ribby

Mine get 8 flakes no matter if they are being worked or not. I only adjust grain if they are getting worked more. Big horses need more hay. My little ones would not do well on 4 flakes a day

He's 16 hands, and his chest is about as wide as my shoulders. He's not what I would consider a big boy by any means.

We have two what I believe are quarter horses, but they're stocky and probably 16.3 and regardless BIG horses. They get 6 flakes of hay a day. The gelding gets 2 3 quart scoop of alfalfa cubes on top of 2 scoops of senior feed, and the mare gets about 4 quarts of sweet feed a day. If I were to feed Ice any combination of those, he would explode from pent up energy.

I would greatly increase his hay intake.

Ice has done nothing but gain weight while I've been responsible for feeding him. I'm sure if I left him be for another few months, he'd gain more weight. I plan on increasing his whole hay ration when he gets steadier work....even on the "measly" four flakes, he was a nightmare to work with in the cross ties. Very antsy, didn't know how to stand still, pawing constantly.

I did at one time have him on probiotics, but saw no improvement (or decline) in his condition. The only time I've ever seen his ribs "disappear" was when I had him on Super 14. There was a layer of fat under his skin, but he wasn't fat. You could however, still see them at certain angles.

Here is a Skinny Nelson:







To what he is today:





Even now, he isn't perfect, but he's come a long way. I would still like to see another 100lbs on him weight wise.

Again, I wish I had taken pictures of Ice before I'd had him for two months. He was worse off than Nelson was in his before pictures. I notice that in addition to weight, he looks like he filled out muscle wise as well.

Muscle does not come if there is little weight on the horse. Your horse is ribby, there should be no ribs. You want to get at least another 2 - 300lb pounds on your horse, then start thinking about conditioning and turning that fat into muscle.

Mine are 14.2, 14.3 and 15.3 and they get alot more hay than yours and not being worked. They really can't get too much quality grass hay. No one is suggesting more feed. Personally I don't see the improvement in the pictures. Not sure why you are asking for advice but not wanting to hear it. A TB has a different metabolizm and needs more food

I have to agree.. increase his hay. The reasons why have already been stated. More hay isn't going to blow his head off.. grass hay

Can anyone answer my question from.....10+ replies ago?

Not looking to argue, but everyone seems to focus on the ribs. There's more to a healthy horse than not seeing ribs. I'm sure if I he was on 8 flakes a day, I'd get complaints that he was obese.