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huge haybelly!

4K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  SonnyWimps 
#1 ·
ok..just so everyone knows...there is NO WAY that i am changing stables.ok? lol....just had to make that clear.


ok so i don't know what to do.i can't really change her pasture either...BUT..my mare has a HUGEEEE haybelly.they get 24/7 turnout with 24/7 acess to round bales. then she gets her feed once a day.because she is also on grass.so i was wondering, is there a way to get rid of hay bellies without necissarily taking out the hay?
 
#3 ·
well...she gets like 3/4 of a scoop of dumor/pleasure pellets. but shes not ridden much.only about once or twice a week.they get hay all the time but theres grass....not much but there is some.so would an all hay diet be ok?
 
#4 ·
ok well heres her.i mean maybe its not huge but still..she looks funny.and idk..i just feel weird if i took her to a show or something.lol.you can't really c it in this picture i have to get a better one.but yeah, its bad.i seem to never have pictures showing what i want!

Horse Vertebrate Mammal Mare Sorrel
 
#5 ·
How old is she? If she's not on any specific supplements or vitamins, I think you could possibly take her off grain completely. There's a lot of horses I know who don't get grain at all.

This won't do much however, unless she has proper exercise. Exercise is really the only thing that will help with this. You want to turn the fat into toned muscle, not just have sagging, unmuscled fat bulging here and there.

That's all I can really suggest. :wink: Oh, and make sure she isn't wormy!
 
#6 ·
I don't know where it is you live, but winter is only a month away and she will need that "hay belly" to keep her warm. I believe after winter horses (without blankets and all the jaz) will drop 2 sizes on the 1-10 scale on weight.

^thats if they are outside all the time, i think.

Otherwise, the only way you will be able to get her weight down is by EXERCISE and a cut back on her feed.

THanks,
Brandon
 
#7 ·
I agree with Brandon, the hay belly will keep her warm in the winter. And actually having hay 24/7 is healthier for her than having it only fed twice a day. She is less likely to colic if she always has something in her stomach.

I also think that possibly removing the grain might help also.
 
#8 ·
no shes not wormy.lol..but she does have heaves/really bad allergies.does that effect anything?and do you think if i took her off pellets that she may not cough as much?i know hay doesn't do her much good with heaves but theres really nothing i can do.i can't go out there and exercise her during the week.she gets ridden really only on saturday and sunday.because shes about a half hour away.the reason shes boarded there is beacuse its basically free..even feed and hay.and wormer and stuff because shes at my uncles.and they recently gave her to me and all my dad has to do is help my uncle out with small things on the farm in order to keep her there.so we made out on a good deal.but i can't go around giving orders that i want her paddock moved and stuff.


anywho, shes 11-12ish.has heaves. and is on 24/7 round bale access and gets 2/3 a scoop of dumor pleasure pellets every day once.only ridden twice a week.

so should i get rid of the pellets? is there enough vitamins and stuff in just hay and little grass?and she would of course pick at oats from the other horses feed buckets/leftovers.we are starting to barrel race so is that ok with that much food?
 
#10 ·
My horse is on round bales 24/7 and grass....he only gets grain when I go up to ride him...never any time else. I would definately say that taking off the grain might help, but for the heaves it's probably from the hay...which again you said you can't really do too much about.
 
#14 ·
but wouldn't you think she needs the vitamins and minerals and stuff?
Use SmartPak's SmartVite Easy Keeper Grass. Mix it with just a few handfuls of feed along with a magnesium supplement. This will make sure she's getting all the vitamins she needs, plus the extra magnesium helps easy keepers stay in better shape (helps them utilize the calories better).

And yes, horses should have access to a salt block, even if you don't think she uses it. She will lick/munch it when she needs it. I use the red mineral blocks.
 
#15 ·
Chasin the dream- You said she gets 2/3 scoop a day, why dont you cut that back to 1/3. That way she still gets the proper vitamins, and you dont have to add all those suppliments like I have to do at the ranch.. Some of the 39 horses that i feed get: SuperVite, CloeVite, Fast-track, Lysien, wormer, amplify, bute, and some oils... lol it can be crazy sometimes..

Be aware that if you are about to hit winter then your horse is gonna stop gainin weight. So aslong as she gots hay, water, and grain then she will lose weight magically with no exercise lol :razz:. Let the crazy ol' man winter shed some of her weight off for you.

:wink:
 
#16 ·
Chasin the dream- You said she gets 2/3 scoop a day, why dont you cut that back to 1/3. That way she still gets the proper vitamins
Feeding less than the recommended amount on the side of the bag does NOT provide proper vitamins... Which is why I won't feed sweet feed or feed pellets. For most, you have to feed 4-7 lbs a day for minimum nutritional values.
 
#18 ·
horses can definately get enough vitins and minerals just from eating good quality hay. The only time my horse gets grain is when I go to see him...and he only gets a small scoop...not even half of a full scoop...and he shares with the goat (hehe...he glares at me for giving the goat some grain).

As long as the hay the barn is giving your horse is good quality, fresh, and not sun-bleached, then it will have lots of vitamins and minerals.
 
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