Is he too skinny?

[SeeingSpots]

He gets fed a huge net plus hay on floor as they don’t have a lot of grass in the field due to having the same summer and winter paddock, and his treat ball. Also he gets chaff morning and night.

He gets worked 6 days out of 7 and his energy levels/stamina are absolutely top at the minute but noticed on these pics that I can see ribs and it’s panicked me.

 

[SeeingSpots]

Actually I don’t think that’s his ribs I think it’s where the light is falling because he’s wet

Ok what does everyone think of his weight?

Thanks xx

 

[Frances144]

No, he is well covered.

 

[Kite_Rider]

He's definitely not too skinny, I wouldn't worry if you could see ribs a little rat this time of year anyway.

 

[SeeingSpots]

Phew, thanks so much! Xx

 

[OwnedbyChanter]

Nope not skinny at all

 

[carthorse]

I want to see ribs on a good doer this time of year, and I don't see them in those photos. He's certainly not skinny.

 

[Huggy]

Not at all, looks great.

 

[SeeingSpots]

Thank you all xx

 

[diplomaticandtactful]

I can just see and feel Buddy's ribs and he has a bit of a tummy. yours looks fine.

 

[joosie]

No not skinny. He could do with being a bit lighter to be honest.

 

[SeeingSpots]

No not skinny. He could do with being a bit lighter to be honest.

Agh really? He’s lost tons since last summer lol

 

[hepsibah]

Yep. There is barely any definition between neck and shoulder, his flanks are flat across and he has a gutter down his back. He's fat. Keep a close eye on his weight coming into spring and summer; laminitis is a terrible thing.

 

[Mary Poppins]

I agree with the others. He definitely isn’t too skinny and is verging on being a little overweight. I have seen far worse but he does have a nice covering on him.

 

[Huggy]

If you want to feel better, have a look at Hogan, he's a real chubber!

 

[Huggy]

Sorry meant to attach photo of my wide load

 

[Jessey]

Yeah he's definitely not skinny, he looks well covered, perhaps too covered for the time of year. Do you use 'body condition scoring', it's a good way to get a feel for weight.

 

[Lemme]

No, you should be able to feel the Ribs, i can't see them myself in the photos. I would be reducing some of what you are feeding him, don,t be fooled by nothing in the field as they are on it all year, 2 of ours are out on paddocks that have been grazed 24/7 365, one gets a chaff unmollased feed twice a day and the old girl gets her senior mix twice a day, no extra forage needed , the old girl struggles for weight but okay at moment, our younger Mare needs more work and is restricted work load to be increased otherwise she will be fat!

 

[SeeingSpots]

Yep. There is barely any definition between neck and shoulder, his flanks are flat across and he has a gutter down his back. He's fat. Keep a close eye on his weight coming into spring and summer; laminitis is a terrible thing.

He won’t get lammy there’s no flippin grass

 

[hepsibah]

It's not about grass, it's an endocrine issue caused by being fat.