Are they looking skinny?

My mom and I were talking yesterday, and it looks like my horses have lost some weight.
I don't think they are dangerously skinny, but what do you think?
And what would you feed to keep them at a healthy weight?




These are from last month, I am going to get some more pictures tomorrow

I don't think they look skinny. However, a thick winter coat can hide a lot to the eyes. So.... check out this link and go out and feel your horses. You want them between a 4 and a 5 for optimal health.

The Henneke System of Body Condition Scoring - Kentucky Horse Council

Personally, my horses are FAT right now, but I do like them around a 5. A little lower in the late spring/summer and a little higher in the late fall/winter

Here are some other links too.
http://www.admani.com/allianceequine...ore%20Card.pdf

How to Condition Score Horses - by Susan Evans Garlinghouse

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/1010.pdf

Henneke Body Scoring - Habitat for Horses - Equine Protection Organization - Horse Rescue, Rehabilitation, Horse Education and Adoptions

With the thick coat on them they could be slightly lower than optimal weight, but it looks near average fat-wise to me. I think they are lacking muscle more than fat.

Rice Bran and Beat Pulp are good for weight gain, as well as some sort of oil. There is no supplement for adequate grass/hay, so make sure they have enough of that before trying something non-forage.

It is hard to tell. A good way is to tell by looking at the haunches and seeing if they look thin, if you can't tell post a pic of them and I will look at them! :)

I agree with the other posts, can't tell for certain with winter coat. But I do know of a good feed that you add with their grain and it packs on weight. It's called "tribute"... it's high in fat so it'll do the trick, just don't overdue it!

Do you know how to body condition score? If not, here's a link:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/1010.pdf
Also, I would get a weight tape to them. It won't be exact, but the most important part is that you are weighing them the same every time, so that you can judge weight gain/loss.
Good luck!!
~The Golden Filly!~

Here are some more pictures




I have been giving them hay still because I want to keep weight on them.