My boy rising 14 has ad lib haylage, calm & condition, nuts, suger beet and micronised linseed in winter so not short of food. Teeth checked and wormed however he always drops off in winter, never thin just looks fit. He always looks great after spring turnout, always been same from being 18mths. I am thinking it's his metabolism doing what it should as he has a great life out 24/7 all summer. A vet would say he is perfect for time of year, any thoughts ...
It is natural for horses to lose weight over the winter and put it on again in spring. Our vets arranged an evening with a laminitis expert from Liverpool -very interesting even for those not afflicted by the dreaded disease - and apparently we do them no favours by feeding to maintain the same weight throughout the year. Your boy sounds absolutely fine - I wish my hairy cob would drop a bit more over the winter!
Mine always went off a bit from January to March, but was fine then for 24/7 summer turnout and put it all back on ready for next winter. Never suffered laminitis in 20 odd years. I think it's healthier for them than coming out of winter too well.
Thank you for reassuring me. All the cobs and nativeson the yard that look great will be in thier stable or starvation paddock all summer... Ari will be out enjoying the grass and freedom.
I agree with the comments above. Unfortunately there's one lady on the yard who really has a go at me when my boys drop a little (never thin) over winter - despite my farrier and vet being more than happy with their condition.
Roger is now 24 and sound (hacking no regularly but not such high mileage as previously) and Chips is eight (can you believe it)? Neither have ever had a hint of lami.
Caryn
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud) aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips" The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
Oh Caryn, clearly the lady giving you hassle is both uneducated and dare I say a tad interfering. When my old lady was in her very late 20's I can remember saying to our vet "can't get any weight on her" the reply was "overweight horses don't make to this age".
I think it's normal for horses to drop a bit of condition in winter it's much healthier than going into spring looking a bit tubby as then they are in danger of getting too fat very quickly, I saw a few cobs last week and can honestly say they looked obese and yet some people think this is how they should look.
Metabolism
Posted - 06 Feb 2017 : 7:11:26 PM
