weight loss

smokey

smokey

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I'm looking for a bit of advice, or possibly just moral support. I was informed today by a "well meaning, concerned" horse owner that my horse had lost lots of weight and that "even her face is thinner". While I happily concede that she has lost weight, I can feel her ribs, but not see them. I check her every day, and am not concerned that she is too skinny, I didnt think that horses showed weight loss in their faces until they were really underweight, and I know that my horse isnt. She has lost some through the winter, but a normal amount, not excessive. Am I wrong, can someone look at a fully rugged horse and tell its lost weight because its face is thin? I'm really quite uset by this and would welcome any comments, thank you
 
Why not google a body score chart and see what she comes out at? Is there an experienced person on your yard or an instructor who's opinion you respect, can you ask them what they think ?
 
I'm going to weigh tape her, as she doesnt look much thinner than before, I was just surprised that someone who hasnt seen her without her rug for months could tell by looking at her face, its not like she had chubby cheeks before! lol. thanks for the feedback, shes due her annual check with the vet next month, so I'm sure any problems will be picked up then. I'm not worried about her, just infuriated that I was made to feel so bad, with no real reason.
 
Like anyone else, a horse can show weight loss in the face, you only have to watch a hunter come up from grass as it gets fitter to see this. If your horse is clipped out on the face, that too will accentuate the bones which gives the impression of being thinner.

Some people like their horses to be far too fat which is not healthy for them; winter is a time when the horse should lose a bit of weight to prepare it better to make the most of the spring grass when it comes through; you don't want it already with too much weight on when that happens. It sounds like you have your priorities right. Why not weight tape your horse each week at the same time as this will tell you (and friend!) for sure?
 
Sounds like a case of another person poking their nose in where it's not wanted. It's only natural for horses to lose a bit over the winter. Thats what happens in the wild. I would just take it with a pinch of salt and carry on with what you are doing. I would perhaps weigh with a tape every couple of weeks if you feel that that would give you peace of mind and then you would know that your horse isn't loosing drastic amounts but I really wouldn't worry at all.
 
thanks so much for your quick replys. My horse is living out this winter for the first time, and I have done everything I can to make sure shes ok, shes not clipped, not in work, rugged up and fed. The person who made the comments also inferred that she was poor looking because she is muddy! The other horses on my yard are of course pristine, not a speck on them! lol. Think I should laugh it off, but its very upsetting to be told you are neglecting your horse. Going to weigh tape her as suggested, and may pull her vets appt forward to get a clean bill of health for my own peace of mind. Thanks again.
 
Amymay, I've had my mare for 9 years since she was a foal, she has been on the same yard all that time, never had an issue. I personally think if every horse that dropped a bit of weight in the winter, and was muddy became a welfare concern I wouldnt be the only one posting about this. I understand what youre saying, and I appreciate that if there was genuine cause for concern then I would deserve to be told that. As I said in a previous post, I intend to get my vet out to check her over, to ensure that she is fit and healthy. I have no photos to post at the moment, will try to get some on soon.
 
smokey said:
Amymay, I've had my mare for 9 years since she was a foal, she has been on the same yard all that time, never had an issue. I personally think if every horse that dropped a bit of weight in the winter, and was muddy became a welfare concern I wouldnt be the only one posting about this. I understand what youre saying, and I appreciate that if there was genuine cause for concern then I would deserve to be told that. As I said in a previous post, I intend to get my vet out to check her over, to ensure that she is fit and healthy. I have no photos to post at the moment, will try to get some on soon.
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Ah, okey dokey.

So what advice are you looking for?
 
was really just looking for some reassurance that I'm doing all I can, and I think the feedback so far suggests that I am. The good news is that I put her saddle on tonight and the girth was only up 3 holes up from her summer weight, and 1 up from her usual winter weight. Thanks for taking time to reply, any other comments or suggestions would be most welcome.
 
a wee update on this situation, firstly, thank you to amymay who took time to look at pics and reassure me. I spoke to one of the few people on my yard whose opinion I respect, and after her initial shock at the accusation and having a look at my horse, she has also assured me that my girl looks fine, thinner than the summer, but certainly not poor. In fact, she did ask how I got such a gleam on her coat. That'll be the short rations and general neglect then! lol. I'm going to keep on doing what I'm doing, and ignore all the busybodies.
 
Maesfen said:
Some people like their horses to be far too fat which is not healthy for them; winter is a time when the horse should lose a bit of weight to prepare it better to make the most of the spring grass when it comes through; you don't want it already with too much weight on when that happens. It sounds like you have your priorities right. Why not weight tape your horse each week at the same time as this will tell you (and friend!) for sure?
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^^ This ^^ Also take a photo once a week or once a fortnight. It's difficult to see changes when you look at your horse every day as they're so gradual. If you take photos and weigh tape, it's easier to monitor.

Personally I'd always prefer my horse to be on the slim side and I'd like him to come out of winter quite light as then I'm not battling with his weight all through spring and summer.
 
Thank you! I have started with the pics, will continue over the next few weeks.My mare is a good doer, and last summer was def abit chunky, she is out 24/7, so at the end of summer she had plenty of reserve weight to lose, I started feeding her when she got to what I felt (and the person who started all this agreed) was a good weight to maintain over winter. she has maintained that weight, so you can imagine how it felt to be accused of basically letting her starve. She is leaving about half the haylage I'm putting out for her, so shes clearly not hungry. I feel so much better for the support on here, thanks to all
 
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