I own a 17h TB cross that I show in children's jumpers. Right now, he is getting 4 qts of whole oats and 4 qts of sweet feed twice a day. He also has unlimited access to hay and salt in his pasture. During the winter, I kept him in a paddock with a large hay bale, but now that the spring grass is out, I have reintroduced him to the big pasture. He is not easy to keep weight on and I had him on weight supplements over the winter, but since the grass is back, I figured I'd take him off. He was moderately skinny when I bought him 9 months ago, and he has gained a ton of weight. Still, I'm not so sure about if he is at a healthy weight or not. Really, depending on what angle you are looking at him from, he looks different. I went out and took some pictures today, what is y'alls opinion, and also what can I do to get him to gain more weight?
He isn't "Skinny", but a little weight wouldn't hurt. Some horses are just like that though; my friends paint always looks like that and eats like a...well....horse for lack of a better term. (She doesn't have worms or anything either; she's perfectly heathy). Just like humans, some horses are just thin.
I agree. The pictures make him look narrow through his flank, but he looks quite healthy in the video... I wish I could offer more help.
His ribs don't seem to be showing. He just seems a bit narrow through the flank and hips. I would maybe be less concerned about putting fat on him and more concerned about building up those hind muscles. I think he'd look lovely with more muscling on his butt.
Though, I'm no thoroughbred expert, I deal more with stock type horses, so someone on here may want to double check me. ;]
I agree. The pictures make him look narrow through his flank, but he looks quite healthy in the video... I wish I could offer more help.
His ribs don't seem to be showing. He just seems a bit narrow through the flank and hips. I would maybe be less concerned about putting fat on him and more concerned about building up those hind muscles. I think he'd look lovely with more muscling on his butt.
Though, I'm no thoroughbred expert, I deal more with stock type horses, so someone on here may want to double check me. ;]
I've been working on him with galloping and hill work, believe it or not, he has more of a butt now than when I bought him!
He looks a little thin to me but I don't think it is a feed issue so much as a building muscle issue. He could use some more muscle in his hindquarters and along his spine but since he is being used and ridden often, I am not sure that he would build much more even with the proper work. He looks healthy despite looking a little bony. I don't have any advice to offer though, all of my horses are really easy keepers except my really old ones and they do great with just a little bit of supplement along with alfalfa. Sorry I'm not more help.
I've been working on him with galloping and hill work, believe it or not, he has more of a butt now than when I bought him!
Maybe a muscle building supplement would help - some horses are just weird about muscle building. ALSO - and the same is true of people - if you continuously work muscles the same way, they will eventually become conditioned in such a way that they do not build anymore. I'm not sure what it's called, but I know there's a name for it. Maybe try to switch up the exercises you do with him each week?
Maybe a muscle building supplement would help - some horses are just weird about muscle building. ALSO - and the same is true of people - if you continuously work muscles the same way, they will eventually become conditioned in such a way that they do not build anymore. I'm not sure what it's called, but I know there's a name for it. Maybe try to switch up the exercises you do with him each week?
Sorry, wish I could help you more.
Maybe he's just bony. :\
Hehe maybe. :P I'll try muscle supplements, are there any good ones out there?
I've never actually used any... our horses are all pretty easy keepers.
But here's a site with a list of a bunch, you can browse and see what fits your needs best. :] I'd also suggest talking to your vet before adding anything to his feed, just to be safe.
Wow he is getting alot of sugars and starches... honestly that is entirely too much sugar and starch...
Instead of using grains to add calories add some beet pulp or alfalfa pellets/cubes... also cut out the sweet grain and add a good vitamin/mineral supplement or ration balancer for quality nutrition instead of volume... use forage products for the volume... I think you will surprises at the results you see
