Too fat?

[Auslander]

He looks like a really nice sort, and is definitely looking more svelte. I wouldn't cut out the hard feed personally, especially if he's doing more work now. My larger ones are on a good quality balancer so that I know their needs are being met, but they aren't taking in loads of calories they don't need.

He has enough fat to convert to muscle

This is such an old wives tale! Fat and muscle are completely different - you can't convert one into the other, What you CAN do, is reduce fat and build muscle so that the horse's shape improves.

 

[honetpot]

He has enough fat to convert to muscle, he doesn't need more protein

I am going to get picky here, you can not convert fat to muscle, they are completely different types of cells, with a completely different purpose. Fat cells store energy not used by the body. Muscle cells enlarge or develop further cells as the result of exercise/stress, its micro damage which cause the muscle group to enlarge, and protein is needed for repair of this damage. Protein can not be stored unlike energy which is stored in fat cells, and the excess is excreted in urine.

If you look at a joint of meat the fat covers the muscle, when the fat covering decreases it just enables you to see the muscle groups. The development of muscle groups is often determined by genetics, some horses no matter what you feed them, or much you exercise them are not going to enlarge their muscle groups as much as others.

I am sorry to be so pedantic, but we know so much more about equine nutrition and fitness training, and now there so many studies on how exercise and diet can affect the muscle mass, and the structure and development of muscle cells,but seems the fat converted to muscle saying seems to continue. If you exercise the animal more its more likely to use stored fat for energy. In beef production they now sometimes ultrasound animals for the amount of fat, because although to animals externally may look the same they can have different amounts of muscle tissue
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551008/

Just seen the above post, great minds.

 

[Winters100]

Thank you all. I do respect what some have said about no hard food, but I think I prefer to keep him on something and give a lot of exercise. He is used to having some hard food, and also if he got nothing he would be the only horse in the stable without a breakfast or supper, which seems harsh. For me it is no problem to give the appropriate amount of exercise to allow him to eat 2 sensibly sized meals, and while I know he could lose quicker if I cut them out I think he is not so fat that I need to do that. Plus he is really doing quite hard work now. Today he did 40 minutes training early morning, and then in the afternoon 2 hours hacking in the forest. I rode him for the first hour or so of the hack and then switched to one of mine and took him in hand with the other. It was mainly walking and trotting on the hack because I had 2 to lead, but still I think that 2 hours movement, even at a gentle pace, does something for them.

I am also not so much in a hurry because I think that, fingers crossed, he will probably be staying with me. I mentioned to his owner that I would gladly buy him if she ever decided to sell, and she said that she had been thinking about selling. I told her to take her time to think and to be really sure that it is what she wants, because she is stressed at the moment with her father being sick, and I would hate her to make a decision that she regrets, but if she does want to sell he is perfect for me. I have anyway been thinking about another because my mare is getting on. She is truly wonderful and owes me nothing, as far as I am concerned she will be ridden only as long as I feel the spring in her step and the enjoyment from it, then she will retire and do whatever in hand walks or strolling around the paddock (and being the boss of the geldings) that she wants.

So please all keep your fingers crossed for me to get a new family member!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Totally agree and understand why you'd keep the hard feed. I think it's fine with exercise. If he were sitting idle, then it would be something else.

Your friend is very fortunate to have you. It sound as though you look after him as if he is your own...and maybe he will be!

 

[Ceriann]

I’m still giving mine a little something every day - it carries her supplements and she doesn’t get much. Keep us posted how he gets on - I’m working on getting my mare trimmer (she exploded out on grass when I went on hols). I am adding 15 mins as a minimum to every hack and extra trotting. He is a very lucky boy to have landed with you.

 

[Winters100]

Totally agree and understand why you'd keep the hard feed. I think it's fine with exercise. If he were sitting idle, then it would be something else.

Your friend is very fortunate to have you. It sound as though you look after him as if he is your own...and maybe he will be!

Thank you! That is a kind thing to say. I really hope that he does end up staying with me, but I have told his owner not to feel pressured, if she doesn't want to part with him it is fine and changes nothing for him while he is with me - he gets the same amount of care and love as mine regardless.

 

[Winters100]

I am sure that no one is watching this thread now, but just in case I can announce that we have a new member of the family Had him vetted and made the bank transfer today. His previous owner says she is relieved to not have the responsibility, and of course when she comes back she will be welcome to visit and ride. Great way to buy a horse with the opportunity to have him here for some time, and I think also great way to sell that my friend can see that he is cared for and loved. No spectacular weight loss as I am with a broken hand and not able to give the normal level of exercise. I have someone riding them 5 days a week, and I loose school most days, but anyway it does not matter so much as we have time and it won't take long to have him in good shape

 

[Rumtytum]

Congratulations! He’s a lovely looking boy and I wish you many happy years together ?

 

[Winters100]

Congratulations! He’s a lovely looking boy and I wish you many happy years together ?

Thank you so much! He is a really lovely chap and I am over the moon to have him. Really super horse for fun. He was playing high goal polo before my friend bought him, but he also hacks alone if I want to, jumps small obstacles on the forest and is a genuinely nice person. xx

 

[Archangel]

I say, what a result! Congratulations. He is a lovely horse.

 

[Buster2020]

It’s actually been proven that hard feed doesn’t actually cause weight gain. It people not exercising there horses enough according to new study’s . He looks fab now he is like my girl big boned they will never look like a racing fit.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

How lovely for you! He’s a lovely looking horse. It will be interesting to see how he progresses when your hand is on the mend.

 

[Honey08]

Ooh what lovely photos Winters. He looks lovely. So glad you’ve got him and I hope you have lots of fun with him.x

 

[Winters100]

It’s actually been proven that hard feed doesn’t actually cause weight gain. It people not exercising there horses enough according to new study’s . He looks fab now he is like my girl big boned they will never look like a racing fit.

This is very interesting to me, because my other 2 get a lot of hard food compared to others on the yard, as well as constant access to hay, but they are not fat. They do work twice a day though, 1 session proper training and 1 lunging / loose schooling or if I am pressed the carousel, with 1 day in 10 off.

 

[Ceriann]

Thought he was lovely when you originally posted. Hope the hand mends and you get to enjoy him soon

 

[Goldenstar]

It’s actually been proven that hard feed doesn’t actually cause weight gain. It people not exercising there horses enough according to new study’s . He looks fab now he is like my girl big boned they will never look like a racing fit.

That simply defies logic .
If you put more calories in the horses will gain weight providing they are healthy .
It does not matter what , grass , haylege , oats If the gets more calories than it needs it will get fat .

 

[Winters100]

That simply defies logic .
If you put more calories in the horses will gain weight providing they are healthy .
It does not matter what , grass , haylege , oats If the gets more calories than it needs it will get fat .

Maybe I read this wrong, but I thought what Buster 2020 was saying was that cutting hard food alone does not work, the horses have to move. Anyway I think we are all agreed that the only easy way to do it is with a combination of proper feeding and exercise. Must be very difficult indeed for those with retired or injured good-doers, personally I like mine to have unlimited hay, but I can see that for some that would spell disaster!

 

[KEK]

Congratulations, he is gorgeous !

 

[Goldenstar]

Maybe I read this wrong, but I thought what Buster 2020 was saying was that cutting hard food alone does not work, the horses have to move. Anyway I think we are all agreed that the only easy way to do it is with a combination of proper feeding and exercise. Must be very difficult indeed for those with retired or injured good-doers, personally I like mine to have unlimited hay, but I can see that for some that would spell disaster!

I like mine to have unlimited forage as well .
But my three at home are now ID’s so unlimited forage or even unlimited turnout is simply not possible even when they are getting work .
I never fully appreciated the difficulties of horses like these until I got some they are designed for another time when they did every job on a small farm .
I am glad you are getting the horse ,I wish you years of fun with him .

 

[Buster2020]

Maybe I read this wrong, but I thought what Buster 2020 was saying was that cutting hard food alone does not work, the horses have to move. Anyway I think we are all agreed that the only easy way to do it is with a combination of proper feeding and exercise. Must be very difficult indeed for those with retired or injured good-doers, personally I like mine to have unlimited hay, but I can see that for some that would spell disaster!

That’s what I meant.

 

[Winters100]

Thank you all for such kind messages - I was really touched by all the nice wishes. Really I love this boy already and he has a home for life with me. I spent time with the horses today, and after my jobs was sitting in the paddock with them and thinking that I don't know how I could be so lucky as to have such wonderful horses. If I was offered the highest level horses in the world I would not swap any of them, all of them kind and sane, they may not be world beaters but to me they are 100% perfect. And judging by the look on his face my new lad is happy to join the family

 

[Keira 8888]

Thanks all - good to know Yes mine are for (woefully low level) polo, so I keep them a bit leaner (although not by any means skinny like some). He is usually ridden about 4/5 times a week, but I think quite gentle work. She is very keen for him to be fitter, and is a good rider who can handle a fit horse, so we will increase this over the coming weeks. He is 11 and is a super kind nice lad, so very happy to help out with him.

As a comparison this is one of mine - as you can see not skinny but less belly and ribs are easy to feel. Hopefully harder work will shift a bit of the belly, but it is great to know that no one thinks he is obese, so I will proceed with caution!

View attachment 52357

What a beautiful pony! Looks stunning where you live Winters ???