hay belly?

My yearling POA has a little potbelly on him. Not bad, but enough that it bugs me lol. He gets hay twice a day, so really free feed hay. He's on pasture, but theres nothing left to eat on it. He gets Omolene 200, just 1 quart at night to help his growing. He's UTD on deworming, etc. What could be causing his potbelly, just hay? Like I said its not bad and he is very well muscled and filled out, he gets worked a few times a week. What can I do to get it to go away? Thanks

Seems that some babies do get a belly on them, think of human toddlers-they have a big belly!!

I would think as long as he is UTD on his worming, you should be fine.

Make sure that the hay is of good quality. If you're feeding poorer quality grass hay the protein may not be good enough. This is what causes a "hay belly" the muscles of the belly aren't getting enough protein to grow/keep repaired so they kind of "stretch" if that makes sense. You could try adding some alfalfa to his diet also as the protein in alfalfa is almost always high enough to solve this particular problem.

Yea I agree with tigerstripes. I prefer 2nd and 3rd cutting over 1st as well too. I think the more steamy stuff can cause this as well. The only thing else would to maybe increase the exercise and type of exercise. Like lots of trotting with a sursingal (cant spell) will help. It will make him use his back and abdominal muscles more.

I would add some alfalfa pellets to his feed. That will get some better quality protein and amino acids in his diet. I would also swicth out the omelene to a 30-32% Ration Balancer, like Triple Crown 30% or Purina Enrich. You only need to feed 1 lb and it will provide a lot higher quality protein that the Omelene.

I wouldn't recommend working him in a curcingle, he's only a yearling, this could be damaging to his growth.

But definatley try more premium hay cuts, like everyone else has stated. Better protein.

Good luck!