My Paso lost so much weight, please help.

[babydoggy]

I changed barns and I am boarding at a nice place (450 per month) which what seems to be knowledgeable people.
My Paso Gelding is 8 years old and used to be ridden 3 times a week. He was in good shape and his chest seemed nicely filled out (for a Paso..)
Everything changed when I had to go to Germany to take care of ailing parents there. I was not able to check in on him and was told that he is doing fine and eating well
I went there today and was very unhappy. He looked like a little Welsh pony. Chicken chested and skinny (did not show bones). He acts happy and balanced.
What should I do. I could not reach the owner today but will speak with her tomorrow. How can I built him up? Will he built himself up with regular round pen work and some riding ?
What you all suggest to feed him --I don't want him too hot either.
Please advise. I am upset though. You pay people and when you leave you have a horse and when you get back you have a skinny pony.

[redboy]

How long were you gone for? Maybe it's a conditioning issue, was anyone riding him for you? Also, how long has he been there? Maybe he was stressed from the move and the changes to his schedule, new herd situation, different turn out schedule, or potency of pasture, hay, grain, less actual work, and or change in work schedule, etc.
Also, when did he last have his teeth done? Could be there are some dental problems that need to be addressed.
I know its upsetting to see dramatic differences in weight, but also could it be that since you were gone for some time, that you are now looking at him in a different way, more critically? PLUS, I really have to mention the pasture issue again,..., this is the time of year that pasture really begins to drop off, and could be time to start supplementing with grain. Maybe if he wasn't getting worked they didn't want to maintain a grain schedule b/c of tying up/azotoria, or colic/laminites issues.
I'm sure once you speak with the barn manager, you'll feel better. Or at least understand their management practices better.
Don't worry, I'm sure he'll pick back up in NO time. Redboy

[babydoggy]

Hi Redboy, thanks for that good info. I will be there today and bring up these issues. He was not worked at all for about 6 weeks. And, you are right, the change in places must have added stress. Should I start in the round pen with some work or ride him with his weight loss ?

[Tobiesmom]

Can you post some pictures? That might help us better advise you. Everyone's idea of ideal weight varies a bit. Personally, I would bring his weight back up before riding. You need to get at the source of his weight loss first. Is he really thin (you say 'no bones showing') or is he just in good thrifty pasture condition? Talk with your Barn Owner/Manager and see what he/she thinks. Have a vet check. Is it teeth/ stress? (check all the things Redboy suggested) You would expect some decline in condition if the horse is idle, but the horse shouldn't have completely de-conditioned in just 6 weeks.

If it's just a matter of needing more caloric intake, let his weight begin building - then start some light roundpen work. You can't build bulk if the horse doesn't have the additional nutrition to support it's basic functions plus have enough extra calories to burn with exercise. You'll be working at cross-purposes if you try to increase his weight while working him at the same time.

Hay is the best for horses. Be sure he has access to adequate quality hay and grasses. Then you can add some of the senior horse grain/pelleted products for some 'safe' additional calories that shouldn't make him hot. Let us know how the conversation goes tonight with your barn manager. Good luck!

[cindyf]

Post pic's before and after if you have them. If you were only gone 6 weeks I highly doubt he is "out of shape", and in 6 weeks he should have settled enough by then to stop loosing weight and settle in. If you his owner thinks he's skinny then he's skinny. Ask the BO what they are feeding and how much. I would be very upset if I was paying that much in board and come back to that. Post pic's let us see!

[A J]

Well, do you have any before and after pics? That would make it easier to give you a better assesment. If he wasn't worked at all for six weeks and was worked regularly before that, it could possibly be nothing more than conditioning. The gelding I'm currently working with has a serious lack of muscle that makes him look thin, but most of his problem is a lack of conditioning. Some more regular work and he's started to fill out slowly but surely.

For my guy, I put him on some beet pulp mixed with a little Omelene 200 (50 pounds of each equally mixed). He's only on 1/2 - 3/4 scoop of that (depending on his work load) VERY well soaked with some electrolytes. This and plenty of hay has taken away the very slight ribby-ness he had and he's continued to fill out with the increased work load.

Granted, he's only doing groundwork at this point (actually sat on him for the first time a couple days ago, we'll only be riding 1-2 days/week for awhile yet), and he's doing well with his current feed.

The beet pulp is nice for adding some weight without making them hot. This guy tends towards lazier, so I got the performance grain as opposed to a lower workload grain.

[Slim Pikkens]

Many of us are inclined to keep our horses tubby thinking they are in good shape, when they are not and in danger of founder. Perhaps your barn owner felt he needed to lose a little weight to avoid these health issues. As others have said, a nice chat is in order to allay your fears. And some horses can take up to 6 months to settle in. I should add-an importan question to ask is if he's laying down to sleep, whereby he can really stretch out if that's what he likes. The change may mean he's sleep deprived and yes horses need the all-important 4th stage of sleep which occurs when laying down.