Too thin?

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Super_Kat

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I got told this morning that my youngster is too thin and she needs a rug on now it's getting cold.
Now, she's 3 years old (4 in June), has spent the last 2 winters out in an open field with minimal/no shelter without a rug on and was fine. Came up to college last weekend (after spending the last couple of years sat in a field not doing alot) to be broken, has 2 feeds per day and as much forage (not amazing quality though) as she can eat with 4 hours turnout every morning ad she has a lovely fluffy coat with plenty of mud stuck to it for insulation purposes
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Plus she's still growing nd looks slightly gangly.
Yes she's looking a bit tucked up (which is what I expect) but she's not thin in my eyes. I wouldn't really want a baby carrying too much weight, or am I totally wrong and does she actually look too thin?

Taken earlier this afternoon when she came out of the field:
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And this is her last summer:
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Sorry about the crap quality photo's, they're off my camera which has a smashed lens.
 
she definitaly seems to have lost weight since the summer. i wouldnt say she looks to bad now considering the time of year. if she was mine and she lost much more i might get a bit worried but she certianly looks ok now!
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i woundnt worry 3yr are all over the place with weight and height if you have in dout shes losing weight then rug her
 
It's very hard to tell much from the pics, but she does seem to have lost weight since the summer. Have you done a proper condition-score on her?

I would say she could do with a bit more condition (but then I tend to be over-anxious about such things). I would rug her rather than increasing the feed and/or feed better-quality hay.
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She doesnt look bad at all, mine is about the same, i dont want to feed him up as the spring grass is just about to come through and you will end up with more problems if they put too much weight on.

Plus she has also just moved "house", shes probably lost a bit because of that. I would keep watch for a few weeks, if she gets worse add a bit more, otherwise I would stick with what you want
 
She's a bit lean, but at this time of year I wouldn't worry about it. Better to let 'em lose a bit coz they'll only bump it back on with the spring grass. I let mine drop a bit of condition off at the start of the year and then I dont have to worry about laminitis all spring & summer. She's fine
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my youngster was all over the place when i got her backend higher then front and very thin but all this will correct its self when she get to four or five this is the time to worry about feed or rugging you got to think of the wild horses they cope
 
I think she looks fine. She is, after all,just a youngster and is coming through to the end of winter.
 
She looks just how you would expect her to look at her age and to have wintered out so far so I wouldn't be too worried about her unless she hasn't put on more condition within a month with her new regime; then I would worry - if that makes sense.
You are on the right side of winter so the grass and weather should only improve which will help her. Also don't forget she has moved homes and also has a completely different regime of keep; instead of 24/7 turnout and freedom, she now has to put up with only 4 hrs out; that will make a vast difference to her both physically and mentally, she is bound to look a bit tucked up after that upset.
As you rightly said, you don't want her too heavy for her young joints and as long as she looks well in herself, is up to date with worming etc, she should soon pick up but bear in mind, because her turnout is now restricted, you will be having to replace that forage she will be missing but also, don't let anyone else bully you into doing something she neither needs or wants (as in rugs and overfeeding) unless you feel yourself it is necessary, after all, you know her best.
 
looks like my friends mare who is almost the same age 4 in may. nearly all horses loose weight and condition in winter.. dont forget as an unworked youngster she has no muscle or topline to speak of. Come summer it will be a different horse you see altogther
 
She's looking in similar condition to my rising 4 year old who has wintered out naked with no hard feed (just ad lib hay).
Both of ours are on the lean side but not thin, and a much healthier weight than having a fat youngster coming into summer.
Sorry but I think too many people are OTT when it comes to horses.
 
No, she is not too thin at all for her age and time of year. Does this person know what they are talking about?
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It's not like her ribs and hips stick out is it? Also she has a lot of TB in her doesn't she?!

I agree with you and I don't like youngsters carrying too much weight hence why my 2 have now gone in that paddock with a lot less grass then they were on
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I think I would like to see a bit more weight on her. She is growing like mad and could do without struggling for condition. My 3 yo is carrying a bit too much condition and I will have to check that soon before spring but I really think that yougsters should not struggle with weight issues at this stage. Perhaps up the hay/haylage or rug if condition does not improve.
 
I think she looks ok for the time of year. Remember though if she is in an out side stable (ie not a barn) she may get cold at night. Horses often get colder in a stable than a field so just keep an eye on her.
 
As she has not done any work, she is laking topline and muscle devlopment, how does she condition score on ribs and backbone?
She has not filled her frame yet, if she is in, make sure she has ad lib forage not too much hard feed I'd use forage ( haylage, Hi Fi, etc) and a balancer on a young horse.
Standing in,a nd being groomed daily, may mean she will need a lightwieght rug for the next month or so.
 
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