Lacking energy with coat change?

[Becca-84]

Does anyone else notice this? Every year as Vinnie changes his coat (both into summer and into winter) he seems to lose all energy for a couple of weeks. Ive never noticed it with my previous horses so don't know if its common/normal? He is worked 5-6 days a week, either 40mins schooling or 2hrs hacking, turned out 7.30-5.30 every day and fed handful mollichaff extra, handful high fibre cubes, small measure of linseed and a sprinkle of salt twice a day. Is it worth trying global herbs restore or something or as previous years, do I just give him an easy couple of weeks?

 

[eggs]

In Reiner Klimke's story of Ahrleich he made the comment that he didn't work him when he was changing coat as he thought it took too much out of a horse.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

Yes. Had mine 10 years and always happens. Also notice the higher number of posts about feeding for more energy. My view, leave them until the weather changes. At the moment winter coat coming through but weather still mild equals a warm lethargic horse.

I just adapt to riding to how he feels by slowing it down and expecting less. And rude every other day for a stretch of the legs more than anything else.

And then clip when fully coated and more energy as he gets uncomfortable with sweat when riding.

 

[Becca-84]

Yep thats what I've always done in the past, just wondered whether it was an underlying issue. Will continue as I am

 

[Mrs G]

Oh that could explain my boy at the moment; admittedly he is inclined to laziness but the last couple of weeks he's been such hard work! I was trying to think what had changed as previously he had been going really well, and it does match up with his coat changing... x

 

[Bay_pony]

I am experiencing the same with my pony. I've had him 2 years this October. It happened this time last year and I was not sure why he seemed lethargic, even on slightly cooler days. This year I have last years experience to go on so assume the same thing is happening. He's a Welsh c so grows a lovely winter coat which I should imagine takes quite a bit of energy to produce!

 

[hollyandivy123]

propell plus horse supplement, find this helps. the older the one horse got the more this seemed to effect him.

I guess having to grow more hair over your body can effect your spare energy levels. we use to call it black berry or bramble coat, always took the edge of