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Has William lost weight?

  • Yeah, he looks fine

    Votes: 2 40.0%
  • Yes but he needs to lose more

    Votes: 2 40.0%
  • No, not really

    Votes: 1 20.0%
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Weight Loss

2K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  speedy da fish 
#1 · (Edited)
has my horse lost weight yet?
here are some pictures...

the day after i got him
Horse Pasture Nature reserve Natural landscape Wildlife


within a few weeks of having him
Horse Mammal Vertebrate Mare Mane


under-saddle
Horse Bridle Halter Mammal Rein


yesterday
Horse Vertebrate Mammal Mane Mare


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).
 
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#2 ·
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.
 
#4 ·
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
 
#8 ·
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!
 
#10 ·
hmm i can feel bumps where his ribs are but there is some podge in the way! atm im at college and dont 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 :)
 
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