Youngster losing weight??

Corona

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 July 2008
Messages
195
Visit site
My boy is 4 in July, and over the last fortnight looks to me to have gone a bit "hippy". He's in excellent spirits, recently had teeth done and is good health. I'm not riding him much at the moment, maybe some light schooling and a hack twice a week, for as soon as they go out he will be having a few months off, turned out 24?7 with all the other babies to play. I must say he looks terrific, except he looks quite tucked up and ropey from his hips onwards. If you stand in front of him his hips look quite prominant and his flanks are quite taut and none exsistant at the moment. I've asked countless people on the yard who all say he looks grand, so It sounds like i'm just worrying? Coat is shiny etc etc. Given his age as expected he has certainly grown over the past 6 months, and hasn't yet reached full height. Shall I put it down to him going through the typical baby growth spurt and the time of year? Feed hasn't changed, neither has workload. I may try and get some photos today actually.

Any thoughts xx
 
as long as he is wormed, teeth done etc and seems happy in himself i wouldn't be concerned.
he is probably having a bit of a grow and you will find he fills out again when the spring grass starts coming through.

youngsters are better slightly light than slightly fat, better for their bones.
 
Oh yes, should have mentioned, yard is on a very strict worming program,a nd they all got done about 2 weeks ago. Will get some pics. many thanks
 
I wouldn't worry too much... just consider if he's warm enough - the nights have been getting cold still and if he's getting adequate fibre - my boy looks a bit tucked up when he doesn't have a belly full of hay!
 
My last youngster did that quite frequently at the 4 year mark he would drop some weight then have a growth spurt fill out then drop some weight etc etc

I really would worry like you say he is wormed and looking good, unless it gets worse i would put it down to growing and keep a close eye on it x
 
I wouldnt worry so long as his wormed and all the rest, better to a wee bit lean than carrying too much at that age, not only that but he's still growing so every so often he will go through 'gangly stages', mine was like that about 3 weeks ago, but he looks better again now, he'll fill out those corners with age and work.
 
would think he has gone up in height and needs to fill in!! (as long as everything else teeth worming etc) hen i wouldnt worry the grass is kicking in now and dr green is the best remedy made! they all go through several lanky stages!
 
Sounds like he's still growing:p And I believe until they are seven. He sounds fine and in good shape:D:D:D Have a large glass of wine and pat yourself on the back, as you are doing a grand job, as not many people give their youngsters time to grow and chill out.:)
 
Thankyou for all the reassurance guys. I actually went down yesterday, and To be honest, I think I was just having a mardy day, as he looks near perfect lol, must just have been a bit tucked up. xx
 
My gelding is the same age as yours and he is looking a bit scrawny at the moment. He always does this when he is about to have a growth spurt. I am waiting for him to grow so I can send him away to be rebacked, but I certainly won't complain if he makes a few extra inches!
 
Top