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Post by diamondindykin on Oct 17, 2006 13:48:47 GMT -5
Ok, I have noticed lately that my Whiskey is really packing on the pounds. He has always been a perfect weight but he has also been growing like a weed. I am thinking that he has started putting on weight because his growth has slowed down. He is 2 1/2 years old so he shouldn't be growing as fast as he was before. He is 15 hands and 1200 lbs. I was feeding him 1 scoop of sweet feed twice a day along with his vitamins and daily wormer but recently cut his grain in half but I have noticed he is still gaining weight. He gets 3 flakes of local hay twice a day. My main concern here is that he is still a baby and growing although a little slower than before and I am worried that he still needs the grain. He is going into training in December and I don't want him to be so overweight that he has a hard time working. Any advice? Here is a current picture but he looks a little chubbier in person:
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kellie
Junior BB Member
Posts: 78
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Post by kellie on Oct 17, 2006 13:54:59 GMT -5
Leave my nephew alone! He loves food just like his auntie. Hee, hee, hee : ) A fat horse is a happy horse is our motto....LOL
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Post by diamondindykin on Oct 17, 2006 14:00:42 GMT -5
That is normally my motto too (you have seen my other porkers) but I am worried because he is going into training and don't want him to have a harder time because he is a fatty
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Post by pdevlieg on Oct 19, 2006 22:57:11 GMT -5
Well, training should take care of his pleasant plumpness. Our arab gains weight looking at food. I only give her about 1/2 a cup of grain, just enough to mix her vitamins in. You may want to lower his sweet feed down as low as you can.
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Post by schwung on Oct 20, 2006 12:09:53 GMT -5
Yes, I really don't think easy keepers really need any grain if they aren't in work. Being a QH he is pretty much done growing, and as long as he is getting vitamins a handful of grain is probably all he needs.
Tessa didn't get any grain for a long time - I was worried about OCD issues that are common with big warmbloods and too much protein. I decided about a year ago after talking to my vet that she did need more protein than she was getting, so she is now getting a scoop of LMF Development G and one flake of alfalfa in addition to her Timothy. I still don't want her fat - I worry about fat babies and growth problems, but she is no longer ribby like she was a year ago (which didn't bother me, yearlings are supposed to be ribby).
With QHs, you don't have to worry as much about growth problems but I would be worried about possible navicular concerns. How are his feet? These big QHs that don't have big enough feet to sustain their size can often end up with navicular problems.
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Post by diamondindykin on Oct 20, 2006 12:27:12 GMT -5
I agree with you Jaime that easy keepers that aren't being worked don't need grain but since he was a baby I have always had him on a grain that was at least 12% protein. His first year he was on Alfalfa and grain but then I switched him too local hay and like I said, he has been fairly lean most of his life until now. He is a really stocky boy but you can tell it is going beyond that now!
I have really thought about what I have changed in the last month to bring on this change and only two things have changed ~ Pony Pops and I put him on daily Strongcid C. The only other thing is maybe he just slowed down on his growth. I have know several colts that grew like crazy until the age of two, then stopped for 6 months and then grew again for 6 month. I have always been concerned about OCD as well because it is common in QH's too. To me his feet look perfect for his frame and my farrier also said that they look good to him.
I am sure he will slim right down in training but I am just worrying that he will have a harder time since he is fat. I did find a grain by Nutrena that is called "Lite" I have bought a bag and will see if that helps............
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Post by schwung on Oct 20, 2006 12:48:14 GMT -5
I think its probably due to the slowing of growth more than anything. Tessa too, has finally started growing out and not just up - filling out and not looking so much like a lanky yearling.
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Post by diamondindykin on Oct 20, 2006 12:59:37 GMT -5
I just feel bad taking his grain away after being able to eat like a pig his whole life
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kellie
Junior BB Member
Posts: 78
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Post by kellie on Oct 20, 2006 13:03:26 GMT -5
WAAAAHHH! Whiskey is the cutest - chubby or not! : ) And, he's up for "personality of the year" award, too - TOO CUTE!!!
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Post by diamondindykin on Oct 20, 2006 13:58:44 GMT -5
Thanks Kellie! Even though I am somewhat biased, I have to agree that he is the cutest thing ever He is one of those horses that only comes once in a lifetime!
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Post by fancyherd@gala's on Oct 23, 2006 16:49:09 GMT -5
yea, but you don't want the other kids calling him 'fat names' when he goes off to school. He is a bit chubby - but not out of control & they count on our guilt...I can't believe he has grown that much! He is a looker!
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Post by diamondindykin on Oct 23, 2006 16:54:37 GMT -5
That's funny because I was just telling someone that I was worried that the other colts would tease him. My trainer has a really cute filly named Dolly and I could see her making fun of him!! I know, I MUST be sick to think like this ;D
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Post by fancyherd@gala's on Oct 23, 2006 17:26:20 GMT -5
well if you are----WE ALL ARE! LOL
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Post by diamondindykin on Oct 23, 2006 17:33:58 GMT -5
well if you are----WE ALL ARE! LOL If anyone heard the things I talked to my horses about and in the baby voice, they would put me in a looney bin for sure!! My husband just rolls his eyes
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Post by fancyherd@gala's on Oct 24, 2006 11:23:32 GMT -5
We inherited a big ole pig when we bought our new place...Suzie is 11/12 years old and actually a 'wild pig' - well...His Lordship Fin figured out how to manuver things so he could eat some of Suzie 'Hog Grow' feed...OMG!! HUGENESS PLUS started to overtake Fin and I was like....'what the' so I watched and when I figured how clever that little horse was/is - Suzie's dining room got relocated to the other side of her suite against a solid fence. Fin was gaining belly weight right before my wondering eyes!
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