And alas, it’s not me.
Foster has been gaining and losing weight since our move three weeks ago, but unfortunately it has been a mostly downward trend. Earlier this week I was shocked to get to the barn and actually see his ribs, a difference that occurred within 2 days of my last visit. Of course my immediate reaction was to feel dramatic, and like a terrible horse owner. I hope I am not, but still I cannot decide what factor has contributed to this less-than-ideal body weight.
I’m not sure if it’s the continuing bad weather that has caused the drop, the stress of the barn change, or any other number of things. Grass is of course minimal to non-existent, but he has a nice big round bale that he should be eating. He is on a weight gain supplement, and is getting heaps of Alfalfa mash every time I see him. His exercise has, if anything, decreased. And although he seems a little flinchy and spooky in the barn, he relaxes nicely when I ride him outside.
So, we’re adding to his grain and working with the barn managers to make sure he is blanketed well in the nightly below-freezing temps. He’ll be getting the next couple days to just sit and eat, and I’m hoping that he’s a bit plumper when I see him again on Sunday. If he doesn’t change by mid next week, I may be looking to switch supplements, increase grain again, or both. Meanwhile, I’ll be trying not to gorge myself on Cadbury eggs! Ugh, the irony!
Eat up, bud!
Red on the Right 
Hopefully everything smoothes out and he puts the weight back on 🙂
I don’t think he looks too bad so don’t be too hard on yourself!
Thanks! I sent the pics to my vet friend who told me I shouldn’t worry too much- but that’s my baby! Haha it’s so easy to be dramatic when it’s my precious! 😛
Wiz is getting a whole scoop of grain plus half a scoop of beet pulp every morning and evening, with a scoop of rice bran supplement and animed anigest for digestion… I hate it because the extra grain makes him a little wilder, but I wanted to make sure he kept his weight!! So far it’s seemed to work. I hope Foster figures out his weight soon and it’s not something serious! Hopefully grass will be back asap
Ohh, rice bran supplement? Do tell!
And yes, I’m not crazy about adding more and more grain- but Foster’s definitely on the lazy side (especially now that he’s not feeling his oats – ha, ha) so a bit more should be ok for the moment!
Mine is in the same boat! One day she looks fabulous, a few days later those ribs are sticking out!! I’m attempting to pack on weight back on mine, more hay, and some additional grain. Fingers crossed for both of us that they pack it back on pretty quickly. 🙂
Yes! It’s amazing how quickly they lose and gain weight, for such large creatures! Good luck to you guys on your weight gain journey as well!
I wish that was how my diet worked!! 🙂
He is a darling fellow! It is nice you can up his grain without him becoming wild. 2 days seems like a fast occurrence for such weight loss. It might be stress, but maybe check his feces for worms if he keeps dropping weight? Also, you are cracking me up with your “alas, it’s not me” and “gorge myself on Cadbury eggs” haha. That was great. 🙂
That he is! 🙂
A fecal exam definitely might be in his future if the extra grain doesn’t help! I’ve got my fingers crossed though that he just needs some extra groceries!
And I’m completely for serious about the eggs. My husband actually has to hide my stashes of Cadbury’s easter chocolate (with my permission of course), otherwise I will eat them until my teeth rot. It’s ridiculous! 😛
Good luck with the extra food, keep us posted!
Haha, he hid them! That is brilliant. That needs to be done for me too. I am like a pony in the feed room. No self-control when it comes to the Reese’s eggs.
Simon has been looking a little gaunt so I did his teeth and did a powerpak wormer. Hope it helps!
Worming crossed my mind as well… Definitely another thing to consider if more food doesn’t help! Hope it helps Simon!
I went through this with Miles — he was a bit skinny when I got him in Sept, gained weight in the early winter and then got too hot from all the grain, so we backed him down. But we backed down too much and just recently had to increase a bit again.
It can be so hard to find the right balance!
I’m with you on the Cadbury eggs- yum central! Hope he fills out soon!
Ermahgerd! So good!
Pingback: Resolution Check-In | A House on a Hill
Pingback: [Flying] Changes a comin’! | A House on a Hill
Pingback: Getting desperate | A House on a Hill
Pingback: Just for Kicks: Feeding programs | A House on a Hill
Pingback: 2014 Accomplishments Part I: The Horse | A House on a Hill
Pingback: Let’s Discuss: What’s in a Boarding Barn | A House on a Hill