I have a gorgeous buckskin QH gelding, but I can't seem to get rid of his huge belly! No matter how much exercise (long trotting and backing up included) I can't seem to ditch his gut. What in the world could cause this? It looks like he's bloated all of the time. He is sounds and healthy, up to date on shots and wormings, etc... So what could this be? We're located in Southwestern Montana. He eats a very high quality grass hay, and I monitor his food intake. I grain him according to his exercise schedule.
Any suggestions or ideas????? Thanks so much!
2007-02-28 08:11:11 · 6 answers · asked by ropintozinmt 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I'm not graining him right now because he's being exercised very lightly due to the weather here. But when I work him hard, grain is essential, so yes it is a part of a horse's diet.
What causes a hay belly? He's never been left to feed on a bale as he pleases, and I monitor his food very strictly. Are there other causes for his large belly?
Also, why would I feed him alfalfa when he has an extremely high quality grass hay? What will the mix accomplish?
2007-02-28 13:54:19 · update #1
Sometimes, despite the watching of hay and grain intake, some horses will never get rid of their hay belly, especially if they've had one for a while. I've known several horses like this, and no matter what any one did (change diet, more exercise and worming) the hay belly remained.
Despite this, you may want to get him checked by the vet in case there is something else wrong.
If someone else has a cure for hay belly, I'd love to know it.
2007-02-28 09:29:58 · answer #1 · answered by Riley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try introducing a mix of grass and alfalfa hay. Also, make sure you are worming him with a good all around wormer such as EquiMax. If you are just worming him continually with an Ivermectin or other type, you are not getting all the possible parasites. You can also try some new exercises. Get him flexing laterally and vertically very well and then you can go on to rollbacks, sidepassing, two tracking, serpentines, backing in circles, etc which will work his back, loin, and ribcage.
2007-02-28 08:30:22 · answer #2 · answered by Horsetrainer89 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well..............you could start by cutting back on the grain. Grain isnt really in the horses diet, its more like a treat. And cut back on the hay just a little bit. Make sure your gelding gets daily exercise out in a pasture, and you need to exercise him too. Plus ask your Equine Vet what to do, they may get him on a healthy diet.
2007-02-28 10:05:55 · answer #3 · answered by HorseyGurl101 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try cutting back on the grain. Horses naturally eat only grass anyway. Have your vet look at him. The vet will be able to tell you if he's over weight and advise you about what to do.
2007-02-28 08:21:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try putting his on a straight grass hay diet. My vet had me do this when my horses gained too much weight.
2007-02-28 10:22:40 · answer #5 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt be feeding him the grain if he's got good grass and hay. The grain would be bloating him.
2007-02-28 11:03:41 · answer #6 · answered by Calais 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋