How to level out his weight?

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pottamus

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My lad lost loads of weight recently due to box rest for laminitis and when the vet gave him the all clear about 2/3 weeks ago she said he is the right weight now but I need to ensure he eats more now and does not drop any more weight...he is a Welsh D that is showing clear ribs now!
Since the vet he has been allowed grass and I am strip grazing him on a 20 foot wide strip and moving the fence 3 strides each day and leaving him loads of hay that he eats when he has stripped the grass off.
He is still loosing weight though and I need to stop this from getting too bad...but how on earth do I manage this when I am scared of giving him too much grass in case the laminitis comes back and he already has ad lib good hay (dry) and 2kg of hi fi & healthy hooves per day....?
Should I just give him more grass area so it lasts for the whole day instead of running out by lunch? He is in at night off the grass anyway and on hay.
 
If mine I wouldnt give him more grass and I would be a bit frost wary too though sure you know this.

I am surprised he is loosing weight still though? I only say that as frank is in good medium work (if that makes sense) and I know he gets grass in the day but if that was replaced with the hay he would still be holding his weight. The only hard feed he is getting is hifi and a handful of cheapy pony nuts!

Are you feeding this years hay? might be worth getting some analysed?

how about some speedibeet, that is lami ok and I am great fan of sugar beet.
 
If he's still loosing weight on adlib hay there's something wrong!

Are you sure he IS still loosing weight? - I can look at my boys and one day decide he's a good weight, the decide he's a little slim and the next decide he's a little fat.

don't give him any more grass. If needs be start giving him some speedibeet. Also make sure he's not cold! A thin horses (or even just a slim one) really feels the cold, so much mroe so than a plump or fat horse.
 
Echo Kalibear. I would add some speedibeet rather than give more grass and check that he is warm enough. If he is on limited turnout he may not be able to keep himself warm through exercise.
 
Thanks, I had his hay analysed - it is this years hay and it came back saying the sugar content was 10...which is actually very high! I may up his rug to a heavier one but when I check him he seems warm enough under his rug and around the base of his ears. All else seems fine to be honest. I have been weigh taping him weekly as per vet instructions so this is what I am going on as well as looking at him with a critical eye.
 
I would go with the speedibeet then. Its calorific but without the sugar but do be careful with his hay. If its as high sugar as you say it could trigger his lami again.
 
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