cronkmooar
Well-Known Member
There was quite a bit of it on the other thread - especially how he seemed to be enjoying himself
Please read. RE: Andy's Weight and Management
- Thread starter Kokopelli
- Start date
MrsMozartletoe
Just passing through...
I think the gist here is that the OP has got upset and people have got defensive on her behalf, whereas in other instances that has not been the case.
There definitely should not be nastiness, etc., and any horrible PM senders should be roundly seen to (TFC), but people will comment on the horse's condition and that he was competing.
The OP made a mistake, one that I doubt she will ever make again. Many people will have learnt a lot from this and the other thread, so from every cloud comes a silver lining.
Kokopelli
Well-Known Member
MrsM you talk a lot of sense. Yes it was a bi gmistake and I will never do that again.
As for equijewel I've been recommended that by many people so might give it a try thank you.
CalllyH
Well-Known Member
yep but shes a nice girl and an established forum member with a new horse she is getting to know and learning with. Im really sorry to hear about the PM's - thats just not needed
MrsMozartletoe
Just passing through...
It's splendid stuff
. Hasn't fizzed up any of the neds I've known it used for, is easy to manage, doesn't cost a fortune (I found that feeding half the recommended amount for the Dizz worked very well), and all the horses love it Look forward to seeing how he goes.
pinktiger
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone
yorksg- I'm am not going to compete him, but I will continue to ride him he won't ever build the muscle up unless he is ridden
O dear you have had a tricky time on here of late! Yes your chap is lean you have never argued that!!! BUT what amazes me is, if your picture was of an overweight horse with fat on muscle on top line i doubt you wouldve got the reaction you did<> BUT<> in my book competing an overweight flabby horse is worse and is more detromental than competing a lean one, (for very obvious reasons, strain on limbs,strain on heart, strain on lungs,strain on joints, tendons,ligaments, tissues fibres list goes on and on)
Go with what the people who know you and the horse are telling you!! He does need good work/feed ratio to gain correct topline (which is a credit to you for working out, as you would be suprised how many people still feed high amounts or starches/sugars in order to gain topline>(with awful concequences)< and which of course we all know is a myth, and good true topline only comes from 'correct work' and feeding reigime!
Cant wait to see more pics of your chap as he comes on, best of luck!!!!x
Saxon_Jasmine
Well-Known Member
I've PM'ed you (don't worry, it's not critisising you )
)
DH1
Well-Known Member
You are always the voice of reason, thankfully, Mrs M.
It's very difficult however not to be defensive on Kokos behalf, when you have followed her story over the last 6 months.
It's very difficult however not to be defensive on Kokos behalf, when you have followed her story over the last 6 months.
el_Snowflakes
Well-Known Member
Well I think you can discount the opinions of those who sent you nasty PMs, and im sure admin will deal with them. I hope you didnt take offence to my comment as I can assure you that was not my intention. You shouldnt need to come on here and explain your actions to others. I can see that you take great care of Andy and you also got lots of compliments (try to see them, sometimes its easier to accept critisism!) However when you take horses to shows, 'showing' is exactly what you are doing and people are inclined to comment and judge. I posted some pics of my mare today and i fortunatly didnt get any negative comments, howver I wouldnt have posted if I knew something was quite obviously wrong. I would lay off the shows for now just relax and have fun together. Remember hes yours forever now so theres no rush. I may be completely wrong here (feel free to correct me if so) but because you lost your old horse unexpectedly perhaps your in a rush to do things with andy incase he is taken from you? Either way, you make a great team. Slow down, feed up and enjoy! looking forward to seeing him improving ;-)
kezimac
Well-Known Member
IGNORE THEM!!!!!!! Cannot believe you have had nasty PM's. Jesus people really are ar*e holes.
Just keep on feeding him if you can add another feed in during the day - do so as well. Veg or soya oil good too. Just keep on doing what you are and work gently at home lunging and riding long and low and will soon build up. I woudnt compete yet - the travelling does take it out of them.
Good luck and keep chin up, take lots of photos so you can look back and see the difference once he is up to weight
Just keep on feeding him if you can add another feed in during the day - do so as well. Veg or soya oil good too. Just keep on doing what you are and work gently at home lunging and riding long and low and will soon build up. I woudnt compete yet - the travelling does take it out of them.
Good luck and keep chin up, take lots of photos so you can look back and see the difference once he is up to weight
ladyt25
Well-Known Member
If you want my honest opinion I would ask why you feel you need to justify yourself to a load of strangers on a forum?! I also never understand why people feel the need to send anyone an abusive personal message - honestly it's like a being back at school!!!
I didn't comment on your other post, I didn't see the need. I thought your horse looked a little light weight but it is that rubbish time of year when some horses are a struggle to keep weight on but your horse does not look like he is unhappy and you jumped one 85cm course - it's not exactly a challenge for horse!!!
i once had a little TB x on loan who looked horrendous when I got him (he'd just got over a virus) He didn't look great in his coat and in addition he had a broken nose as a result from an old hunting injury - all in all he was not the prettiest to look at! Lol. He gained loads of weight over time but he is the only horse I knew that could actually shed what seemed like half his body weight if he ever got stressed for instance if he could not see his field companions when he was in the stables.
Keep on with what you're doing, I am sure he'll put on weight in the spring. I have seen much 'crueller' riders who are probably about 3 times your bodyweight yet insist on slumping on the backs of their LW TBs and expect them to carry them around a XC course!
oh, and another feed tip - Allen and Page weight gain - great stuff!
I didn't comment on your other post, I didn't see the need. I thought your horse looked a little light weight but it is that rubbish time of year when some horses are a struggle to keep weight on but your horse does not look like he is unhappy and you jumped one 85cm course - it's not exactly a challenge for horse!!!
i once had a little TB x on loan who looked horrendous when I got him (he'd just got over a virus) He didn't look great in his coat and in addition he had a broken nose as a result from an old hunting injury - all in all he was not the prettiest to look at! Lol. He gained loads of weight over time but he is the only horse I knew that could actually shed what seemed like half his body weight if he ever got stressed for instance if he could not see his field companions when he was in the stables.
Keep on with what you're doing, I am sure he'll put on weight in the spring. I have seen much 'crueller' riders who are probably about 3 times your bodyweight yet insist on slumping on the backs of their LW TBs and expect them to carry them around a XC course!
oh, and another feed tip - Allen and Page weight gain - great stuff!
Shysmum
Well-Known Member
i've read these threads with great interest, as I was shocked by the pics tbh, sorry Koko.
I think peeps who have worked with underweight horses may agree with this - stop all work for the forseeable, and concentrate on frequent small meals. turning out/ leading round will be enough exercise for now. No way would I ride Andy atm till he's had a good chance to pick up, esp as his back seems very weak. Then I would start off long reining and leading round, not lunging, as lunging places a lot of strain on joints to start off with, and gradually build it up from there.
With all work stopped, he will have the best chance to get back to health, and by the summer you'll be beating the others hands down.
Good luck, sm xx
I think peeps who have worked with underweight horses may agree with this - stop all work for the forseeable, and concentrate on frequent small meals. turning out/ leading round will be enough exercise for now. No way would I ride Andy atm till he's had a good chance to pick up, esp as his back seems very weak. Then I would start off long reining and leading round, not lunging, as lunging places a lot of strain on joints to start off with, and gradually build it up from there.
With all work stopped, he will have the best chance to get back to health, and by the summer you'll be beating the others hands down.
Good luck, sm xx
Kokopelli
Well-Known Member
I really think you've hit the nail on the head. I'm so frightened of losing him I don't want to miss a minute and didn't realise I'm putting him at risk.
IGNORE THEM!!!!!!! Cannot believe you have had nasty PM's. Jesus people really are ar*e holes.
Just keep on feeding him if you can add another feed in during the day - do so as well. Veg or soya oil good too. Just keep on doing what you are and work gently at home lunging and riding long and low and will soon build up. I woudnt compete yet - the travelling does take it out of them.
Good luck and keep chin up, take lots of photos so you can look back and see the difference once he is up to weight
We have him on soya oil and I think its done well
Good idea with the pictures, it will be nice to get a before and after.Thank you
I haven't looked into to weight gain but might be worth a look, thanks
Thank you for the advice, I am pretty much willing to try anything with him, I feel so awful thinking I've been harming him
SophieLouBee
Well-Known Member
Oh koko 
I'm really sad to read that people have been vile about this.
We can all see that Andy is underweight, and yes the competition probably was a mistake. He's a TB, it's winter, he hasn't any topline and looks sway backed to me, this all being combined makes him look alot worse than it would if he was just underweight. However, there is some muscle coverage over his shoulders and he looks happy in all the photos.
It's obvious you are doing the right things to help him in general, you can't just bang loads of food into underweight horses. They need small regular meals, built up very slowly! Which is what you are doing. If you give him too much food all at once it'll just make him ill (so don't feel like you have to do this because of things being said)
I do agree that you should slow down the work untill he puts some more weight on and develops more topline, and I'm sure you can see that now too. I can't see anything wrong with plodding about the lanes or a few mins in the school though. You don't look as if your weight is going to be detrimental to his back.
Just take the positive advice that people have given you, and use your own mind, you know Andy better than we do. I personally think it'd be more of an issue if Andy looked like he was suffering, which he doesn't from the pics, he looks happy, loved and like he is enjoying life.
I wasn't that shocked by the photos, I've seen plenty worse being ridden and said to be 'competition fit', with backbreaking riders, out competing every weekend.
Koko, take the positives, ignore the negatives and enjoy Andy, he obviously loves you.
I'm really sad to read that people have been vile about this.
We can all see that Andy is underweight, and yes the competition probably was a mistake. He's a TB, it's winter, he hasn't any topline and looks sway backed to me, this all being combined makes him look alot worse than it would if he was just underweight. However, there is some muscle coverage over his shoulders and he looks happy in all the photos.
It's obvious you are doing the right things to help him in general, you can't just bang loads of food into underweight horses. They need small regular meals, built up very slowly! Which is what you are doing. If you give him too much food all at once it'll just make him ill (so don't feel like you have to do this because of things being said)
I do agree that you should slow down the work untill he puts some more weight on and develops more topline, and I'm sure you can see that now too. I can't see anything wrong with plodding about the lanes or a few mins in the school though. You don't look as if your weight is going to be detrimental to his back.
Just take the positive advice that people have given you, and use your own mind, you know Andy better than we do. I personally think it'd be more of an issue if Andy looked like he was suffering, which he doesn't from the pics, he looks happy, loved and like he is enjoying life.
I wasn't that shocked by the photos, I've seen plenty worse being ridden and said to be 'competition fit', with backbreaking riders, out competing every weekend.
Koko, take the positives, ignore the negatives and enjoy Andy, he obviously loves you.
Sussexbythesea
Well-Known Member
I must admit I was thinking of JadeyandLLadey too - people were extremely critical of her and far more people were downright nasty.
Kokopelli - I refrained from commenting on the photo's which TBH shocked me but as everyone had said what I would have - some nicely some not so nicely I didn't see the point in saying it again. I also know that you recently lost a horse and I have been following your updates on Andy so know you are a genuinely caring owner this is why I was probably more shocked than normal. Much as it hurts to face the truth I think if you were to condition score him from looking at the prominence of his hips and spine I think he would be either a 3 thin or even a 2 very thin.
http://www.saracen-horse-feeds.co.uk/feedcheck/condition_scoring/
I also recommend Equijewel or slightly cheaper Omega Rice which is also based on stabilised rice bran.
Try to take the good from this experience and be thankful that so many people are very supportive of you. Lastly I hope to see both Andy and your partnership grow over time
paddi22
Well-Known Member
he absolutely looks loved and very happy. The danger would be that TBs are so big hearted and give their all, that he would push himself a bit too hard, and then lose willingness or confidence if he suffers physical pain and soreness, or just mental overload with all the new stuff he's being asked to do. He might be super keen at the start but he won't stay that way if he is being pushed too fast.
He is learning so many skills that he hasn't used before. Even getting his head around the basic dressage moves is a huge change mentally and physically. My lad has a huge heart and is very willing but I take things super slowly with him so he never loses confidence or doubts his ability.
He is learning so many skills that he hasn't used before. Even getting his head around the basic dressage moves is a huge change mentally and physically. My lad has a huge heart and is very willing but I take things super slowly with him so he never loses confidence or doubts his ability.
foxy1
Well-Known Member
I must admit I was thinking of JadeyandLLadey too - people were extremely critical of her and far more people were downright nasty.
Kokopelli - I refrained from commenting on the photo's which TBH shocked me but as everyone had said what I would have - some nicely some not so nicely I didn't see the point in saying it again. I also know that you recently lost a horse and I have been following your updates on Andy so know you are a genuinely caring owner this is why I was probably more shocked than normal. Much as it hurts to face the truth I think if you were to condition score him from looking at the prominence of his hips and spine I think he would be either a 3 thin or even a 2 very thin.
http://www.saracen-horse-feeds.co.uk/feedcheck/condition_scoring/
I also recommend Equijewel or slightly cheaper Omega Rice which is also based on stabilised rice bran.
Try to take the good from this experience and be thankful that so many people are very supportive of you. Lastly I hope to see both Andy and your partnership grow over time
100% agree with this. I personally would not be riding this horse at all but may lunge in pessoa for short periods (10-15 mins max)
Maybe instructor/vet/friends don't want to say anything due to the sad loss of your other horse.
Good Luck
emm0r
Well-Known Member
Just a point (not nastily dont shoot me down) The same as people horses need some fat to turn into muscle So i can see what you mean about you want to muscle him however maybe giving him a few weeks / month off to get in better condition before you begin working and lunging is much harder than say going for a walk down the road as its stressful on their limbs (this may have been said already sorry if it had)
SecretSquirrell379
Well-Known Member
Oh koko
I'm really sad to read that people have been vile about this.
We can all see that Andy is underweight, and yes the competition probably was a mistake. He's a TB, it's winter, he hasn't any topline and looks sway backed to me, this all being combined makes him look alot worse than it would if he was just underweight. However, there is some muscle coverage over his shoulders and he looks happy in all the photos.
It's obvious you are doing the right things to help him in general, you can't just bang loads of food into underweight horses. They need small regular meals, built up very slowly! Which is what you are doing. If you give him too much food all at once it'll just make him ill (so don't feel like you have to do this because of things being said)
I do agree that you should slow down the work untill he puts some more weight on and develops more topline, and I'm sure you can see that now too. I can't see anything wrong with plodding about the lanes or a few mins in the school though. You don't look as if your weight is going to be detrimental to his back.
Just take the positive advice that people have given you, and use your own mind, you know Andy better than we do. I personally think it'd be more of an issue if Andy looked like he was suffering, which he doesn't from the pics, he looks happy, loved and like he is enjoying life.
Koko, take the positives, ignore the negatives and enjoy Andy, he obviously loves you.
^^^^ this from me too
Koko I am really upset for you. I can not believe that people have sent you nasty pm's, I really hope that you have reported them. You know what you are doing and you know what you are doing for Andy is right with his feeding etc. Keep up the good work and please don't cry anymore. Big hugs xxxx
noodle_
Well-Known Member
Ok,I can understand how upset you are, and I understand how you are working hard at getting his weight on, and that you understand that he needs muscle as well as weight. I would say that posting pictures of you competing on him was a mistake. I would also say that if he was mine I would be holding off of the competitions for a while and concentrate on building the muscle up by working at home, so that when you do take him out he is looking his best, that way you can be justifiably proud of him
ditto ^
pm's are well out of order - if people have something to say then just say it on here......
trickivicki
Well-Known Member
Hi Koko,
It saddens me slightly that people feel the need to be rude about things like this.
I was in a very similar situation in April (luckily I had the summer grass on my side) when I bought my very skinny buy very thin boy, i think the fact he was so willing and loyal (as most tb's are) gave me a false confidence in his abilities, however he had a summer with lots and lots of hacking (even when he was a little on the slim side!) and it has done him no harm at all (working hacks not pleasant wanders around the countryside) he has now gained weight and because he already had an existing muscle structure that has built up alongside his weight rather than weighting for weight to build and then start building muscle.
I think as long as you know the limits of your horse and give him top up feeds when he has worked accordingly.
I did find with my boy that the month he had off due to the snow has brought him on great guns- but i think that is youngsters generally.
I have been feeding him Countrywide Total Control mix as a bulk feed and Dodson and Horrell- Build and Glow- neither seem to heat him up at all but produce a great sheen on his coat and feed the muscles (a long chat with the D&H advisor lead me to the Build and Glow- would recommend 100%!!!)
Best of luck! PM if you would like before and after pics of my lad, sometimes it nice to have a look one or 2 stages ahead so you can see that actually things do work in the end!!!
It saddens me slightly that people feel the need to be rude about things like this.
I was in a very similar situation in April (luckily I had the summer grass on my side) when I bought my very skinny buy very thin boy, i think the fact he was so willing and loyal (as most tb's are) gave me a false confidence in his abilities, however he had a summer with lots and lots of hacking (even when he was a little on the slim side!) and it has done him no harm at all (working hacks not pleasant wanders around the countryside) he has now gained weight and because he already had an existing muscle structure that has built up alongside his weight rather than weighting for weight to build and then start building muscle.
I think as long as you know the limits of your horse and give him top up feeds when he has worked accordingly.
I did find with my boy that the month he had off due to the snow has brought him on great guns- but i think that is youngsters generally.
I have been feeding him Countrywide Total Control mix as a bulk feed and Dodson and Horrell- Build and Glow- neither seem to heat him up at all but produce a great sheen on his coat and feed the muscles (a long chat with the D&H advisor lead me to the Build and Glow- would recommend 100%!!!)
Best of luck! PM if you would like before and after pics of my lad, sometimes it nice to have a look one or 2 stages ahead so you can see that actually things do work in the end!!!
mystiandsunny
Well-Known Member
Wow, 350kg? That's the correct weight for my 13.2hh Welshxwarmblood pony! Andy's 14.2hh right? If it helps to give you a goal, my 15hh TB is the lean side of ok at 480kg, and overweight at 520kg. She was 14.2hh once and was about 430-450kg then I seem to remember.
Putting weight on is only hard now if he's getting cold. Keep him warm enough that the tips of his ears never feel cold and you won't lose any calories for keeping warm. People would laugh at the rugs my lot are wearing, and how often I change them about so they don't get too hot or too cold, but I've not had to feed any extra this winter. It's amazing how much extra insulation a TB needs if it's standing still a lot or a little on the thin side.
Any conditioning feed will put the weight on if there's nothing else wrong, but I'll mention the yeast once again just 'cause it makes no end of difference to the amount of droppings produced, amount of haylage actually digested (rather than passed through stalkyish), and weight gained, in my TB, so may help yours.
If you're wondering how much of what Andy looks like is lack of weight and how much lack of muscle, this is the 350kg pony at the correct weight (determined by vet after she arrived with lami) but no muscle as just backed:
Same weight 2 weeks of ridden work later
Same weight 6 months later
Putting weight on is only hard now if he's getting cold. Keep him warm enough that the tips of his ears never feel cold and you won't lose any calories for keeping warm. People would laugh at the rugs my lot are wearing, and how often I change them about so they don't get too hot or too cold, but I've not had to feed any extra this winter. It's amazing how much extra insulation a TB needs if it's standing still a lot or a little on the thin side.
Any conditioning feed will put the weight on if there's nothing else wrong, but I'll mention the yeast once again just 'cause it makes no end of difference to the amount of droppings produced, amount of haylage actually digested (rather than passed through stalkyish), and weight gained, in my TB, so may help yours.
If you're wondering how much of what Andy looks like is lack of weight and how much lack of muscle, this is the 350kg pony at the correct weight (determined by vet after she arrived with lami) but no muscle as just backed:
Same weight 2 weeks of ridden work later
Same weight 6 months later
dafthoss
Well-Known Member
Ok haveing read what has been said I think everyone knows koko loves Andy and is doing what she believes is in his best interests. But another thought could be that the pictures make him look worse than he is in reality, she has had lessons and several people out to see him and I am sure that if there was that much of a problem they would have said. I know my instructor and several others I know of would not teach if they thought the horse was unable to cope with it either physically or mentally. So have a hug and keep your chin up (or alternatively shrink him to Shetland size and he may get fat like a shetty and then people will moan about how fat he is 
)
)
Kokopelli
Well-Known Member
Wow, 350kg? That's the correct weight for my 13.2hh Welshxwarmblood pony! Andy's 14.2hh right? If it helps to give you a goal, my 15hh TB is the lean side of ok at 480kg, and overweight at 520kg. She was 14.2hh once and was about 430-450kg then I seem to remember.
Putting weight on is only hard now if he's getting cold. Keep him warm enough that the tips of his ears never feel cold and you won't lose any calories for keeping warm. People would laugh at the rugs my lot are wearing, and how often I change them about so they don't get too hot or too cold, but I've not had to feed any extra this winter. It's amazing how much extra insulation a TB needs if it's standing still a lot or a little on the thin side.
Any conditioning feed will put the weight on if there's nothing else wrong, but I'll mention the yeast once again just 'cause it makes no end of difference to the amount of droppings produced, amount of haylage actually digested (rather than passed through stalkyish), and weight gained, in my TB, so may help yours.
If you're wondering how much of what Andy looks like is lack of weight and how much lack of muscle, this is the 350kg pony at the correct weight (determined by vet after she arrived with lami) but no muscle as just backed:
Same weight 2 weeks of ridden work later
Same weight 6 months later
I know its seems so little but vet said his optimum weight is 380kg so if things continue how they have been he shall be at that weight within a few months
Ok haveing read what has been said I think everyone knows koko loves Andy and is doing what she believes is in his best interests. But another thought could be that the pictures make him look worse than he is in reality, she has had lessons and several people out to see him and I am sure that if there was that much of a problem they would have said. I know my instructor and several others I know of would not teach if they thought the horse was unable to cope with it either physically or mentally. So have a hug and keep your chin up (or alternatively shrink him to Shetland size and he may get fat like a shetty and then people will moan about how fat he is
Thanks dafthoss, this made me have chuckle, I will be turning him into a shetland tomorrow, can't be dealing with all this TB rubbish
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
Blimey koko. I went to bed early last night before anything kicked off.
People are idiots. It's about as plain as a spot on one's nose that you love Andy and only want the best for him. And that you know what you're doing or if you don't you seek advice. Sheesh.
You know what this place is like though, people can't help themselves
People are idiots. It's about as plain as a spot on one's nose that you love Andy and only want the best for him. And that you know what you're doing or if you don't you seek advice. Sheesh.
You know what this place is like though, people can't help themselves
hackinharry
Well-Known Member
Ignore the pious holier than thou brigade, sure your horse looks a little underweight, but there is no reason why you cannot ride him, I have seen alot worse I can assure you.
What gets me is the amount of fat horses posted in pics and no one seems to spout off about these. Get out there and enjoy your horse, he will look totally different come summer!!
What gets me is the amount of fat horses posted in pics and no one seems to spout off about these. Get out there and enjoy your horse, he will look totally different come summer!!
minkymoo
Well-Known Member
Ok haveing read what has been said I think everyone knows koko loves Andy and is doing what she believes is in his best interests. But another thought could be that the pictures make him look worse than he is in reality, she has had lessons and several people out to see him and I am sure that if there was that much of a problem they would have said. I know my instructor and several others I know of would not teach if they thought the horse was unable to cope with it either physically or mentally. So have a hug and keep your chin up (or alternatively shrink him to Shetland size and he may get fat like a shetty and then people will moan about how fat he is
^^^ this, whilst initially I was surprised, the more I looked at the photo the less I thought it was really bad. I think the sway back is a bit deceiving too. I'm pretty sure that my boy looked pretty rubbish wen I got him TBH.
This was after I had him after 2/3 weeks
And this is him 6 months later - on the right, he didn't shrink & turn yellow!
Koko, it will all work out fine, sorry you got nasty PMs though, that really isn't very nice.
dafthoss
Well-Known Member
Thanks dafthoss, this made me have chuckle, I will be turning him into a shetland tomorrow, can't be dealing with all this TB rubbish
I aim to amuse
Should have got a native like me
I have been working mine and his butt off (literally) in the 6 months I've had him to get his weight down. Want me to post some to you?? SusieT
Well-Known Member
By just posting this thread I have now gone and looked and yes-he is too thin imo to be in any more than maintenance work, by that I mean schooling for 20min, hacking for 30-40min at a steady pace, no galloping and only v. short bursts of jumping.
If you need advice on feeding please pm me. The trick with these horses is to get the weight on. I have one with v. similar conformation (I would be interested to know his breeding actually!) re: hips sticking out, sunken back etc. so I can tell that yours is not at optimum weight as they look much different when they are. TBH farriers, vets etc. are all very well but they may not want to offend you (I know vets shouldn't be like this but some are!) by saying actually ehe could do with a bit more!
You need to be feeding excellent quality haylage/hay (preferably haylage ime) and good hardfeed, ime the only feed for these horses is topline conditiong cubes (expensive-yes but they work) calm and condition I have not found to be the best but if he's doing well,great. How much in kg or lbs are you feeding? What sort of oil are you feeding? If in a further 6 weeks he does not look very significantly improved I'd be looking at a blood test to rule out nasties.
The only time mine has looked like yours, or similar, was when he was at a different yard out of my control and it just wasn't the right balance for him-is he happy in his field arrangement etc.? Good stable? All important things with an underweight horse.
As for fine to do it whilst he wants to do it, I'm guessing he might be a bit of a keen forward going type? Horses often don't know when to stop!
If you need advice on feeding please pm me. The trick with these horses is to get the weight on. I have one with v. similar conformation (I would be interested to know his breeding actually!) re: hips sticking out, sunken back etc. so I can tell that yours is not at optimum weight as they look much different when they are. TBH farriers, vets etc. are all very well but they may not want to offend you (I know vets shouldn't be like this but some are!) by saying actually ehe could do with a bit more!
You need to be feeding excellent quality haylage/hay (preferably haylage ime) and good hardfeed, ime the only feed for these horses is topline conditiong cubes (expensive-yes but they work) calm and condition I have not found to be the best but if he's doing well,great. How much in kg or lbs are you feeding? What sort of oil are you feeding? If in a further 6 weeks he does not look very significantly improved I'd be looking at a blood test to rule out nasties.
The only time mine has looked like yours, or similar, was when he was at a different yard out of my control and it just wasn't the right balance for him-is he happy in his field arrangement etc.? Good stable? All important things with an underweight horse.
As for fine to do it whilst he wants to do it, I'm guessing he might be a bit of a keen forward going type? Horses often don't know when to stop!
horsey mad matt
Well-Known Member
hi, how horrible are certain people. yes he is thin but thats not to do with you, thats from his previous owner and anythying else that happened before you got him, you have also proved that in the 6 week s you have had him he has put on 30kg or something. so don't feel ashamed or down because of the childish people who pm'd you horrid stuff, they abviuosly can't do it in public (how pathetic). they probably have the fattest horses ever so any normal sized horse looks thin. chin up and enjoy!!!!!!!