Question: Body condition of horse

There's a horse that I've been riding and careing for once a week. He's
an OTTB Thoroughbred. His condition isn't what it used to be; the owner
has been going through a bad time, and for a while "wasn't able to" feed
him twice a day like she should. No excuse for that; he dropped weight
and is clearly skinny. He's bright and lively, and not lacking in
energy when I ride him (though I don't ride him hard due to his condition).

The owner finally fixed the problem, and now her partner is feeding the
horse and pony twice a day (the pony can practically live on air so he's
OK).

On my day I make sure he gets some green graze as well as his ration.

Well, I got a distressed call from the partner this morning - she'd been
accosted at the pub last night, photographed and threatened with the
RSPCA. I told her not to worry, he is certainly underweight but not a
rescue case, and the problem is being corrected. Even said she could
have RSPCA call me and I'd talk to them.

I also told her to increase his feed, to get him back up to a proper
weight. But now *I'm* worried, since if I'm wrong, I might be culpable
too. Is he skinny enough for the RSPCA to take action? What would you
say his body condition is (and which scale you're using, please?)

I'd put him on a 2 on the Australian 1-5 scale and perhaps a 3.5 to 4 on
a 1-10 scale.

Here's the photo. Keep in mind, he's just had a bath and is drying off,
so his barrel looks a bit rucked up bit it's just wavy, half-dried hair.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelcat/2058529812/

Thanks for any help.

jmc

Suddenly, without warning, Matthew exclaimed (11/24/2007 10:27 AM):
"jmc" wrote in message
...
There's a horse that I've been riding and careing for once a week. He's
an OTTB Thoroughbred. His condition isn't what it used to be; the owner
has been going through a bad time, and for a while "wasn't able to" feed
him twice a day like she should. No excuse for that; he dropped weight
and is clearly skinny. He's bright and lively, and not lacking in energy
when I ride him (though I don't ride him hard due to his condition).

Thanks for any help.

jmc

You are right on the scale numbers but I would say a 3.5 on US scale. Here
in the US the animal services would step in and require that the horse be
vet seen and the records turned over and they would give the owner a set
date to see improvement; if it was not medical. There would be a warning
than possible fine than and or seizure. Depending on the officer and the
attitude of the owner would set the tone for a seizure here. I would say it
would be a 75% chance of it happening.

Horse needs more heavy feed definitely and supplements added to the grain.
No free grazing being that skinny could colic

Being a horse person myself. Shame on the owner no excuse.

Keep up with JMC that horse is at the turning point where it could go bad.

Did you check the hooves, knees, eyes and its teeth. Any type of signs of
problems.



Darn. I cancelled this message when I realized I posted it to the wrong
group. Guess I didn't actually.

Anyway, thanks for the answer. The overwhelming opinion on the proper
ng is that I've overestimated. Fortunately, things are already on their
way to being fixed, and I'll keep an eye on him to make sure he's
gaining weight.

No, he's healthy enough. Needs a trimming but he's not very old -
around 11 - and in good health. Just needs to be fed up more.

He gets some graze (hand grazing) but I'm careful and he's shown no sign
of colic.

jmc

On Nov 24, 1:00 am, jmc wrote:
Suddenly, without warning, Matthew exclaimed (11/24/2007 10:27 AM):



"jmc" wrote in message
...
There's a horse that I've been riding and careing for once a week. He's
an OTTB Thoroughbred. His condition isn't what it used to be; the owner
has been going through a bad time, and for a while "wasn't able to" feed
him twice a day like she should. No excuse for that; he dropped weight
and is clearly skinny. He's bright and lively, and not lacking in energy
when I ride him (though I don't ride him hard due to his condition).
Thanks for any help.

jmc

You are right on the scale numbers but I would say a 3.5 on US scale. Here
in the US the animal services would step in and require that the horse be
vet seen and the records turned over and they would give the owner a set
date to see improvement; if it was not medical. There would be a warning
than possible fine than and or seizure. Depending on the officer and the
attitude of the owner would set the tone for a seizure here. I would say it
would be a 75% chance of it happening.

Horse needs more heavy feed definitely and supplements added to the grain.
No free grazing being that skinny could colic

Being a horse person myself. Shame on the owner no excuse.

Keep up with JMC that horse is at the turning point where it could go bad.

Did you check the hooves, knees, eyes and its teeth. Any type of signs of
problems.

Darn. I cancelled this message when I realized I posted it to the wrong
group. Guess I didn't actually.

Anyway, thanks for the answer. The overwhelming opinion on the proper
ng is that I've overestimated. Fortunately, things are already on their
way to being fixed, and I'll keep an eye on him to make sure he's
gaining weight.

No, he's healthy enough. Needs a trimming but he's not very old -
around 11 - and in good health. Just needs to be fed up more.

He gets some graze (hand grazing) but I'm careful and he's shown no sign
of colic.

jmc

Why dont you give him some canned cat food and take him to the vet.
Thats the usual response here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlK62rjQWLk

"honeybunch" wrote in
Why dont you give him some canned cat food and take him to the vet.
Thats the usual response here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlK62rjQWLk

I love that movie. It won a Cannes Film Festival Award, too.

Suddenly, without warning, honeybunch exclaimed (11/25/2007 9:15 AM):
On Nov 24, 1:00 am, jmc wrote:
Suddenly, without warning, Matthew exclaimed (11/24/2007 10:27 AM):

"jmc" wrote in message
...
There's a horse that I've been riding and careing for once a week. He's

Darn. I cancelled this message when I realized I posted it to the wrong
group. Guess I didn't actually.


He gets some graze (hand grazing) but I'm careful and he's shown no sign
of colic.

jmc

Why dont you give him some canned cat food and take him to the vet.
Thats the usual response here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlK62rjQWLk

Can't do that, Meep would be incensed if I fed *Her* food to that...
that... EQUINE!!



jmc