Oil in the summer? Plus a couple of pics

[jenbleep]

Or two

I fed soya oil to Charisma all winter as she tends to lose weight and I thought this might help keep condition without adding bulk to her feed. She looked great on it, really held her weight (might have dropped 1cm!!) but now we're coming into the summer I'm not sure if I should keep her on it.

I'm thinking no, because she's getting podgy, but want to keep her shiny...

Your thoughts? Do any of you guys feed oil all year round or only through winter?

Plus two photos from today. She hasn't been ridden for a week and a couple of days due to overdue shoeing so has gorged on grass....I think she looks a little round and can't wait to get her streamlined and fit again!

No conf crit please

 

[jmb]

In my opinion she looks great so I would stop feeding her oil. Remember if she starts to lose weight or condition you can always start feeding it again. Im a firm believer in feeding as less man made feeds and supplements as possible, I no this is impossible over winter and hard for many horses who need more feeding that grass provides. I am very lucky to own 2 ponies whom it would seem could thrive on thin air during the sumer months and are continued restricted grazing!!

 

[Abbeygale]

Jen - she's looking fab. I would personally drop the oil as well. I think if your grass is anything like our grass right now, she will be just fine without it.

 

[MegaBeast]

If she's holding her weight well then I'd stop the oil. Can always start it again if she drops off. She should stay shiny if she's well and on reasonable grass.

 

[posie_honey]

for coat you could add a squirt a day - i cant see that affecting weight too much if still ridden
mine has a squirt in each food over winter for coat and few calories - but is generally off work so doesn't need more - then has 2 squirts in each feed over summer as needs more energy - but her work load is pretty high

 

[Natalielodge]

she looks amazing! dont need to keep giving her oil through summer, she is looking lovely

 

[NOISYGIRL]

She looks lovely, if its for the shine you want, I can recommend Feel good 30 garlic and parsley oil, just 2 squirts a feed enough to keep them looking amazing, or you could just give less soya oil like a tablespoon instead of what you have been giving, will be enough

 

[jenbleep]

Thanks for your replies guys!

I'm happy you think she looks good, I might leave the oil until September or at least until the grass drops off. Another pony is coming to share it all soon so three will be grazing so I don't know how long it will last!

I'll just have to groom her EVERY DAY to keep that shine