should you ride a underweight horse?

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lolly10fi

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my horse lost weight a while ago and you can slightly see her ribs and outline of her hip bones but she is slowely putting it back on now. iv been told not to ride at all but as she is a warmblood who usally jumps every week i dont no if she will become lame if i dont ride? anyones opinion?
 
Go on, I'll bite!
Why would she become lame from not being ridden/jumped?

To answer your question in good faith, she will take longer to get up to her correct weight if you let her use calories to work. So it is probably better to give her some time off.
 
It would depend on how much weight she had lost, I personally think that if they have dropped off a bit then their work should be reduced but not stopped completely, that way they won't lose all their muscle as well.
 
3Beasties said:
It would depend on how much weight she had lost, I personally think that if they have dropped off a bit then their work should be reduced but not stopped completely, that way they won't lose all their muscle as well.
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ditto this ^^, if you do decide to continue working her, make sure you feed enough calories to cover those used in work. If in doubt give a feed company a ring, they are really helpful and often they send out free samples :D
 
Depends on how much weight and the condition of the horse before it lost weight ;) Condition score between 2 and 3 on a 5 point scale, yes, ride it. Below a 2, probably not.
 
Agree with amymay I take it you seeked vets advise if she lost so much weight?
Also why would not riding her make her lame? Unless she has joint problems etc which might make her stiff with lack off work
 
lolly10fi said:
my horse lost weight a while ago and you can slightly see her ribs and outline of her hip bones but she is slowely putting it back on now. iv been told not to ride at all but as she is a warmblood who usally jumps every week i dont no if she will become lame if i dont ride? anyones opinion?
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WHY did she lose weight? How much weight did she lose? These are critical questions when considering whether she'll be ok to be ridden LIGHTLY while she's putting weight back on. If it was teeth - or improper feeding, then it probably wouldn't hurt to ride her LIGHTLY (as in a 30 - 40 minute hack - in walk - 5 days a week, then build up gradually as her condition improves.

If it was a virus or other illness that caused her to lose weight, I'd be more cautious.

WHO told you not to ride at all? If it was the vet - take notice! If it was the yard know-it-all, ignore her and talk to your vet!

Unless she's a severe arthritic, NO reason why she should o lame through lack of work!
 
she stressed most of her weight of when she moved yards and didnt get on with the horse in her field so stress was the main reason but shes in a field with plently of grass now and shes completly happy and yes it was the owner of my yard who said not to ride her but one of my friends said as shes used to having so much exercise and jumping everyday she may become slighly lame if i suddenly stop. few weeks back vet said to see how she goes in her new field but will be getting the vet to cheakon her in the week and i will go by that advice.
 
If the horse is now on good grass and is happy plus starting to put weight on , there is no reason why you should not ride her out quietly. with the good GRAS and her being contented she should soon put back the weight she has lost.


Unless there is an underlying reason for her to go lame ( ie Arthritis etc) not riding her will not make her lame. Just look at kids ponies , they are sometimes left for weeks when the child is at school then the child goes to a Pony Club rally and does the pony go lame NO
 
yes i spose so i think iv just over thought it! if i do ride i would only go out for a quite walk so she dont burn loads but just waiting to get vets advice as they always know best!
 
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