How's my Yearling Weight? *Pics*

3Beasties

3Beasties

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I posted last week asking about feed for yearlings as I was worried about Pixie dropping weight suddenly

(here's the post if anyone wants to see it http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/sh...rue#Post5310529 )

These pictures were taken yesterday
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How do you think she looks?



And just for comparison this is her about a month ago (sorry about the mud
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I don't think she's particularly under weight at the moment but I'm just a bit worried about the amount of weight she has lost!
 
She's fine
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horses are 'desinged' to lose weight in the winter, and pile it on in the spring summer....i would be more worried if she still looked like the last picture as wouldnt be too good going in to spring with that extra weight!
 
She looks much better in the first set of photos. Youngsters are better off being kept light. It's better for their developing joints, particularly in the first two years. She looks absolutely fine. If you can just feel her ribs, and see them slightly when she moves, you've got her weight just right. If you're worried about her dropping any more before Spring, add another section of hay to her daily amount.
 
Looks fine to me too. My youngsters have all dropped a bit of weight over the last couple of weeks but I am glad as I also don't like to see them carrying too much weight and know that the spring grass is just around the corner.

Just make sure she is getting adequate vits and mins in her diet.
 
looks like she has had a growth spurt and lost a bit from going up the way. I wouldnt want her any lighter if she was mine tho.
Just make sure she is getting enough growing feed
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Just realised she is actually a 2yo and presuming welsh, sorry but i would want see more weight
 
She's nearly 18 months old so not two yet.

ETA - Yes I think she has had a growth spurt, she looks longer in the back I think.
 
I disagree about her needing more weight. I really do. She's well enough covered. Her ribs aren't visible in any of the photos. Her neck and quarters are well shaped. No signs of muscle loss any where. She's croup high due to a growth spurt and looking 'gangly' but that's normal at her age. No, I think she looks fine.

As long as she's receiving appropriate vits, mins and quality protein for her age and size, plus good quality forage daily and is being kept warm - she'll be fine.

A sudden growth spurt will temporarily result in a slight loss of weight at this age, but it's soon regained without having to increase the hard feed. I agree with giving more forage if the OP has a real concern.
 
She's fine. From her legs, she has simply grown a lot very recently, and they drop weight when they do that. But going into spring you don't want a youngster with immature joints any heavier than that. Personally I think that in the earlier photo, for that time of year, she is too fat.
 
Suregrow is a great youngstock supplement. I like it as it remains constant and you can up or down the rest of their feed according to their weight.
 
My filly seems to be doing the same as your - looked exactly like the hairy muddy pic one a few weeks ago - still getting fed same and taken rug off this weekend and seems to have lost a bit of weight, but looking more stretched out (she is 19 months). I'm not concerned - putting it down to a growth spurt.
 
Carrying far too much weight in last pic,looks much better in 1st and 2nd
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Youngsters shouldnt be overweight,puts way too much stress on growing joints and bones
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She looks absolutely fine in the first pics and if anything she is overweight in the last. Continue as you are. Spring is almost here and I can assure you she will fill out on the grass and be a nice size to go into next winter... that said you wouldn't want her fat going into winter... just a bit of a covering..
 
If you're not feeding any hard feed, or a mix, cube or balancer up to the recommended rates, I'd invest in a suitable youngstock supplement. Something like NAF Youngstock NAF Youngstock or D&H Surelimb Surelimb. One of these would ensure she got the additional vit & mins she needs at this stage of her development and it can be fed mixed with a small amount of chaff each day.

An alternative to a powder supplement, particularly if she's living out most of the time, would be to buy a block vit/min supplement to leave in her field. She and the other horses she shares her grazing with could then access it ad-lib. For example, here's one Pasture Block

As for feeding D&H Sure Grow, I'm not so sure it's necessary. It's designed principly for fast growing TB's - which your little girl isn't. Last thing you would want to do is force her growth or feed her excess protein if she's doing so well your present regime.

I'd carry on as you are and consider using a youngstock supplement if you already aren't. That, plus plenty of good quality hay, and she'll continue to do well, I'm sure.
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