|
|
Post by mustangdara on Jun 11, 2009 0:30:56 GMT -5
I was woundering if i need to watch my yearlings weight? Our fields are already dying out and not a lot of lush stuff but....still there is alot to eat and i think she looks big. Should i know worrie about a growing baby to much...or let her graze alot . She is in a large paddock/ field area that was our spot we let them chomp down and then we have 3 larger fields that are tall grass and usally let them out three times a week for most of the day but she looks to be getting fat...not cresty neck fat just belly fat.  |
|
|
|
Post by DianneC on Jun 11, 2009 0:41:53 GMT -5
The other horses aren't getting fat? Usually a yearling will use a lot of energy growing and playing, but its not good for them to get really fat. Hard on their joints. You could make it a shorter time than most of the day, say half a day and see how that goes. I don't like to make any sudden radical changes in diet. Are they getting any grain? Do they play a lot? is there a way to encourage play, say a different pasture or different herd mates?
|
|
|
|
Post by angelsdream on Jun 11, 2009 10:27:24 GMT -5
When spring hit here - the grass started coming up ALOT cause we got so much rain. Bella started getting a little gut on her so I had to limit her intake of grass as well. Kiger's are such easy keeper's, it really don't take a lot to keep them healthy. I would limit her time on the pasture and see how that works out. I let Bella out about 3-4 hours a day to eat, but I also feed her a little feed with her supplements. That has worked really great with her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Jun 11, 2009 13:18:58 GMT -5
Fat babies are NOT a good thing, so do be worried about it. Strain on joints, growth plates, plus pressure on the spinal column from holding up a big belly can cause the horse to grow up with a dipped back, as that is the way the spine will form.
One aspect to look at is that because the Kigers do fill out later in life, is that they can get the appearance of a belly because the chest and hip are still thin. Too much low protein can also cause a hay/grass belly because the horse is trying to satisfy themselves and they have to eat alot of grass/hay to do that. This causes the belly to ferment LOTS of matter at one time...makes them sluggish and lowers cardio because that belly swings and hits the diaphram every step. Not enough quality protien will cause bellies and no muscle tone/topline.
Most people that are trying to feed more "natural", say a horse eats all day - therefore, they try to feed them all day with hay or low quality grass. This would be fine if the horses walked 15 miles a day or had a regular exercise program - most don't. A normal size horse can ferment up to 130 lbs of matter in the hind gut, which as said, hinders the diaphram and causes other issues.
Since we have upped our concentrates (oat/barley mix), the horses have lost all that subbcutanious fat, wide bellies, have more energy and higher performance. Our young horses have lost the bellies, gained muscle and toplines and don't gorge themselves on the grass or roundbales because they are statisfied.
Our yearlings are getting 4 lbs. of the grain mix twice per day. They are out on grass pasture - now getting somewhat dry until the next rain. The colts get a large flake of alfalfa to split each day, as they are more active and need a little extra. Fillies are fat and happy on their 30 acres of grass.
I have been through the gamut of feeds for these horses and this is by far the healthiest and best they have ever felt and looked. I had fed a Young Horse feed and they got obese on very little. I fed an organic feed recommended by an Equine Nutritionalist (yearlings on 2lbs/day) and had a host of issues plus they looked like crap on low concentrates and high hay/grass.
So, my suggestion would be more quality concentrate (meaning grain mix - NOT a sweet feed or commercial mix of fillers that leave them unsatisfied) and see if that does not help. You can also pull her off of the grass either during the day or overnight.
I'll post some picts of the yearlings...
|
|
|
|
Post by mustangdara on Jun 13, 2009 23:44:27 GMT -5
yes everybody is real fat this year and i dont really like it, and they dont really run and play much.LuLu has not got grain in about 2 months. I think i will limit her time out, but she makes trouble when bored!
Michelle- can i get barley at the regular feed store?
|
|
