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  Discussion on Should you see ribs?
Author Message
Member:
boomer

Posted on Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - 11:45 am:

Should you see ribs on your horse? I'm trying to figure out if my horses are at the right weight.
Member:
erika

Posted on Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - 12:08 pm:

Dr. O has an article about judging horse's weight.
Look under "Horse Care>>Nutrition" I believe.

Personally, I like to see a HINT of rib on a fit, moving horse, but only feel them when he is still.

Only wish I could still see a hint of rib on myself!
Member:
boomer

Posted on Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - 2:45 pm:

Thank you Erika. Mine are too fat I think. Except my broodmare I just picked up from the trainer is kind of skinny I think. She lost so much weight there I actually didn't recognize her as mine! Her hip bones don't protrude though. I may just be used to my fatties..
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - 5:23 pm:

Hello Patricia,
The condition you should be shooting for depends on your goals. Halter horses are often fleshy while endurance horses are thin. See the article associated with this forum for grading condition and recommendations on condition based on the use of the horse.
DrO
Member:
boomer

Posted on Friday, Mar 16, 2007 - 5:17 pm:

I did read your article and it's really wonderful and I am adjusting all 7 of my horses diets, not drastically but I think I need to feed per use and not all the same. And breed, my TB burns calories standing still while my POA chunks up thinking about food. :-)I do think my QH mare that I picked up from that trainer is skinny..
Member:
amara

Posted on Friday, Mar 16, 2007 - 8:52 pm:

is this the same horse we were talking about in the other posts about the scared mare and the problem trainer?

poor baby
Member:
boomer

Posted on Friday, Mar 16, 2007 - 11:55 pm:

Yes, Melissa it is just that. I've put her on a mix of alfalfa/timothy and some senior feed. She's not shocking thin or anything she's just a lot thinner than I keep my horses. She's healthy and everything. I think part of my problem is that I keep my horses on the fleshy side so to speak so it bothers me that I can see her ribs. I'll fatten her up :-) She actually is better than she was but not what I would expect in the amount of time there. I've been sacking her out with the halter and lead rope and I was able to put the halter on. I put her in the round pen and we played the come to me game for over an hour and she "joined up" I guess that's what you call it. Where she was walking to me. I think I did more in that one hour than he did in the time she was with him.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Mar 17, 2007 - 10:52 am:

Sounds like you are getting the point Patricia. Be sure to study Nutrition overview and keep accurate records (really a diary of sorts) of dates, feed (use weights not amounts) including forage, exercise conditions, and the horses condition, etc.. will go along way toward helping you keep it all straight.
DrO
Member:
canyon28

Posted on Saturday, Mar 17, 2007 - 12:47 pm:

you should be able to feel the ribs with your hand, but not see them.
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