Horses that seem too fat

[Samantha S]

This is the first time that I have posted on this site. I love reading all the info. and must say that it has helped me out alot. I was wondering if someone could give me their opinion. I have a mini that is current on worming, shots and is being fed pelleted horse feed and grass hay and has access to a mineral block and water at all times. She seems to be pot gutted(if that is a correct term).She is very fat, but her back bone and hips seem to stick up. Is this where she is too fat or a sign of some other type of a problem. She is healthy with no problems other than this. She is a weanling, and I have wormed her once a month, and for tapeworms.(My vet recommended worming her every month). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

:

 

[Reble]

My opinon is not too fat, might need loose minerals.....

Sounds like she is missing something in her nourishment

:

 

[mistyrose]

Weanling sometimes go through a period like this. Often they need more feed to get rid of the big belly. Check what you are feeding in amounts with your vet and feed man

 

[Samantha S]

What amount of protein is in your feed that you feed your weanlings? Misty Rose you suggested checking my feeding rations do mean in quantity or quality? Thanks.

 

[Becky]

I have found the biggest reason for weanlings to have pot bellies is because they are not able to digest properly what they are being fed.

If you can feel backbone and hip bones, your weanling is likely too thin!

Most everyone here feeds differently, but all of my horses are on Progressive Nutritions' Diet Balancers and it has worked very well for me.

If you're not satisfied with the way your horses look and their body condition, then they are likely not getting the nutrients they need. Protein, vitamins and minerals in the right balance is what our horses need to look, grow and reproduce to their very best. Weanlings don't digest fiber well until they are yearlings or older and they need to be on a very digestible fiber source with the right nutrients to help them digest. The enzymes in their dams milk helps them to digest fiber and here, even after weaning, I keep my weanlings on a milk based foals starter pellet made by Progressive until they are 6 months of age or older.

Hope you get your feeding program figured out and good luck with your horses!

 

[Miniv]

Hi Samantha!

Youngsters do react to a lack in their diet faster than adults. Our pelleted feed is a 14 percent for protien.

No matter how old your mini is, I would check to see what is in your pelleted feed for protien and other nutrients. You might also want to find out how rich the hay is.

I suspect that that something is lacking, since you're up to date with worming. (The other main reason for a potty belly is worms.)

Congratulations on Breaking the Silence and Posting!!! :bgrin

MA

 

[Marty]

HI Samantha, N expert here but I'd have to say that sounds to me like your horse is too thin.

I think it also has a lot to do with just what kind of feed/hay you are providing?

What is the name of the food and what kind of hay?

If either are not a good quality, that could be the reason.

I've also had that same problem in the past with my babies and both times, we had a bout of worms, even on a good de-worming program, some of those darn worms were just still in there. I did a 5 day purge with SafeGuard and then that helped us out a whole lot.

Then after a while, I started them both back on ivermectrin.

And do be sure you are giving them enough of the wormer. You need to check the weight carefully and talk to your vet again about this.

 

[Samantha S]

I took the weanling to the vet for a check up and told him that I was concerned about her condition. He said that she looked healthy and her weight was fine. He gave her a clean bill of health, and said that minis go through a "phase" then will be fine. This just does not seem right. He said I should feed her a 14% feed with good quality hay and she is fine. I already feed a 14% and the hay is good quality. How can I think she looks pot bellied and should be filling out differently and a licenced, trained vet is telling me that I am a worry wort, and that there is nothing to worry about? Has anyone else had this to happen? Thanks

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Sometimes Vets are wrong!!!

First lesson learned.

You are not happy, you are right.

When you have had children you will learn to trust that "gut feeling"

So, have a faecal test done, be firm with your Vet and get that done NOW.

All you need is a small amount of fresh horse poo in a nice clean bag or pot.

Tell the Vet it is coming in and get it done that day- all he or a technician needs to do is have a good look at it.

Chances are the foal is still carrying a worm burden from birth- there are nasty big white worms in foal and they can cause trouble.

Just the routine worming will not get rid of them.

If that is clear have a blood test for Tapeworms done- this is all worth it to eliminate the possibility.

Once all that is done....well, to be honest I am pretty sure that is the problem, so it is easily cured once you know.

DO NOT USE QUEST- WHATEVER YOUR VET SAYS!!!!

Edited to add..

It may well be a hay/feed problem as others have said but it is pointless changing the feed until you have eliminated the chance of worms as all you would be doing is getting REALLY well fed worms!!!!

 

[HGFarm]

Some hay, if not cut at the right time, are nothing more than 'filler'. We have lousy grass hay here- mostly bermuda. We use it for bedding, as it is not worth feeding.

There was an article a couple of years ago in MHW, and we have seen ourselves, that the Minis seem to require more protein than their big cousins. Especially growing youngsters. We feed alfalfa (and have for 35 years without a problem). Every single horse we have purchased (even adults) on a grass diet have had no meat over the back and big bellies. They look like Ethiopan children.

I recommend a really good hay, and a Jr feed like the Purina Equine Jr.- plus your salt, fresh water and a good worming program. Many good suggestions here and I would also follow Rabbits suggestion in doing a fecal to see what needs done there.