Youngster slightly ribby

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xTrooperx

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I have a rising 2yr old lightweight cobxwelshxtb during winter kept weight on, coming out of winter and growing 2 inches in what seemed like weeks he became slightly ribby, though over all good condition I thought he would gain a layer of fat on spring grass so wasn't to worried. But to me he just hasn't got that cover back on ribs you can't see them but feel them quite easy, though his neck is starting to fill and look less baby like so deff still going through huge growing faze, he is out 24/7 and has hay down incase not enough grass fully wormed and has field vit/min tub in field, has plenty of energy to play/gallop around.
Since being out 24/7 on no hard feed.
Should I be really worried and just hope this growing weed fazes passes? Or should I feed extra? But worried about chucking lots of feed down him when this could just be thin and up stage, am I being to 'mothering' ? Did others have a lanky 18-2yr old stage? And his body will start filling out again before going up not leaving a skeleton behind.
 
it is better for a youngster not to be overweight so don't worry too much. maybe just get his teeth checked to make sure he is getting all of the goodness from the hay and grass. he will probably start putting a bit on as the year progresses. perhaps put a recent pic up if you feel he is too thin so that you can get some other opinions(and I like to look at youngster piccies!!)
 
I feel your pain. My youngster was so skinny when I bought her the vet noted it in the vetting report. Since then, every time I've managed to get some weight on her she just shoots upwards and becomes skinny again. Horses don't seem to get fat and grow at the same time.

I too prefer youngsters on the skinny side. I feed ad lib hay/haylage and very little in the way of hard feed - chaff, grass nuts and a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement.
 
My mare (now 4) had major growth spurts making her look leggy and ribby. All youngsters go through the gangly stages. i don't like seeing overweight babies.
 
As a youngster, I wouldn't want anymore weight on him... If any feed, I'd be feeding a handful of chaff with a supplement fed at the recommended amount for an adult horse
 
I think he looks fine for a baby, its not healthy for them to be too heavy on growing limbs you will find his weight will go up and down, I wouldnt worry just do regular worm counts if your not already.
 
Westgate labs now have a tapeworm test so you could try this if worried
I like to feed a tiny bit every day if convenient, to make sure he is getting minerals, a lot depends on field conditions, and if you want to progress though to the backing stage early rather than later. Personally I would want more muscle on him.
 
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He looks fine in that photo.

My young gelding always went ribby after a growth spurt. I talked to the Vet about it and she said that he was in perfect condition for a youngster. He always weight scored well on his front end and hind end, so when you averaged out the scores of all three areas he was still in the 'good' range. However I did post a photo of him on here and was asked if he was a rescue case, so that shows just how warped we are when assessing horse weight - too many people are used to seeing fat horses and any rib showing = it's too skinny, which is nonsense.

The best way to damage a growing youngsters legs is to overfeed the youngster so that it grows too quickly. If you want to do a little bit in-hand with him, do so - I do a bit with mine - but don't over do it. They really should be spending most of their time out in the paddock with other horses. You aren't prepping a TB youngster for the sales ring after all so you don't need him to be 'well muscled'.
 
He is currently on a hill so muscle should come over summer plus a another youngster so non stop playing, his worming is same as others and all look great, poo pick and no signs, but will do one those test poo counts.
Photo was taken few wks ago so has levelled of little more on front ... Growing & growing. Though should only make 14.3/15 :0(.
So plan of action - poo sample, leave for few wks if puts lil on leave him be & grow if stays same start sticking handful of feed in to get.
 
If he has grass and is looking healthy, I personally wouldn't feed anything except a handful of chaff with a vit&min supplement in.

To me, your description

'he just hasn't got that cover back on ribs you can't see them but feel them quite easy'

doesn't make it sound like he is anything other than a normal, growing youngster.
 
Struggling to see the picture on this screen, so can't comment on his actual weight.

But got to say, nothing worse than a fat youngster. Can do so much damage to them. Wouldnt be worried about bulking him up with muscle either, as FC says he's not off to the TB sales ring! He will put weight on, and then grow and look ropey, and then put weight on, and then grow some more and look ropey again. That's OKAY, that happens.
He's only TWO! Be prepared for the lanky stage to go on a LOT longer than 18m-2 yrs, lol :)
 
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