Loosing weight.

Meggilyn · 11-03-2009, 03:58 PM

Jake's been on 24/7 turnout with free choice hay for 3 months now and he's lost weight. I'm wondering if I should supplement with grain or blanket or both during the winter so that he doesn't have to use up his energy trying to keep warm.

I'll get pictures soon to show you guys.

ZipItNita · 11-03-2009, 04:10 PM

Honestly, there could be A LOT of factors contributing to his weight loss. How many horses is he pastured with? Where is he on the dominance chain IF he is with horses? How long has it been since he's been wormed? How is his hair/coat? Is it soft and smooth, or ratty and split ended and dull? Do you ride him? What is the hay quality he's getting [better yet, what type]?

Meggilyn · 11-03-2009, 04:19 PM

He's on the bottom end, but they have 3 round bales out, he stays at the "reject" bale with the oldies lol and the rest of the herd leaves them alone.
He's out with 8 other horses, has a run in. Wormed two weeks ago. His coat is kinda dull, I'm not sure if that's because he's been covered in mudd lately when I go up, it's soft when I get him groomed up but I can't get him to shine. It's about an half an inch - an inch long, really growing in the winter fluff. I ride him once or twice a week, he's semi retired cuz of his arthritis.
The hay is homegrown, I was gonna get tested next paycheck. I think it's 50/50 timothy alfalfa but I'll have to confirm that.
The rest of the horses are nice and round.

This is Jake's first year in 5 years being out 24/7 and he's older now as well.

ZipItNita · 11-03-2009, 04:34 PM

Then he may just require a little more feed. Is there any ways to put him in during the night with his own bit of hay to nibble on without any other horses bullying him? You may consider putting him on a senior grain of some sort, and blanketing him when it gets really cold. Maybe even put him on some sort of senior supplement so you can be sure he's getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

Meggilyn · 11-03-2009, 05:05 PM

Thanks for your help

I'll look into some feeds.

Dawn · 11-03-2009, 05:41 PM

What was his feeding and housing situatoin prior to the 24/7 turnout?

Meggilyn · 11-06-2009, 06:31 PM

he was pampered at his old barn, but I know he's lived outdoors before. He actually tore down his stall the first night he was in. lol

but he was hayed and grained twice a day and blanketed from September to May, inside at night, turnout for maybe 3 hours a day. I know he's happier outside but yeah I was worried about the difference.

I got a few pics, no body pics really but he looks shiney sorta through the hair.

This is him and his best friend Nash.

Dawn · 11-06-2009, 06:59 PM

You happen to know how much of what type of grain he was getting?

Cute boy!

Meggilyn · 11-08-2009, 04:49 PM

thanks.
yeah he was getting a cup of gro n win at his old place with beetpulp and carrots twice a day.

Dawn · 11-08-2009, 04:54 PM

How much beet pulp? (Just trying to determine how much his nutrition and calories have changed.)

11-03-2009, 03:58 PM	#1
Meggilyn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 460 Images: 10	Loosing weight. Jake's been on 24/7 turnout with free choice hay for 3 months now and he's lost weight. I'm wondering if I should supplement with grain or blanket or both during the winter so that he doesn't have to use up his energy trying to keep warm. I'll get pictures soon to show you guys. __________________ Expecting To Fly aka "Jake" - 16hh Appendix QH <3

11-03-2009, 04:19 PM	#3
Meggilyn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 460 Images: 10	He's on the bottom end, but they have 3 round bales out, he stays at the "reject" bale with the oldies lol and the rest of the herd leaves them alone. He's out with 8 other horses, has a run in. Wormed two weeks ago. His coat is kinda dull, I'm not sure if that's because he's been covered in mudd lately when I go up, it's soft when I get him groomed up but I can't get him to shine. It's about an half an inch - an inch long, really growing in the winter fluff. I ride him once or twice a week, he's semi retired cuz of his arthritis. The hay is homegrown, I was gonna get tested next paycheck. I think it's 50/50 timothy alfalfa but I'll have to confirm that. The rest of the horses are nice and round. This is Jake's first year in 5 years being out 24/7 and he's older now as well. __________________ Expecting To Fly aka "Jake" - 16hh Appendix QH <3

11-03-2009, 05:05 PM	#5
Meggilyn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 460 Images: 10	Thanks for your help I'll look into some feeds. __________________ Expecting To Fly aka "Jake" - 16hh Appendix QH <3

11-03-2009, 05:41 PM	#6
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 37,203 Images: 1580	What was his feeding and housing situatoin prior to the 24/7 turnout? __________________ Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Goal: 11 lbs LOST CURRENT: 4 lbs LOST Starting Weight 170 lbs. Goal Weight 155 lbs. Reached! 20 pound club 2009 Starting Weight 152 lbs. Goal Weight 140 lbs. Reached!

11-06-2009, 06:31 PM	#7
Meggilyn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 460 Images: 10	he was pampered at his old barn, but I know he's lived outdoors before. He actually tore down his stall the first night he was in. lol but he was hayed and grained twice a day and blanketed from September to May, inside at night, turnout for maybe 3 hours a day. I know he's happier outside but yeah I was worried about the difference. I got a few pics, no body pics really but he looks shiney sorta through the hair. This is him and his best friend Nash. __________________ Expecting To Fly aka "Jake" - 16hh Appendix QH <3

11-03-2009, 04:10 PM	#2
ZipItNita Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 34	Honestly, there could be A LOT of factors contributing to his weight loss. How many horses is he pastured with? Where is he on the dominance chain IF he is with horses? How long has it been since he's been wormed? How is his hair/coat? Is it soft and smooth, or ratty and split ended and dull? Do you ride him? What is the hay quality he's getting [better yet, what type]?

11-03-2009, 04:34 PM	#4
ZipItNita Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 34	Then he may just require a little more feed. Is there any ways to put him in during the night with his own bit of hay to nibble on without any other horses bullying him? You may consider putting him on a senior grain of some sort, and blanketing him when it gets really cold. Maybe even put him on some sort of senior supplement so you can be sure he's getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

11-06-2009, 06:59 PM	#8
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 37,203 Images: 1580	You happen to know how much of what type of grain he was getting? Cute boy! __________________ Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Goal: 11 lbs LOST CURRENT: 4 lbs LOST Starting Weight 170 lbs. Goal Weight 155 lbs. Reached! 20 pound club 2009 Starting Weight 152 lbs. Goal Weight 140 lbs. Reached!

11-08-2009, 04:49 PM	#9
Meggilyn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 460 Images: 10	thanks. yeah he was getting a cup of gro n win at his old place with beetpulp and carrots twice a day. __________________ Expecting To Fly aka "Jake" - 16hh Appendix QH <3

11-08-2009, 04:54 PM	#10
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 37,203 Images: 1580	How much beet pulp? (Just trying to determine how much his nutrition and calories have changed.) __________________ Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Goal: 11 lbs LOST CURRENT: 4 lbs LOST Starting Weight 170 lbs. Goal Weight 155 lbs. Reached! 20 pound club 2009 Starting Weight 152 lbs. Goal Weight 140 lbs. Reached!

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