Big Belly?

Kiraral · 07-17-2007, 05:46 PM

And I don't simply mean fat. Okay, Joe is fat, although he's lost weight since i got him and is on a diet. The thing is he has a big gut. Even if you could see his ribs he'd still be big below them, if that makes sense. What can I do? He's de-wormed, so it's not that. Thanks.

dklarson · 07-17-2007, 08:13 PM

It may be that he has a "hay belly". Hay bellis are usually a stretched or distended abdomen caused by overindulgence in grass or hay & indicates that poor quality forage is being provided. The large intestine will retain poor quality forages longer trying to get as much nutrition as possible. That will stretch the large intestine causing the hay belly appearance. Good quality forage will shrink the hindgut back to normal size.

You can also reduce the total volume of feed that passes through his system by feeding a well-balanced complete feed to reduce total volume without adversely impacting the amount of fiber and nutrients needed for proper digestion and nutrition.

Basic Understanding of the Equine Digestive System

JBandRio · 07-18-2007, 03:44 AM

What "diet" is he on? The belly you describe can indeed be from poor quality forage, and it can be from lack of adequate nutrients, as well as not enough digestive bacteria to deal with the food properly.

Kiraral · 07-18-2007, 04:03 AM

thanks
(I would direct you to my other thread, JBR, but you found it

)

JBandRio · 07-18-2007, 07:22 AM

Ahh, gotcha, I didn't connect the 2, sorry! Very often I don't even notice who's posting a thread

It would help to consolidate your information - it can be very difficult to follow questions and answers on multiple threads

Dawn · 07-18-2007, 11:25 AM

Where's the other thread?

Poor forage, inadequate protein/amino acids, sand, worms (and just because you've dewormed does not mean that you're good on this point).

Kiraral · 07-18-2007, 11:29 AM

I'm assuming he's not worm-y because all the horses at the barn are on a schedule that uses different de-wormers to kill different worms, and we haven't had a problem with it yet. It's a schedule from our vet.

JBandRio · 07-18-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn

Where's the other thread?

less feed-nutrients?

Dawn · 07-18-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiraral

I'm assuming he's not worm-y because all the horses at the barn are on a schedule that uses different de-wormers to kill different worms, and we haven't had a problem with it yet. It's a schedule from our vet.

What is this schedule?

07-17-2007, 05:46 PM	#1
Kiraral Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 767 Images: 3	Big Belly? And I don't simply mean fat. Okay, Joe is fat, although he's lost weight since i got him and is on a diet. The thing is he has a big gut. Even if you could see his ribs he'd still be big below them, if that makes sense. What can I do? He's de-wormed, so it's not that. Thanks. __________________ Oh Joe...that's not for eating! RIP Rainy. In my heart forever

07-18-2007, 03:44 AM	#3
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 21,453 Images: 131 Blog Entries: 12	What "diet" is he on? The belly you describe can indeed be from poor quality forage, and it can be from lack of adequate nutrients, as well as not enough digestive bacteria to deal with the food properly. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

07-18-2007, 04:03 AM	#4
Kiraral Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 767 Images: 3	thanks (I would direct you to my other thread, JBR, but you found it ) __________________ Oh Joe...that's not for eating! RIP Rainy. In my heart forever

07-18-2007, 07:22 AM	#5
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 21,453 Images: 131 Blog Entries: 12	Ahh, gotcha, I didn't connect the 2, sorry! Very often I don't even notice who's posting a thread It would help to consolidate your information - it can be very difficult to follow questions and answers on multiple threads __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

07-18-2007, 11:29 AM	#7
Kiraral Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 767 Images: 3	I'm assuming he's not worm-y because all the horses at the barn are on a schedule that uses different de-wormers to kill different worms, and we haven't had a problem with it yet. It's a schedule from our vet. __________________ Oh Joe...that's not for eating! RIP Rainy. In my heart forever

07-17-2007, 08:13 PM	#2
dklarson Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Litchfield, MN Posts: 365	It may be that he has a "hay belly". Hay bellis are usually a stretched or distended abdomen caused by overindulgence in grass or hay & indicates that poor quality forage is being provided. The large intestine will retain poor quality forages longer trying to get as much nutrition as possible. That will stretch the large intestine causing the hay belly appearance. Good quality forage will shrink the hindgut back to normal size. You can also reduce the total volume of feed that passes through his system by feeding a well-balanced complete feed to reduce total volume without adversely impacting the amount of fiber and nutrients needed for proper digestion and nutrition. Basic Understanding of the Equine Digestive System

07-18-2007, 11:25 AM	#6
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,612 Images: 1283	Where's the other thread? Poor forage, inadequate protein/amino acids, sand, worms (and just because you've dewormed does not mean that you're good on this point).

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