Are they healthy or skinny?

cascy · 08-18-2006, 10:21 AM

I'm going to post some pics of my boys and would like to know if you think they are healthy and fine or way to skinny as a freind seems to think, Keep in mind that the pally was a rescue and is just now getting to what I would consider ok. They don't have much for grass but they are grained twice a day with strategy, and have free choice hay.
Well here they are...

Kelly4NC · 08-18-2006, 10:36 AM

I think they all look pretty good, he pally, needs just a little more pounds, thats it. But over all they are all great.

ron · 08-18-2006, 10:37 AM

all depends on how you like your horses

at my house they would be considered too skinny (except for the tobi)

but someone else may consider 'em fine.

all opinions

Drafty · 08-18-2006, 10:37 AM

The rule of thumb is you should be able to feel the ribs, but not see them. In breeds that naturally have less substance, Thoroughbreds and Arabians are coming to mind, I would think that a few ribs showing is fine. In my humble opinion, your horses look healthy. Most seem to have good muscle tone, the paint might even have a hay belly. And that pally is one good looking boy... if you don't want him I'd happily take him off your hands.

sparkyharky · 08-18-2006, 12:35 PM

They look fine to me.

Morwen · 08-18-2006, 12:53 PM

The palomino could use a tiny bit more fat on his bones.

But all your other horses look perfectly fine! Not too skinny at all!

miss leanne · 08-18-2006, 12:58 PM

the tobiano looks to be a good weight. the liver chestnut/bay (not quite sure what color to call him!) and palomino could use a little more fat through their withers and hips, though I suppose it's really a preferance thing. The colt with the blaze looks fine to me. None of them are 'way too skinny'. But, if they were my horses, I would supplement the palomino and liver chestnut. JMHO, of course.

Orchid · 08-18-2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miss leanne

the tobiano looks to be a good weight. the liver chestnut/bay (not quite sure what color to call him!) and palomino could use a little more fat through their withers and hips, though I suppose it's really a preferance thing. The colt with the blaze looks fine to me. None of them are 'way too skinny'. But, if they were my horses, I would supplement the palomino and liver chestnut. JMHO, of course.

Ditto!

cascy · 08-18-2006, 01:02 PM

Well you all are making me feel a little better, the way the other girl talked she thought I should be turned in for starvin them to death! They don't starve by any means, I might, but they won't. Her horses all look like that seattle. She was really starting to make me think that they looked really bad!

I am really not sure what else to do to get more weight on them that I am not all ready doing... If it would rain and they could get some grass that would probably help!

cascy · 08-18-2006, 01:07 PM

The liver/ chestnut? Do you mean newt? The brown with the butt shot? or the one in the pic with the pally? The one in the pic with the pally is 24 or 25 yrs old and He pretty well stays like that, he is appendix or tb. And just doesn't gain for anything that I have tried. I do give him feedings seperated from the others and he gets weight builder in his feed but still doesn't get any bigger. Could it be his age?

allison · 08-18-2006, 01:10 PM

I agree with the above posts too. As long as I can't see the ribs, they are ok. You have gorgeous horses, and they all look healthy. Maybe the brown horse just needs some more muscle tone. The Pali is a very pretty boy, and you can see he's getting to where he needs to be. He doesn't look unhealthy, just needs a little more fat over his ribs. The horse in the last pic looks good too. You can tell by his build, he's a lot leaner compared to the others.

miss leanne · 08-18-2006, 01:13 PM

i've found that corn oil and/or beet pulp added to almost any senior feed works beautifully on most horses that don't have teeth/digestive issues. Corn oil also makes their coats GORGEOUS. Sorry if you already knew that trick.

But no, they are in no way starving. Maybe mildly underfleshed, but definantly NOT anything to call about. In my opinion, people who call on horses that aren't in danger really waste resources that could be used on horses that are really in trouble.
But I don't think that John Lyon's Seattle is all that big either. His neck isn't cresty, nor does he have fat dimples. And his flanks still have a nice definition. I think he's just a BIG horse, genetically.
Again (and again!), JMHO.

cascy · 08-18-2006, 01:16 PM

Now corn oil, is that the stuff i cook with?

Can you tell I don't cook much? I asked about beet pulp at our feed mill and they looked at me like I was stupid and then said well if you read the ingredients, most feeds have it mixed in the pellets? I'm lost!!! HELP!!!

miss leanne · 08-18-2006, 01:23 PM

the one with the butt shot, and in the pic grazing is who I was referring to, but the one in the pic with the palomino could use a little supplementing too.
Like I said, though, none of your horses are starving.

Corn oil IS the stuff you get at the supermarket. There are conflicts about it's use, but in my experience, it really has worked WONDERS. It also helps them slip their winter coats in the spring. It's high in fat, which makes them shiny (and... er... FAT! hehe!) I don't know if you feed oat or alfalfa or grass hay or what, but I've also found that alfalfa meal/pellets help a lot with older horses too.
anyway, here is a helpful article on the subject outlining some things you could do for your older horse, and for general upkeep of the hard-keepers. Good luck!

miss leanne · 08-18-2006, 01:24 PM

forgot the link to the article...

http://www.horses-and-horse-informat...02nogain.shtml

also, here's a great article about beet pulp. you CAN get JUST beet pulp, don't let those folks at the feed store buffalo you. they just aren't edjumicated enough to know about it!
http://shady-acres.com/susan/beetpulp.shtml

anyway, hope it helps! I used to ride a horse that looked a lot like that liver chestnut, he was an absolute GAS to ride. He was also hard to keep weight on. Some horses just are, just like people.

beckyp · 08-18-2006, 01:45 PM

They look like they are being well taken care of by you,and true some may need a little more weight. I have 2 that I am adding corn oil to their feed the paint is 3 and hasn't grown into his frame yet and mare is 25 and was fat and had not been ridden in 2-3 years. My oldest granddaughter rode her-not strenously in pasture and weight started dropping off her. We also give them hay and let them graze-they have tendency to escape from pasture so we keep them in. They are not in small stalls but big area where they can move around and lay down when we are at work. They got out the other day and one of neighbors called and complained that we were starving them and they would call humane shelter. They are fed and watered every morning,turned out for several hours each evening and days we are off so we can monitor them they are left out. IMO they don't know squat about what we do or don't do. My TB gelding has to be on weight builder every winter because he is prone to lose weight then. Our appy and pony are fat and sassy.

crittermom · 08-18-2006, 02:22 PM

They don't look like they are starving to me----and I like my horses "chunky".

Mule Fool · 08-18-2006, 02:42 PM

I think they look fine. But I guess my pet peeve is obese horses. the paint actually looks fat to me but I think he's just kind of built that way. I don't think it would hurt if they were carrying a LITTLE more weight, but really I think they're fine.

cowgirlmommy · 08-18-2006, 03:07 PM

IIMO, they all look fine! The palomino is a beauty, but maybe, just maybe, a tad too thin. But that is just my opinion. The paint is amazing! And really,they all look pretty good! What do you think about them yourself

I would not worry too much, just add to their diet a bit if you ARE worried! I have a 12 year old TB mare who I ride everyday for at least 1-2 hours sometimes twice a day, and TB's are a bit more thin built, and I have a hard time feeling her ribs and we can not see them!! Our vet says she is great though, so maybe ask your vet and see what they think! Take care and your horses are really beautiful!

cascy · 08-19-2006, 07:00 PM

Thanks yall

08-18-2006, 10:21 AM
cascy Bombproof Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 7,865	Are they healthy or skinny? I'm going to post some pics of my boys and would like to know if you think they are healthy and fine or way to skinny as a freind seems to think, Keep in mind that the pally was a rescue and is just now getting to what I would consider ok. They don't have much for grass but they are grained twice a day with strategy, and have free choice hay. Well here they are... __________________ "How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right."~Black Hawk

08-18-2006, 10:36 AM
Kelly4NC Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Clyde, NC > 9 miles of friendly people, plus 1 old crab Posts: 3,248	I think they all look pretty good, he pally, needs just a little more pounds, thats it. But over all they are all great. __________________ *Support the wild horses on North Carolina Outer Banks* http://www.corollawildhorses.com/

08-18-2006, 10:37 AM
ron Started Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 2,810	all depends on how you like your horses at my house they would be considered too skinny (except for the tobi) but someone else may consider 'em fine. all opinions __________________ Well now boogie little baby, boogie woogie all night long. A haw, haw, haw, haw, a haw.

08-18-2006, 10:37 AM
Drafty Coming two Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,567	The rule of thumb is you should be able to feel the ribs, but not see them. In breeds that naturally have less substance, Thoroughbreds and Arabians are coming to mind, I would think that a few ribs showing is fine. In my humble opinion, your horses look healthy. Most seem to have good muscle tone, the paint might even have a hay belly. And that pally is one good looking boy... if you don't want him I'd happily take him off your hands. __________________ "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi Breeding solid paints is like breeding spotless Appys - just plain wrong!

08-18-2006, 12:35 PM
sparkyharky Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 843	They look fine to me.

08-18-2006, 12:53 PM
Morwen Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 223	The palomino could use a tiny bit more fat on his bones. But all your other horses look perfectly fine! Not too skinny at all!

08-18-2006, 12:58 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,524	the tobiano looks to be a good weight. the liver chestnut/bay (not quite sure what color to call him!) and palomino could use a little more fat through their withers and hips, though I suppose it's really a preferance thing. The colt with the blaze looks fine to me. None of them are 'way too skinny'. But, if they were my horses, I would supplement the palomino and liver chestnut. JMHO, of course.

08-18-2006, 01:02 PM
cascy Bombproof Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 7,865	Well you all are making me feel a little better, the way the other girl talked she thought I should be turned in for starvin them to death! They don't starve by any means, I might, but they won't. Her horses all look like that seattle. She was really starting to make me think that they looked really bad! I am really not sure what else to do to get more weight on them that I am not all ready doing... If it would rain and they could get some grass that would probably help! __________________ "How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right."~Black Hawk

08-18-2006, 01:07 PM
cascy Bombproof Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 7,865	The liver/ chestnut? Do you mean newt? The brown with the butt shot? or the one in the pic with the pally? The one in the pic with the pally is 24 or 25 yrs old and He pretty well stays like that, he is appendix or tb. And just doesn't gain for anything that I have tried. I do give him feedings seperated from the others and he gets weight builder in his feed but still doesn't get any bigger. Could it be his age? __________________ "How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right."~Black Hawk

08-18-2006, 01:10 PM
allison Started Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kenosha, WI. Posts: 2,225	I agree with the above posts too. As long as I can't see the ribs, they are ok. You have gorgeous horses, and they all look healthy. Maybe the brown horse just needs some more muscle tone. The Pali is a very pretty boy, and you can see he's getting to where he needs to be. He doesn't look unhealthy, just needs a little more fat over his ribs. The horse in the last pic looks good too. You can tell by his build, he's a lot leaner compared to the others. __________________ Horses & Horsepower www.freewebs.com/mustangali_/ "...just like computers refuse to understand how I'm feeling today"

08-18-2006, 01:13 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,524	i've found that corn oil and/or beet pulp added to almost any senior feed works beautifully on most horses that don't have teeth/digestive issues. Corn oil also makes their coats GORGEOUS. Sorry if you already knew that trick. But no, they are in no way starving. Maybe mildly underfleshed, but definantly NOT anything to call about. In my opinion, people who call on horses that aren't in danger really waste resources that could be used on horses that are really in trouble. But I don't think that John Lyon's Seattle is all that big either. His neck isn't cresty, nor does he have fat dimples. And his flanks still have a nice definition. I think he's just a BIG horse, genetically. Again (and again!), JMHO.

08-18-2006, 01:16 PM
cascy Bombproof Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 7,865	Now corn oil, is that the stuff i cook with? Can you tell I don't cook much? I asked about beet pulp at our feed mill and they looked at me like I was stupid and then said well if you read the ingredients, most feeds have it mixed in the pellets? I'm lost!!! HELP!!! __________________ "How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right."~Black Hawk

08-18-2006, 01:23 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,524	the one with the butt shot, and in the pic grazing is who I was referring to, but the one in the pic with the palomino could use a little supplementing too. Like I said, though, none of your horses are starving. Corn oil IS the stuff you get at the supermarket. There are conflicts about it's use, but in my experience, it really has worked WONDERS. It also helps them slip their winter coats in the spring. It's high in fat, which makes them shiny (and... er... FAT! hehe!) I don't know if you feed oat or alfalfa or grass hay or what, but I've also found that alfalfa meal/pellets help a lot with older horses too. anyway, here is a helpful article on the subject outlining some things you could do for your older horse, and for general upkeep of the hard-keepers. Good luck!

08-18-2006, 01:24 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,524	forgot the link to the article... http://www.horses-and-horse-informat...02nogain.shtml also, here's a great article about beet pulp. you CAN get JUST beet pulp, don't let those folks at the feed store buffalo you. they just aren't edjumicated enough to know about it! http://shady-acres.com/susan/beetpulp.shtml anyway, hope it helps! I used to ride a horse that looked a lot like that liver chestnut, he was an absolute GAS to ride. He was also hard to keep weight on. Some horses just are, just like people.

08-18-2006, 01:45 PM
beckyp Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: utica,ky Posts: 4,509	They look like they are being well taken care of by you,and true some may need a little more weight. I have 2 that I am adding corn oil to their feed the paint is 3 and hasn't grown into his frame yet and mare is 25 and was fat and had not been ridden in 2-3 years. My oldest granddaughter rode her-not strenously in pasture and weight started dropping off her. We also give them hay and let them graze-they have tendency to escape from pasture so we keep them in. They are not in small stalls but big area where they can move around and lay down when we are at work. They got out the other day and one of neighbors called and complained that we were starving them and they would call humane shelter. They are fed and watered every morning,turned out for several hours each evening and days we are off so we can monitor them they are left out. IMO they don't know squat about what we do or don't do. My TB gelding has to be on weight builder every winter because he is prone to lose weight then. Our appy and pony are fat and sassy.

08-18-2006, 02:22 PM
crittermom Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,256	They don't look like they are starving to me----and I like my horses "chunky". __________________ Peace!! I wish the people of the world could get along as well as the animals in my backyard.

08-18-2006, 02:42 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	I think they look fine. But I guess my pet peeve is obese horses. the paint actually looks fat to me but I think he's just kind of built that way. I don't think it would hurt if they were carrying a LITTLE more weight, but really I think they're fine.

08-18-2006, 03:07 PM
cowgirlmommy Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Rocky Mountains of British Columbia! Posts: 1,469	IIMO, they all look fine! The palomino is a beauty, but maybe, just maybe, a tad too thin. But that is just my opinion. The paint is amazing! And really,they all look pretty good! What do you think about them yourself I would not worry too much, just add to their diet a bit if you ARE worried! I have a 12 year old TB mare who I ride everyday for at least 1-2 hours sometimes twice a day, and TB's are a bit more thin built, and I have a hard time feeling her ribs and we can not see them!! Our vet says she is great though, so maybe ask your vet and see what they think! Take care and your horses are really beautiful! __________________ "There is no seceret closer than the one shared between rider and horse." www.rockymountainridingservices.webs.com

08-19-2006, 07:00 PM
cascy Bombproof Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 7,865	Thanks yall __________________ "How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right."~Black Hawk