Friday, February 12, 2010

A Mare with Fluctuating Weight!

I would like to share a friend's situation and see if anyone out there has some helpful advice before she invests in expensive lab work. Her 7-year-old TB mare had a foal about 11 months ago, and since the foal was weaned (about 5 months ago), the mare's weight has fluctuated from week to week. One week she looks good, the next week she will look ribby. You can definitely see a difference, the owner tells me, especially since it's been winter! She is in a pasture with 10 other horses, and they have 3 large round bales available at all times (orchard grass/alfalfa mix). This mare is pretty high on the pecking order and is not being pushed away from the hay. She was getting 3 or 4 pounds of grain in the summer and doing fine, but now she is getting about 8 lbs a day during these winter months (complete feed) to keep weight on. The owner tells me this mare loves attention and has a great personality, not a nervous type. She has a good winter coat, no need to blanket. In good health, good hooves, UTD on shots and worming. It's not like she has lost weight and stays that way, but her weight goes up and down, week to week. Anyone else have this kind of experience?

4 comments:

Lynn Baber said...

The first thing I'd do is use a weight tape. Keep a record using this very objective measure. Horses, like folks, can change their look drastically by how much they have in their gut... gas, roughage... you know what I mean. If you used the weight tape around the girth you'll know if it is actually weight change, or just 'the bloat.' Keep us informed!

Wendy said...

You say she had a foal... and loves attention... I'd say since everything else is in check she's lonely and missing her baby. So she has 10 pasture mates, not the same to some mares. She may not be pacing the fences, but she is still concerned about the lose of her baby. She need a job to keep her focus off her foal. Trail rides... Just a little work everyday or at least a walk around the yard. Wendy

Betsy Kelleher said...

To add to the two comments already left, I've received several direct emails mentioning to check for worms, ulcers, thyroid function and urinary tract infections. The infection sometimes happens after a mare foals and can manifest itself in strange behaviors, including intermittent drinking and inconsistent eating. I'm inclined to think this inconsistent drinking during winter could be the real problem here, even without an infection.

Betsy Kelleher said...

Just wanted to add to this discussion that the mare turned out to have an infection and is now doing fine.