How few is too few?

[Coblover63]

Poo's, that is?? I've had my traditional cob mare for 3 years. She's around 8 or 9, with a deep girth and like all cobs she seems to inhale calories from the air! I'm finally (since March) on a livery yard where I can manage her paddock myself, using electric rope (thankfully she is terrified of leccy fencing). She is in about a quarter of her whole paddock at the mo and whilst the grass is short, it's not what I'd call "sparse". She has been on restricted grazing since the spring grass came through and although I'd say her weight is about the same, she doesn't produce many poos in one 24 hour period. When the grass was more spring-like she had lots of energy and pep when being ridden, but still behaved. But she didn't get runny poo or footsore, so I felt I'd got the balance right. Now that we're into summer grass, she's "fine" to ride, quite push-button but not energy-less. No spinal gutter, apple-bum or fat ripples.... but I can't feel her ribs either!! Despite everything, because of the lack of poo, I can't help worrying that she's not actually getting enough to eat and worry that she'll develop ulcers.... but then why isn't she looking slimmer??? Aaaargh!!!!

 

[Widgeon]

My cob doesn't seem to poo much either - maybe 8 or 10 in 24 hours. By contrast the TB mare in the paddock next to him churns between 14 and 20 in the same time frame. I've been wondering about this myself as I've been poo picking. My cob puts on weight easily but the TB doesn't. Maybe metabolism is the answer - it's going into the cob but rather than coming out as poo he's just packing on the pounds? Or is that too simplistic? I will join you in awaiting the opinions of a poo expert....

ETA, I am not the slightest bit worried that my horse is not eating. He could win awards for it. I've stood and watched him!

 

[planete]

I do not go by the number of poos but by the total volume. Fifteen smaller poos from the thoroughbred may well be less poo than ten from the cob.

 

[C1airey]

I do not go by the number of poos but by the total volume. Fifteen smaller poos from the thoroughbred may well be less poo than ten from the cob.

This. New mare poos once every 3hrs like clockwork. Leaves a knee-high pile that almost breaks your wrist to try scrape into a poo scoop.

The gelding poos here, there and everywhere, but by volume, they’re about the same.

 

[Widgeon]

I do not go by the number of poos but by the total volume. Fifteen smaller poos from the thoroughbred may well be less poo than ten from the cob.

Funnily enough that's not the case - they are all about the same size. So the volume I take out of the TB's field is about double that of the cob's. It must be down to metabolism and grass I think - the TB has more grass, and also she doesn't seem to put on weight, despite spending her life doing nothing but eating, whereas the cob is ridden.