the spring grass only adds more
 
Thanks so much everyone, i feel like Im on the right tracks now having these opinions. Yes I can see a shawdow round the ribs, like you say not the actual ribs, my saddler came yesterday and said he looks great and he's started going out with the muzzle on as we have opened up some fields which has some v nice grass in so starting with the preventative methods early. He is 'good' on the condition scoring so maybe we can drop a little more weight before the summer really kicks in. It's heart breaking at times but you have to do whats best dont you and hope they thank you in the end for it hehe!
 
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