Feeding Help & Advice Needed

Also, as long as his ribs, spine and hips aren't shwoing, and his hips aren't sunken in, then he is probably fine, just fit.

We don't have a full draft but have a draft cross. He grew until he was 7 in height and there were points when he would look leaner and it usually coincided with a growth spurt.

With the amount of feed your draft is getting - if he is truly thin - I would be concerned about some condition causing the issue. Maybe the teeth are due for a float? Ulcers? Something of that nature.

Pictures would be a great help as some people see thin horses when horses are actually at a good weight - they are just used to overly fat animals or think lack of fitness/muscle tone is the same as underweight.

You don't feel that 100# of hay and concentrates a day is excessive? Mine can eat 100# of hay each a day when given the opportunity but that will only last 2-3 days (and they are ready to explode and can barely move) but then they drop down to an acceptable 40-50# a day. Who can afford to feed that much? That's 17 ton of hay a year for one horse.

If there isn't anything to graze, a horse needs access to hay 24/7. Long periods of time without something in their stomach can lead to stomach issues.

Hi all-
I am sorry that I have updated, life gets busy!

The vet was out to the barn to check another horse and I had her peek at my guy. I told her my concerns, which she knew about, because I had emailed pictures of my guy to her. Well first she laughed at me and when she finally stopped laughing she told me that my guy was fine and she put him as a 5-6 on the body condition scale.
She assured me that I was not feeding too much, too little and that my guy was okay for a growing boy.
I just wanted to thank you all for your input and I didn't want you to feel that I left you hanging.

Thank you for the update - I am so glad the vet was able to ease your mind!
Some people, especially if they were ever around halter show horses, think "fat" looks "fit". It's actually much healthier for them to be a tad lean.
(I'd still love to see some pictures!)