Weight Loss

Has my horse lost weight yet?
Here are some pictures...

The day after I got him


Within a few weeks of having him


Under-saddle


Yesterday


I think he has lost weight over all but he has been up and down, what can I do to prevent that? (i feed him the same every day).

Maybe you can adjust his intake according to season and workload? It's kind of like watering a plant every Tuesday whether it needs it or not. Horses need more food when it's colder and when they're being worked more frequently. Maybe add some rice bran or beet pulp to his diet when you feel his weight starting to drop off. He doesn't look like he's dropping to me in the pics, but if you feel his is, then just adjust his food.

What is his diet like now??

He eats 3 to 4 slices of hay per day, small bales so just over a hay-rack full (hard to describe)
About 4 handfuls of cubes per day (cubes contain oats, bran and dries grass pulp) spread over two meals
There is very little grass in the field but he grazes a little

Can you feel his ribs? You should be able to easily feel them under a small layer of fat. Here is a link that you may find to be helpful:

http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/weight.html

Thanks that was very helpful, I've rated him fleshy to fat so I need to do some work :)

Ok digging this thread up from a while ago but here are some recent pics

Can I see ribs???

It looks like he needs to be fitter, not weight less. If you want to track his progress, then body score him once a month. I can't body score him because I can't feel him, but it's the best way to gauge your horse's weight.

I would put him on a walk program. I would walk him every day and work up to going up to 90minutes a day and eventually add hills. Keep him marching, and in a frame.

Good luck!

The question is how easy to you FEEL ribs?? I have pics that "show" riblines but I can't feel ribs

Hmm I can feel bumps where his ribs are but there is some podge in the way! Atm im at college and don't have time to ride him every day, im ill at the moment :( but easter holls next couple of weeks! (and my bf is away) so I will be able to ride him more :)
We've got our first 'competition' on monday (client fun thing), maybe things like this will boost his confidance a bit (he needs some motivation I think)
Thanks for your support :)