What do you think of her weight?

SmartieBean09

SmartieBean09

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Ok, now I am hoping the picture comes out ok!

Jamin is 27 and only occassionally ridden. She is up to date with wormng and teeth. She lives out 10 months of the year.

At the moment she is living out in a 450g an is fed once a day (This is all I can do at the moment.) When I bring her in for her feed, I put out approx 8-10kg of hay for her and the two other oldies. She is fed 500g of Dengie Alfa A MF and her Lo Cal balancer with some Fenugreek, Cider Vinegar and Corn Oil. I have tried recently to increse her Chaff but she tends to get bored and wonder off leaving half a bucket of feed :(

Looking at her today I have noticed that she has dropped a bit of weight. She is a lot lighter this year than she was last year (on weight tape she weighs 330kg and around this time of year she is usually approx 385kg). She is in good spirits and certainly doesnt lack any energy.

My question is.....as there doesnt appear to be an awful lot of grass in the field at the moment should I continue as I am in anticipation of the grass coming through or add something to her feed to help with her weight until the grass makes its apppearance?

I am slightly reluctant to put any more hay out as I am the only one who really wants the hay out so am the only one who pays for the hay to be put out (slightly annoying).

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Haribos for all who got this far! :D
 
Hi, My old mare dropped weight suddenly, she was not as old as yours though. I was advised to give her micronised barley, just half a scoop twice daily, she did put weight on but it is up to you. I also gave ad lib hay but I can understand your position with others not doing that.
But I think she looks grand for her age so long as she is happy.
 
For her age, she's looking good. As you say, she has more than enough energy and is happy within herself.
I would keep an eye on her weight for the time being and she'll let you know if she starts to feel it. I've moved my ponies to a different field and the amount of grass that has shot up in their poached field is unbelievable. The problem is, you can't always tell how much grass is growing because they eat it as fast as it grows.
Hope this helps x
 
I don't think that you have much to worry about there. My old girl was kept ( I'm tempted to say the "lap of luxury" ) in with grass during daylight hours and even she had a couple of "old looking" years around her mid twenties - she later found a new lease of life, looked and was fighting fit till the grand age of 33

Bit sad about your colleague liveries not bothering with hay - I reckon there's a fair amount of that sort of thing in Iver by the looks of some forlorn fields.
 
1stclassalan said:
I don't think that you have much to worry about there. My old girl was kept ( I'm tempted to say the "lap of luxury" ) in with grass during daylight hours and even she had a couple of "old looking" years around her mid twenties - she later found a new lease of life, looked and was fighting fit till the grand age of 33

Bit sad about your colleague liveries not bothering with hay - I reckon there's a fair amount of that sort of thing in Iver by the looks of some forlorn fields.
Click to expand...

I must admit, she seems to be feeling great in herself. She gallops to the gate when its feed time and lately has been boucing around in the field like she used to, she just doesnt appear to look as well in herself as she used to. Last year was the first year we battled with her weight but this time last year we had won that battle and she was beginning to look well. Now (to me) she a bit poor and everyday I bring her in for a feed she seems tucked up. I would usually put this down to the cold weather but she is warm and I certainly wouldnt want anymore rugs on her.

The other liveries are lovely people but they dont feel their horses need the hay so I put just enough out for them all to have a nibble for an hour or so only. Atleast that way I know my horse has got some hay in her to keep her warm.
 
I think she looks ok the only thing is she is under muscled but as she is only ridden occasionally then this is expected. Spring is on its way so I wouldnt worry too much. I cant see her ribs and her spine and hips seem covered :)
 
I think she looks well. Would it be possible to swap the hay for haylage? Thats an easy way to up the calorie content without spending more money.

Fast fibre also seems good for weight gain (although that's not what it is advertised as!) and could be used to replace the chaff now and again to stop her getting bored and encourage her to eat up?
 
Have you tried her on Readygrass? Its very appetising and apparently higher calorie than haylage or chaff. You coud give her a bucket to munch on when she comes in.
 
She looks o.k to me but if you do want to add something I can't rate speedi or kwiki beet enough. I really struggled with my mares weight last winter and this is the only addtion I've made this year and she's looking great. Its also relatively cheap and helps to liven up the chaff a bit.
 
Argh!!!! just typed a huge post!! Grrrr...anyway it went a bit like this.........

Thank you everyone. Especially those who said she looked good for 27!.....Phew!! She is my baby and I wish I could keep her looking young forever!

As for Readigrass, she was getting a large tub trug of this going into winter when she was stabled for a few hours Oct-Nov and she loved it so could be an idea! Once she was stabled over night, she was given a hay replacer.

I have just got back from the stables and she was still really tucked up so I have bit the bullet and decided to bring her in to a nice warm stable and plenty of hay. She was really tucking into it when I left which is not like her. She can usually take or leave hay hence the hay replacer!

I have tried haylage too as I love the idea of feeding this but although she starts off keen, she soon loses interest. Even if I mix with hay.

So even though getting down in the mornings is going to be a bit of a headache, I am sure with plenty of hay and the warmth of her stable, she will soon be back to herself and by the end of Feb she will be back out 24/7 with her field buddies.........and I can post you lots of happy pics!

Thanks gain for all your help and if anyone has any experience with oldies and condition, please let me know how you coped. :)
 
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