Re: Weight loss- Cushings
This message is from: Jo rjrfj...@verizon.net that is really something. My hat is off to you. Nice of you to share with us. Thanks,Jo On 09/30/14, Debbie Shadedmshad...@hotmail.com wrote: This message is from: Debbie Shade dmshad...@hotmail.com Since I have had a few people ask how I got weight off my Fjord here it is. I started by putting her on Thyroid meds, per the vet, though her thyroid was okay, the vet thought it would help with the weight loss. That didn't help. Here is the routine that worked. First the environment. I'm in northern New Hampshire and she is out with 2-3 other horses, Connemara, QH mares and in winter also an Appy gelding. She is low pony so gets pushed around but can eat twice as fast as anyone else. Turn out is grass pasture but on a mountain and thus not lush. Outside from 7am to 4pm then stalled with an adjoining 15 x 20 individual paddock. in and out all night Grain- just a balancer, Nutrena Empower Balance 1 pound a day divided into 3 feedings, am, pm and late night. Hay- 1st cut 3 pounds in a small whole hay net at each feeding pm and late. Soaked a minimum one hour usually longer then fully drained. Weighing the hay is vital as I have discovered volume/weight can really change between bales and can easily fool you. I have set this up with a ring on the wall and I just pull the bag up and hang it on the wall over the wheeled tub and then empty the water in the tub each time.Pasture- muzzle all spring and summer, though my soft hearted husband would often take if off in the afternoons. In August no muzzle as the grass is pretty much gone. When I start putting hay out mid September the muzzle goes back on each day until the hay is gone. I put out about 30 pounds for three horses. This is second cut hay as that is what I feed my others. If they eat all the hay, I will take the muzzle off her. I still think she eats the hay faster than the others even with the muzzle on. I feel bad seeing her with the muzzle in the snow and ice of winter but she doesn't seem to mind and her health is what matters. This is what helped me get the weight off. I do think the Smartpak metabo-lean has also helped with the weight loss. I could definitely see a difference when that was added. I got my mare back after someone had her on a hay field for two years with no work. When I got her back she was diagnosed with Cushings and IR. She is 19. In just over a year I have reduced her weight by almost 200 pounds 1050 to 879. She doesn't show any signs of a horse with cushings. She is on prascend and smartpak metabo-lean. and Previcox. Is it worth testing her again or would the test be false due to the prascend? If anyone is interested I can let you know how I managed the weight loss. She looks great now. Like a much younger horse. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Weight loss- Cushings
This message is from: Debbie Shade dmshad...@hotmail.com I got my mare back after someone had her on a hay field for two years with no work. When I got her back she was diagnosed with Cushings and IR. She is 19. In just over a year I have reduced her weight by almost 200 pounds 1050 to 879. She doesn't show any signs of a horse with cushings. She is on prascend and smartpak metabo-lean.Is it worth testing her again or would the test be false due to the prascend? If anyone is interested I can let you know how I managed the weight loss. She looks great now. Like a much younger horse. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Weight loss- Cushings
This message is from: gemma koontz horse.freak...@hotmail.com I would be interested in your weight loss program as this sounds very much like my horse. Sent from my iPad On Sep 30, 2014, at 6:59 AM, Debbie Shade dmshad...@hotmail.com wrote: This message is from: Debbie Shade dmshad...@hotmail.com I got my mare back after someone had her on a hay field for two years with no work. When I got her back she was diagnosed with Cushings and IR. She is 19. In just over a year I have reduced her weight by almost 200 pounds 1050 to 879. She doesn't show any signs of a horse with cushings. She is on prascend and smartpak metabo-lean.Is it worth testing her again or would the test be false due to the prascend? If anyone is interested I can let you know how I managed the weight loss. She looks great now. Like a much younger horse. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Weight loss
This message is from: me.kint me.k...@yahoo.com These Fjords are amazing at how little they need. They are like me, Ha! I've been watching Clinton Anderson's series down in the outback in the middle of Austrailia. He had an expert telling about the brombies... How these horses have adapted go 3-4 days between drinks of water. They've even tracked, one horse that went 2 weeks between drinks of water! My 2, I don't know how I can feed them any less, I would feel so guilty.if Tunix feels he hasn't gotten enough to eat, he will come down stand on the back porch stare me down! He lets his needs be known. I haven't ever been able to get a rib shown on mine. I keep them in at night when I clean their pens, I do a pile count each morning. I've predetermined a target number of piles for each Fjord. If too many over the target, they gain weight, too few-- they aren't getting sufficient food. I put in for the night turn out in AM at about the same time everyday. So the time they are in is pretty consistent. That's how I determine if they are getting too much to eat. From Mary's iPad PLEASE REMOVE ALL E-MAIL ADDRESSES BEFORE SENDING OR FORWARDING THIS EMAIL. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Weight loss- Cushings
This message is from: Debbie Shade dmshad...@hotmail.com Since I have had a few people ask how I got weight off my Fjord here it is. I started by putting her on Thyroid meds, per the vet, though her thyroid was okay, the vet thought it would help with the weight loss. That didn't help. Here is the routine that worked. First the environment. I'm in northern New Hampshire and she is out with 2-3 other horses, Connemara, QH mares and in winter also an Appy gelding. She is low pony so gets pushed around but can eat twice as fast as anyone else. Turn out is grass pasture but on a mountain and thus not lush. Outside from 7am to 4pm then stalled with an adjoining 15 x 20 individual paddock. in and out all night Grain- just a balancer, Nutrena Empower Balance 1 pound a day divided into 3 feedings, am, pm and late night. Hay- 1st cut 3 pounds in a small whole hay net at each feeding pm and late. Soaked a minimum one hour usually longer then fully drained. Weighing the hay is vital as I have discovered volume/weight can really change between bales and can easily fool you. I have set this up with a ring on the wall and I just pull the bag up and hang it on the wall over the wheeled tub and then empty the water in the tub each time.Pasture- muzzle all spring and summer, though my soft hearted husband would often take if off in the afternoons. In August no muzzle as the grass is pretty much gone. When I start putting hay out mid September the muzzle goes back on each day until the hay is gone. I put out about 30 pounds for three horses. This is second cut hay as that is what I feed my others. If they eat all the hay, I will take the muzzle off her. I still think she eats the hay faster than the others even with the muzzle on. I feel bad seeing her with the muzzle in the snow and ice of winter but she doesn't seem to mind and her health is what matters. This is what helped me get the weight off. I do think the Smartpak metabo-lean has also helped with the weight loss. I could definitely see a difference when that was added. I got my mare back after someone had her on a hay field for two years with no work. When I got her back she was diagnosed with Cushings and IR. She is 19. In just over a year I have reduced her weight by almost 200 pounds 1050 to 879. She doesn't show any signs of a horse with cushings. She is on prascend and smartpak metabo-lean. and Previcox. Is it worth testing her again or would the test be false due to the prascend? If anyone is interested I can let you know how I managed the weight loss. She looks great now. Like a much younger horse. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Fw: Carriage driving lead weight for sale
This message is from: jfriz jfri...@comcast.net Hi folks, Ballast is needed on the rear step if you donât have a person to balance the carriage. I am asking $35 dollars. I can ship using the USPS shipping box anywhere in the US for $20 dollars. Or, pick-up local, in the Sea-Tac area. Call, me at 253-268-3471, for more info. I can send more images.This lead is worth more at the recycle yard It was a lot of work making this weight, so would like to see it used the way it was designed. Click on this link to see the weight http://imgur.com/delete/ufAdxvE63BQja6X Thanks, Jerry in the NW PS I only have one left, the others sold fast Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Reasonable Weight
This message is from: divingduoandcor...@comcast.net I am interested in a two horse cart (something lighter weight to get started with?) for my medium build 14.1 mare like a meadowbrook...   How do I know something is the right size if I come across one?  I don't know if there are standard sizes that fit a fjord?  I know that width of the horse is important and height of the wheels, just starting to look into the local driving club too...any insight would be appreciated!! Beth, Bob, the Corgis and the Fjord - Original Message - From: Mary Nelson maryn...@hotmail.com To: fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 11:40:42 PM Subject: Reasonable Weight This message is from: Mary Nelson maryn...@hotmail.com I have asked different people and heard several theories about how much a horse can comfortably pull.  Is there a formula or something to determine what I can pull with my Fjord mare?  I have heard things about the size and type of the wheels, the type of terrain, and various other things.  I would really like to get a wagonette. Mary Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: The Porta Grazer, also weight control discussions
This message is from: Silja Knoll siljakn...@yahoo.com I recently purchased two of these Porta Grazers. Initially I liked the idea that the horses could move the tub all over the paddock and increase movement, but then the Fjord learned how to get the insert out by tipping the tub over, not on its side but on its top. This would cause the insert to fall out, giving her full access to the hay. :(.. so I have chained the tub to a post in her pen and now it seems to work the way it was intended. The type of hay you use has a lot to do with how fast or slow they get the hay through the holes. The stemmier it is the slower it comes out, to the point where they can't get it out at all and give up. I figure it had to be pretty impossible to get the hay out if it resulted in a Fjord giving up on trying. But if you have 'easter basket' type hay (which I don't believe is the best kind of hay for Fjords) then they get it out pretty easy. My Paint gelding gets along with the grazer perfectly, the way it was intended. Overall I rate the Porta Grazers at a B-. I look forward to having it with us when we go camping or they are confined in smaller areas to reduce boredom. Silja --- On Fri, 1/14/11, Lori Albrough l...@bluebirdlane.com wrote: From: Lori Albrough l...@bluebirdlane.com Subject: The Porta Grazer, also weight control discussions To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Date: Friday, January 14, 2011, 12:32 PM This message is from: Lori Albrough l...@bluebirdlane.com On 1/14/11 12:15 PM, Mary Poe wrote: Goggle 'porta grazer' or go to www.Porta-grazer.com. Hope this helps. Mary, I watched the video and this looks like a good way to feed hay! Very interesting. I would be interested in hearing about the experiences of anyone else who has tried them with Fjords. On the subject of weight control, I believe exercise to be one of the most important factors in the equation. I have never had to starve a Fjord horse, even those that come in here morbidly obese. Perhaps this is because they are worked five days a week. Basic Pony Club rules apply to feeding Fjords, feed little and often (I feed hay four times a day and concentrates twice a day) and ensure regular exercise (which is simple in concept but I know can be difficult to implement with everyone being so busy these days). Unlimited access to forage is not generally going to work with a Fjord (with some exceptions.) I think weight tapes are very good to monitor relative changes. Like any testing method, consistency in timing and technique is important. Testing at the same time of day and the same time relative to exercise and feeding schedules will give a more realistic picture of progress. As well, be very detail oriented as to where you place the tape and how much pressure you exert and so forth. My belief based on comparing weight tape readings to scale readings at OVC is the weight tape reads about 100 pounds (45 kg) lower than actual. My opinion is one of the best things you can do for your horse's health is to keep them at a proper body condition (not too fat, not too thin). I like to see a well developed musculature (remember, the more muscles you have the more you can eat :) with just enough fat covering over top. With a Fjord they should look rounded, not like the flat planes of muscle you might see in a Thoroughbred. Lori -- Lori Albrough Bluebird Lane Fjords R.R.#3 Moorefield Ont Canada N0G 2K0 phone: 519-638-5598 email: l...@bluebirdlane.com http://www.bluebirdlane.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
RE: The Porta Grazer, also weight control discussions
This message is from: Julia Webb jemw...@hotmail.com That's sort of what I've thought looking at them. It really needs a blunt locking clamp on the outer rim to prevent the insert from sliding out once it's in. Something human removable, horse safe, and not operational by pony-types. I love my Amazing Graze toys (and so do the horses), but they're not suitable for hay. Just cubes and carrots and such. It would be nice if these Porta Grazers could be adapted so that they can't be so easily subverted... by being inverted. ;-) -Julia Colorado Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 08:56:05 -0800 From: siljakn...@yahoo.com This message is from: Silja Knoll siljakn...@yahoo.com I recently purchased two of these Porta Grazers. Initially I liked the idea that the horses could move the tub all over the paddock and increase movement, but then the Fjord learned how to get the insert out by tipping the tub over, not on its side but on its top. This would cause the insert to fall out, snip Overall I rate the Porta Grazers at a B-. I look forward to having it with us when we go camping or they are confined in smaller areas to reduce boredom. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
The Porta Grazer, also weight control discussions
This message is from: Lori Albrough l...@bluebirdlane.com On 1/14/11 12:15 PM, Mary Poe wrote: Goggle 'porta grazer' or go to www.Porta-grazer.com. Hope this helps. Mary, I watched the video and this looks like a good way to feed hay! Very interesting. I would be interested in hearing about the experiences of anyone else who has tried them with Fjords. On the subject of weight control, I believe exercise to be one of the most important factors in the equation. I have never had to starve a Fjord horse, even those that come in here morbidly obese. Perhaps this is because they are worked five days a week. Basic Pony Club rules apply to feeding Fjords, feed little and often (I feed hay four times a day and concentrates twice a day) and ensure regular exercise (which is simple in concept but I know can be difficult to implement with everyone being so busy these days). Unlimited access to forage is not generally going to work with a Fjord (with some exceptions.) I think weight tapes are very good to monitor relative changes. Like any testing method, consistency in timing and technique is important. Testing at the same time of day and the same time relative to exercise and feeding schedules will give a more realistic picture of progress. As well, be very detail oriented as to where you place the tape and how much pressure you exert and so forth. My belief based on comparing weight tape readings to scale readings at OVC is the weight tape reads about 100 pounds (45 kg) lower than actual. My opinion is one of the best things you can do for your horse's health is to keep them at a proper body condition (not too fat, not too thin). I like to see a well developed musculature (remember, the more muscles you have the more you can eat :) with just enough fat covering over top. With a Fjord they should look rounded, not like the flat planes of muscle you might see in a Thoroughbred. Lori -- Lori Albrough Bluebird Lane Fjords R.R.#3 Moorefield Ont Canada N0G 2K0 phone: 519-638-5598 email: l...@bluebirdlane.com http://www.bluebirdlane.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
RE: The Porta Grazer, also weight control discussions
This message is from: Karen McCarthy weeg...@hotmail.com From what I know about the set-up costs for creating rotational plastic molds, I still can't get over how much these Porta Grazers cost! No kidding Mary. knowing what they cost I'd hate to come home one day and find them missing from my horses drylot. I have to hand it to them though, this is a really cool idea, but holy batman, I think I'll stick w/ my big old indestructible Rubbermaid water troughs for now. I've used them for going on 12 years now... Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
RE: The Porta Grazer, also weight control discussions
This message is from: Gail Russell g...@zeliga.com There are some big ones for not a lot more that take a whole bale and weigh 55 lbs on the paddock paradise feeders site Jean Ernest sent. -Original Message- From: owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com [mailto:owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com] On Behalf Of Karen McCarthy Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 12:37 PM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: RE: The Porta Grazer, also weight control discussions This message is from: Karen McCarthy weeg...@hotmail.com From what I know about the set-up costs for creating rotational plastic molds, I still can't get over how much these Porta Grazers cost! No kidding Mary. knowing what they cost I'd hate to come home one day and find them missing from my horses drylot. I have to hand it to them though, this is a really cool idea, but holy batman, I think I'll stick w/ my big old indestructible Rubbermaid water troughs for now. I've used them for going on 12 years now... Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: The Porta Grazer, also weight control discussions
This message is from: Lori Albrough l...@bluebirdlane.com On 1/14/11 3:37 PM, Karen McCarthy wrote: From what I know about the set-up costs for creating rotational plastic molds, I still can't get over how much these Porta Grazers cost! Karen I was also taken aback at the cost. I guess it's not something I'll be getting for my whole herd (of nine, at present) but I still think it looks like a good thing, if it works as advertised. Maybe for a horse on stall rest, or one prone to ingesting sand. I have to hand it to them though, this is a really cool idea, but holy batman, I think I'll stick w/ my big old indestructible Rubbermaid water troughs for now. I've used them for going on 12 years now... I tried the Rubbermaid troughs one time when I was concerned about feeding horses off the ground. My horses would just put their heads under the hay looking for the fine leaves and then fling all the rest of the hay out onto the ground. Or else tip the whole trough of hay onto the ground. So that idea didn't work out for me. Lori -- Lori Albrough Bluebird Lane Fjords R.R.#3 Moorefield Ont Canada N0G 2K0 phone: 519-638-5598 email: l...@bluebirdlane.com http://www.bluebirdlane.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Weight tape
This message is from: Sarah Clarke sarahmagdalencla...@yahoo.com You do not need a weight tape. You need your eyes and your hands. You should be able to feel the ribs, but not see them. There should not be fat pillows on each side of the spine, nor should the spine stick up from the back. The neck should not be too cresty, not too skinny. the was an article in Equus a few months (maybe years?) ago on how to rate your horses fatness from 1 (starving) to 10 (morbidly obese). Maybe somebody else knows a link to a similar article or post. The problem with the weight tape is that what is the right weight for a medium build 14.2 fjord is too fat for a lightly built sport pony model and too skinny for a drafty fjord. I DO use a weight tape to calculate worming dosages, but I use it with a chart that has you enter not only the circumference around the girth, but also the should to butt length. I ordered the chart on- line. --- On Mon, 11/30/09, jeanne.mil...@pnc.com jeanne.mil...@pnc.com wrote: . How do I determine if my Fjord is at the proper weight?. What is the best way to use a weight tape?? She is 14.2 . Instructions to manage subscriptions are found at: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e The FjordHorse List archives are found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Fjord weight
This message is from: Dave McWethy pl...@olypen.com I figure when there is no evidence of a backbone, the horse needs to diet. Dave Instructions to manage subscriptions are found at: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e The FjordHorse List archives are found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Calculating Horse's Weight/Condition
This message is from: ewig...@mindspring.com Here is a good horse weight calculator: http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/anatomy/weight_calculator_052808/ And an article on body condition and further weight/fat calculations: http://www.equisearch.com/horses%5Fcare/health/anatomy/fathorse%5F102907/ Emily Emily Wigley ewig...@mindspring.com Vashon Island, Washington breezy and grey outside, but no rain in days! Instructions to manage subscriptions are found at: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e The FjordHorse List archives are found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Managing weight
This message is from: huntdebbi...@yahoo.com Hello All: Please indulge me with this question as I know the topic comes up frequently with regarding to feeding, weight, etc. I have been a member of this mailgroup for a year and occasionally post a question but most of the time I just read and enjoy all of the great information I get when reading your posts. I have been a Fjord owner for almost 2 years. Ivar is a 5 yr. old gelding. He is 14.3 hh. For the first time, he has too much weight on him. He currently gets 1/2 scoop of oats twice a day with supplement and hay. He is turned out 8 hours a day with 4 other horses in a medium sized rather sparse paddock. I wanted to solicit opinions from the group as to preference for muzzles vs. dry lot schedules. He is boarded at a large boarding facility and they do have a few small dry lot paddocks and would accommodate. Any suggestions or information would be much appreciate. Debbie and Ivar in Kentucky Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
RE: Managing weight
This message is from: plumg...@pon.net plumg...@pon.net Hi Debbie and Ivar, I will intersperse your post with some suggestions. Ivar is a 5 yr. old gelding. He is 14.3 hh. For the first time, he has too much weight on him. He currently gets 1/2 scoop of oats twice a day with supplement and hay. Stop the oats right away. He does not need them. Find a balanced supplement that is designed for overweight horses. Nutrena makes one (and Nutrena sponsors many Fjord events, so it is worth supporting them.) Purina does as well. IF you up his exercise a bit, just doing that much might help. He is turned out 8 hours a day with 4 other horses in a medium sized rather sparse paddock. Cut down the turnout time if you can. Try to arrange for him to be turned out early in the morning, when the sugars in the grasses are at their lowest. Something like 4 AM to 9 AM would be ideal, but I doubt the barn is that accommodating. I wanted to solicit opinions from the group as to preference for muzzles vs. dry lot schedules. Muzzles are a pain, but I would prefer a horse get exercise with his buddies to keeping him on a dry lot. There is a funny kind of bucket muzzle that might help if the normal ones cannot be made to work. Finally, if you can buy him something like a Nibble Net and have his hay fed in that, that should help as well. If all that does not help, there are more things to be done...but these are the things to try. Gail Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
RE: Managing weight
This message is from: Debbie Hunt huntdebbi...@yahoo.com Gail, Thanks so much for the suggestions. I let a note for his caregivers to stop the oats. I left a message for the farm manager to see what my options are regarding decreasing his turnout time. One thing we can definitely increase is the exercise part. It will be good for both of us. I went to the barn this morning and rode him for an hour. About half of that was trot sets out on the cross country course. He is currently ridden 5 times a week on average and for about 30 min. each session. I am going to increase his works to 45 min to an hour and be sure to include trot sets. This should help both of us. I will try this for a month and see if I get results. If that does not work, I will have to resort to a grazing muzzle. Thanks so much for responding quickly. Debbie and Ivar --- On Sun, 7/12/09, plumg...@pon.net plumg...@pon.net wrote: From: plumg...@pon.net plumg...@pon.net Subject: RE: Managing weight To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009, 11:04 AM This message is from: plumg...@pon.net plumg...@pon.net Hi Debbie and Ivar, I will intersperse your post with some suggestions. Ivar is a 5 yr. old gelding. He is 14.3 hh. For the first time, he has too much weight on him. He currently gets 1/2 scoop of oats twice a day with supplement and hay. Stop the oats right away. He does not need them. Find a balanced supplement that is designed for overweight horses. Nutrena makes one (and Nutrena sponsors many Fjord events, so it is worth supporting them.) Purina does as well. IF you up his exercise a bit, just doing that much might help. He is turned out 8 hours a day with 4 other horses in a medium sized rather sparse paddock. Cut down the turnout time if you can. Try to arrange for him to be turned out early in the morning, when the sugars in the grasses are at their lowest. Something like 4 AM to 9 AM would be ideal, but I doubt the barn is that accommodating. I wanted to solicit opinions from the group as to preference for muzzles vs. dry lot schedules. Muzzles are a pain, but I would prefer a horse get exercise with his buddies to keeping him on a dry lot. There is a funny kind of bucket muzzle that might help if the normal ones cannot be made to work. Finally, if you can buy him something like a Nibble Net and have his hay fed in that, that should help as well. If all that does not help, there are more things to be done...but these are the things to try. Gail Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Managing weight
This message is from: katesei...@aol.com Ivar is a 5 yr. old gelding. He is 14.3 hh. For the first time, he has too much weight on him. He currently gets 1/2 scoop of oats twice a day with supplement and hay. When I was boarding, the horses were out 24/7 but it was a complete dry lot. During that time, they got 5-7 lbs of hay in the morning, the same in the evening. The only addition was a cup of beet pulp to mix their supplements into (Omega-3 multi and some flax seed). Now that they are home and have pasture, the regimen changes almost weekly as we balance pasture management. Right now, the grass is very short and dying, so I have upped their pasture time to about 6-8 hours, no hay, and just the supplements. That's fine for two of the fjords, but the third one needs to wear a grazing muzzle for a portion of that pasture time to keep her weight down. When the spring grass came in the pastures were lush, they got 6 hours on pasture (Della had the grazing muzzle on for 4 of that), and the rest in the dry lot. Depending on what the grass does over the next week I may actually have to start adding a bit of hay. Kate with Della, Joe, and Hanna **Looking for love this summer? Find it now on AOL Personals. (http://personals.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntuslove0003) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
hay weight
This message is from: fjo...@hughes.net At the hunter jumper barn I co-owned years ago. We used plastic baskets and a hanging fish/meat scale for the longest time so that everyone that was feeding could get the hang of what is 5 pounds and what is 10 pounds. Each horse had baskets. This worked well for the self serve boarders. They were to place their baskets full of food by their stalls so that at feed time we just dumped feed from the basket into the feeders. The baskets were the dollar store type and all weighed the same. :-) Catherine Lassesen fjo...@hughes.net 1-541-825-3027 Southern Oregon www.Hestehaven.com www.NorwegianBuhund.us Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: heights weight
This message is from: jen frame [EMAIL PROTECTED] Good point Sarah: I also ride 15.2 hand Tennessee Walking horses, and they feel very right (although they are hard for me to get on while trail riding!) And my 13.2 Fjord feels right too--just different. Jen On 11/14/07, Sarah Clarke [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: Sarah Clarke [EMAIL PROTECTED] My smallest is about 13.2, about 800#; largest 14.1, about 950#. I am 5' 7 and suffering from some middle age spread. I think I look right on all of them, and this has been confirmed by observers at shows and lessons. They feel right too, a good place to put my leg and no feeling that they are struggling to carry my weight or height. I also ride a 16 hand warmblood, so it's not that I have just gotten used to the feeling of riding a smaller horse. Sarah in Jamul (getting used to trail riding in the ashes of the Harris fire) kate charboneau [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: kate charboneau If you ride your Fjord, how tall is he/she, and how much does he/she weigh? How tall are you, and do you look right on him? :) Thanks _ Help yourself to FREE treats served up daily at the Messenger Café. Stop by today. http://www.cafemessenger.com/info/info_sweetstuff2.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_OctWLt agline The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw - Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: heights weight
This message is from: jen frame [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Kate. I ride my Fjord mare. She is only 13.2 hands and is very chunky at about 900 lbs (that is an estimate). I am 5'2 (i.e. vertically challenged!) Do I look right on her? I'm not sure! I just asked my husband and he said that I look just right on her!! But honestly, looking right is so low on our priority list that I'm not sure you can trust what my husband says! I just LOVE riding my Fjord, and that makes it a right fit!!! Hope that helps, Jen On 11/13/07, kate charboneau [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: kate charboneau [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you ride your Fjord, how tall is he/she, and how much does he/she weigh? How tall are you, and do you look right on him? :) Thanks _ Help yourself to FREE treats served up daily at the Messenger Café. Stop by today. http://www.cafemessenger.com/info/info_sweetstuff2.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_OctWLt agline The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: taking weight off...
This message is from: ruth bushnell [EMAIL PROTECTED] I knew some one give a big warning about straw. However, I have worked with and consulted with many vets and I have never had a problem with good quality straw. Catherine Lassesen YES, I too recall this subject from the past. Straw is listed as a cause of impaction on Wikipedia...though I realize that's not the last word insofar as references go. I think the potential for over ingestion of straw is greater with Fjords because of their voracious appetites. This is the reference Pelvic flexure impaction This is caused by an impaction of food material at a part of the large bowel known as the pelvic flexure of the left colon where the intestine takes a 180 degree turn and narrows. Impaction generally responds well to medical treatment, but more severe cases may not recover without surgery. If left untreated, severe impaction colic can be fatal. The most common cause is when the horse is on box rest and/or consumes LARGE VOLUMES OF STRAW, or the horse has dental disease and is unable to masticate properly. This condition could be diagnosed on rectal examination by a veterinarian. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_colic We never use straw for bedding on this account. Ruthie, nw mt, US The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: weight tapes and Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 5/26/2007 6:26:15 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: *So I figure he weighs almost a 100 lbs more than what the weight tape *measures. I too have used a weight tape on my fjords and verified their weight on a scale. I found that the weight tape was actually VERY close to actual weight. That 100 lb difference can come from something as simple as having the tape and inch or two too far back on the body, or holding it a bit too snug. I usually had differences more like 25 - 40 lbs between tape and scale. Also, the tapes may not be perfect but they are great for monitoring changes in weight - if they've gained or lost weight according to the tape, they have probably actually gained or lost that weight... Amy Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords 260 May Creek Rd Days Creek, OR 97429 541-825-3303 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
fjords losing weight
This message is from: jaimie benoit [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Teresa, Is there anyway that you can free lunge them? Are their feet too sore for that? When we get horses here on consignment there are usually a few that are overweight and that is how I start them off-- in the ring free lungeing them. A good cardio workout. It is very important not to overdo it though and give them plenty of rest in between. Just trotting is fine. Nothing frantic. In regards to there diet. NO GRASS. Dry lot only please. With the correct management weight control becomes much easier. Walking them up and down hills will help as well. It should be a forward walk though not just plodding along. I hope that helps. It's sad to see fjords so overweight. Kind regards, Jaimie Benoit- BDF Manager and Head trainer The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: taking weight off...
This message is from: jgayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Watch out for that straw!!! I used straw, farmer's grade, to cover a mud path to my riding arena. Both my Trakehener and my then fjord ate till full and both colicked. They impacted. So be careful with straw. Jean Gayle whose Grumpy Gunnar has finally gained back his lost winter weight. Author of: 'The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946 to 1949 Send: $20 to Three Horse's Press 7403 Blaine Rd Aberdeen, WA 98520 The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: taking weight off...
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear List, I knew some one give a big warning about straw. However, I have worked with and consulted with many vets and I have never had a problem with good quality straw. I mix it with the hay and I am sure it is good fine quality before I use it for bedding and or feeding. Impaction comes when a poor quality straw is used or ate that was not to be used as feed. Also plenty of water is a MUST in all feeding programs. Reducing calories and increasing exercise is the only way to reduce the fat on a horse. I am concerned with people that allow the gut of a horse to become empty. I have always been told... a horse does not colic as easy when the gut and stomach is full. It is when they are empty that colic and other problems occur. Remember, horses in nature graze 80% of their time. Horses in stalls are fed and eat only 20% of their time Have a great weekend! Catherine Lassesen Hestehaven - The Horse Garden www.hestehaven.com / [EMAIL PROTECTED] Southern Oregon The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: taking weight off...
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] Some straw is NOT low calorie! Oat straw, for instance, especially if there are some grain heads left in it. we are feeding at least three times daily, hay for the most part, but my senior fjords get equine senior as well. This is while I have a friend feeding for me, until I am healed up enough from knee replacement. In the winter I was feeding hay five to six time daily. Jean in warm Fairbanks, Alaska, 80 degrees yesterday, and it's light all night, altho the sun does set for a few hours. Dear List, I knew some one give a big warning about straw. However, I have worked with and consulted with many vets and I have never had a problem with good quality straw. I mix it with the hay and I am sure it is good fine quality before I use it for bedding and or feeding. Impaction comes when a poor quality straw is used or ate that was not to be used as feed. Also plenty of water is a MUST in all feeding programs. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
weight tapes and Fjords
This message is from: Onna Kulaja [EMAIL PROTECTED] I just took my Fjord to the vet and he has a scale to weigh cattle and horses. Aron weights 965 using a weight tape and 1054 when weighed on the scale. So I figure he weighs almost a 100 lbs more than what the weight tape measures. I don't know if this would hold true with all Fjords, but it does give one some idea of the possible difference between what a weight tape measures and their actualy weight. Aron is 13.2 hands. Onna The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: weight tapes and Fjords
This message is from: Sarah Clarke [EMAIL PROTECTED] using a weight tape that only measures the girth is not as accurate as using girth and length. I have a chart but I also found a formula that goes Weight = (girth squared times length) divided by 300 where weight is pounds and grith and length are inches Also, even if your weight isn't precise the important thing is you can track gain or loss. that way you can see a trend sometimes before it's obvious. Onna Kulaja [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: Onna Kulaja I just took my Fjord to the vet and he has a scale to weigh cattle and horses. Aron weights 965 using a weight tape and 1054 when weighed on the scale. So I figure he weighs almost a 100 lbs more than what the weight tape measures. I don't know if this would hold true with all Fjords, but it does give one some idea of the possible difference between what a weight tape measures and their actualy weight. Aron is 13.2 hands. Onna The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw - TV dinner still cooling? Check out Tonight's Picks on Yahoo! TV. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
taking weight off...
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ok. some methods I have used may not be the best methods. but here is what has worked with several of our fjords and fjords that we have managed for their owners. A long time ago, a dear older vet told me that good quality straw was a great tool in keeping hungry horses satisfied. This means clean fresh straw that is mixed with good quality grass hay. The situation is that we want to keep the belly full as we decrease the calories of the hay. You also need to up the exercise. With the extreme overweight this means 5 minutes of HAND walking a day building up to 5 minutes of riding. mainly bareback because you cannot sit proper on the back. (kinda like a Barbie doll sitting on a beyer.) I had vets tell me that they have never seen horses colic on a FULL stomach. The straw helps keep the stomach full. It is also a mental game. Fjords LOVE to graze. You increase the exercise as you decrease the calories. eventually they horse will lower the fat and gain the muscle. It takes time. It takes patience and it takes work! If you have questions, ask your vet. Also. a good supplement of vitamins is necessary. This is the short of a long conversation. Catherine Lassesen Hestehaven - The Horse Garden www.hestehaven.com / [EMAIL PROTECTED] Southern Oregon The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Treeless saddles and weight
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Maybe some Treeless saddles have weight limits on them. But the StarTrekk was designed for any rider. Might want to check it out at... _http://www.startrekk.de/cms.php?entry=164lid=6_ (http://www.startrekk.de/cms.php?entry=164lid=6) _http://www.trekkingsaddles-webshop.com/default-en.htm_ (http://www.trekkingsaddles-webshop.com/default-en.htm) Abby is the only US Dealer and has a good Demo program on them.Her email is [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) I have one and it fits my Fjord great. Shari The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
horse weight
This message is from: David McWethy [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sample weights from scales of horses I've had: 13.2H medium to slightly drafty - 950 14.1H medium 1050-1100 15H medium 1150-1200 Nothing works better than the scale! Dave
Re: fjrod weight and conditioning
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] It sounds to me that he is just a good fit weight! If you can't see his ribs, but can just barely make out his backbone..sounds like the type of fjord build that mine have. Mine are on the slimmer type of build... They are all a bit too fat this summer, in my estimation, but I can still see some indication of their backbone. My friends here have Fjords of a different bloodline who tend to be rounder in type..and tend to have a broader back, lower withers and more of a groove down the backbone area. I think many fjords are too fat, really!What are HIS bloodlines? Gee, if he is fit and energetic, he is much healthier than being loaded with grain. At 07:20 AM 7/23/2005 -0400, you wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I know this has probably been asked and answered 100 times, but when you are not really looking for that answer you sometimes over look the question. Now I'm in need of the answerand wishing I'd paid more attention :) Ok...I have a young lady who owns a fjord, that she keeps here on my farm. He is 7 yrs old, just shy of 14 hands, med. boned, weighs 795 lbs. He is worked daily for roughly 30-45 min. he is on grass pasture 24/7 - (but it's very short and well eaten.) Everyone either thinks he's very young or he's too thin. You can just barely make out his back bone, you can't see his ribs but you can feel them with no problem, his hips may be just a little pointy. Her farrier told her he's in perfect weightdon't let him gain any.(he's not a fjord owner)
Re: fjrod weight and conditioning
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] He sounds like the perfect weight to me. Suzan
Re: Weight a fjord can carry?
This message is from: Carol J. Makosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi, I am not a breeder, but will say that everytime I hear the work taller or 15 hands describing a Fjord, I cringe. Have said it before and will always say it. Leave the breed alone. We do not need and I don't want taller. The 14 hand Fjord is just perfect for not falling too far to the ground when it happens. This message is from: MARK DANIELSON [EMAIL PROTECTED] I really enjoyed the copy of Dr. Bennett's paper concerning growth plate maturation rates.as breeders, do you think there is a trend to breed larger fjords? Or should the breed standard remain the same? -- Built Fjord Tough Carol M. On Golden Pond N. Wisconsin
Weight a fjord can carry?
This message is from: MARK DANIELSON [EMAIL PROTECTED] I really enjoyed the copy of Dr. Bennett's paper concerning growth plate maturation rates. As a new fjord owner I was wondering how much a mature fjord is expected to safely carry? Previously I have had larger horses - 16 hands and over, but my 14.3 fjord mare seems very able to perform, in fact she is learning to go round much quicker than other horses I've started. Another related question: as breeders, do you think there is a trend to breed larger fjords? Or should the breed standard remain the same? It seems as if sometimes the taller height of a fjord for sale is highlighted as a desirable feature. Patti Washington
Weight of Fjords at birth
This message is from: Frederick J. Pack [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Patty, I haven't seen another reply to your question. Although I haven't weighed our youngsters at birthmy back tells me that they are between 80-90 lbs. Perhaps some others on the list have actually weighed their kids Anybody??? Fred All Mail is scanned in AND out by Norton Anti-virus 2004. Fred and Lois Pack Pack's Peak Stables Wilkeson, Washington 98396 http://www.geocities.com/friendlyfred98 -- What is the average weight of a Fjord foal when it is born? Patty in Yakima, WA.
Re: weight
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 5/22/05 5:53:49 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am fortunate enough to have a town dump (one advantage of living rather rural) 10 miles from me and I just load her up and take her there for an accurate weigh in. duh, slapping forehead.thanks, carol. i am rural and i didn't even think about our dumpand we have certainly been there enough after cleaning up all the stuff around our farm. laurie and oz, who at least has one advantage in the weight department with the strength of the winds we have had for the last two days. our chickens are all walking sideways, and the geese can even get into the air if they run the right direction..sheesh
RE: weight
This message is from: Skeels, Mark A \(GE Healthcare\) [EMAIL PROTECTED] At 980 lbs, I missed how tall she was? 980 on a 13.2 hand horse is different than 980 on a 14.3 hand. Is she on the drafty side or finer side? Or in between? Mark -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Carol J. Makosky Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 3:13 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: weight This message is from: Carol J. Makosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi, I am fortunate enough to have a town dump (one advantage of living rather rural) 10 miles from me and I just load her up and take her there for an accurate weigh in. She was 980 this time and our DumpMaster loves to see her come for a visit. -- Built Fjord Tough Carol M. On Golden Pond N. Wisconsin
Re: weight
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: help. i tried the formula yesterday that i got from the list to determine weight. it said to take girthxgirthxlength divided by 330. i must be doing something wrong, since i come up with oz weighing under 800 lbs..nope, not right. I've played around with some of these formulas over the years. There are a lot of them, but it seems like each one of them uses a different version of length. Probably the most common definition is the measurement from the point of shoulder joint to the point of rump. These are the sort of knobby points at the front and back corners of the animal's torso. Girth is heart-girth, taken just behind the withers and elbow. Based on the 3 Fjords that I've had, the last time I ran thru the calculations, I got the following. (Unfortunately, I do not have scale weights for any of these creatures.) Rom was 14.1hh, had heart girth 68 and body length 61. I guess-timated his weight at 950 lb; the Purina weight tape that I had said he was probably between 910 and 960 lb. The formula you were given would say 855 lb. (Other formulas I tried gave 940 and 990 lb.) Nansy was 14.2hh, girth 72, length 65. Guessed weight 1100 lb; Purina weight 1070--1130 lb; your formula 1021 lb; other formulas 1123 and 1173 lb. Sleepy was 14.3hh, girth 74, length 65. Guessed weight 1150 lb; Purina weight 1130--1190 lb; your formula 1079 lb; other formulas 1186 and 1236 lb. For purposes of assessing my feeding plan, I measure both heart girth and rib girth, in inches, every week (at the same time of day, and trying to get the animal in the same posture---usually while they're busy eating their breakfasts). I write it down on the calendar, so I can keep an eye on trends. There will be some random up/down between measurements (differences in when they drank or shat last, and tension levels), so don't take any single pair of measurements as a trend! Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
Re: fjord ideal weight
This message is from: CHERYL GARNICA [EMAIL PROTECTED] Good point on the nutrient/dust component. Many of us at the mercy of the local feed store for hay however. Remember reading an article where a trainer said you should have your hay analyzed for nutrition content. Local feed store had a howling laugh at that one! Quality varies every load they get. Funds not endless and many of us don't have the luxury of pastures growing out own food supply or ordering from all over the continent for the primo feed, don't even know where I would begin with that., I suppose like us humans the horses diet will be better some days than others and will survive with the supplements and over all diet balances out.. I appreciate whoever wrote about the fjords being more fuel efficient. I apparantly have one that is NOT an overeater. Actually leaves food behind. Only been 2 weeks and does not appear to be losing wt. ..kind of watching it overall and sounds like I will have to make feed adjustments. Thanks to all for info. everyone...food for thought (pun inteneded!) Cheryl in Ca. Warren Stockwell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: Warren Stockwell - Original Message - From: Marsha Jo Hannah CHERYL GARNICA wrote: I am a 2 week newbie fjord owner and wondered about the wt. issue. [...] I am going by rule of thumb and feeding by weight, meaning feed 2% of body wt. I agree that hay ought to be fed by weight. Bales come in a lot of different sizes and densities, so it's hard to feed consistently based on bales, or flakes, or even inches. No matter how you feed hay you need to be aware of the quality/ food value of the hay you are feeding. I cut and bale my own so I know what I have. Many horse owners don't have that luxury to know at what stage it is being cut, and when it was baled. I just did a job ( pet sitter ) where I was to feed 1 bale A.M and the bale weighed at least 45 lbs. When I opened it up I found heavy packed dusty hay with (I would bet if tested little food value). SO if fed by weight these horses wouldn't get what was expected for food. I'm glad these horses have pasture I would bet most of the hay will be left or stomped into the mud. This was cut at the right stage ( looked like it ) but most likely baled to early and to tight. Leaving moisture content to high and became dusty/ moldy. Reduced quality. weight is good but you need to know the quality of what you have no matter how you feed.
Re: fjord ideal weight
This message is from: Warren Stockwell [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: Marsha Jo Hannah [EMAIL PROTECTED] CHERYL GARNICA [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am a 2 week newbie fjord owner and wondered about the wt. issue. [...] I am going by rule of thumb and feeding by weight, meaning feed 2% of body wt. I agree that hay ought to be fed by weight. Bales come in a lot of different sizes and densities, so it's hard to feed consistently based on bales, or flakes, or even inches. No matter how you feed hay you need to be aware of the quality/ food value of the hay you are feeding. I cut and bale my own so I know what I have. Many horse owners don't have that luxury to know at what stage it is being cut, and when it was baled. I just did a job ( pet sitter ) where I was to feed 1 bale A.M and the bale weighed at least 45 lbs. When I opened it up I found heavy packed dusty hay with (I would bet if tested little food value). SO if fed by weight these horses wouldn't get what was expected for food. I'm glad these horses have pasture I would bet most of the hay will be left or stomped into the mud. This was cut at the right stage ( looked like it ) but most likely baled to early and to tight. Leaving moisture content to high and became dusty/ moldy. Reduced quality. weight is good but you need to know the quality of what you have no matter how you feed.
Re: fjord ideal weight
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah [EMAIL PROTECTED] CHERYL GARNICA [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am a 2 week newbie fjord owner and wondered about the wt. issue. [...] I am going by rule of thumb and feeding by weight, meaning feed 2% of body wt. estimated as I do with the other horses. The others will gain or lose depending on season or activity. I will adjust feed by about a pound depending on the gain or loss. It has worked pretty well for me with other horses with only a few changes in feed. In my area and probably everyone elses, the way they bale hay can be dense feed or pretty lose so weighing is safest way to go Cheryl in Ca. I agree that hay ought to be fed by weight. Bales come in a lot of different sizes and densities, so it's hard to feed consistently based on bales, or flakes, or even inches. However, for a maintenance ration on a lightly-used Fjord, I'd suggest 1.5% of body weight, per day, as a baseline, then adjust up/down as needed. Fjords are highly fuel efficient, and will turn any extra calories into fat. (I once compared notes with a neighbor, and found that I was feeding 2 Fjords and a donkey on what she was pouring into 1 TB gelding!) Right now, my guys are getting grass hay at 1% of body weight per day, plus 1 hour of pasture time (for which the tubby one wears a grazing muzzle)---no grain, and just enough alfalfa hay pellets to get them to eat their supplements. They are slowly losing weight on this, whereas the above, with 2 hours of pasture led to weight gain. Think air ferns Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
Re: fjord ideal weight
This message is from: Reena Giola [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cheryl thanks for bringing it up about the density.also the richness of the hay has to be considered. When we moved from CA to MI the hay was much richer in CA, so a very small flake was requiredwe also do it by weight.and after a while you can pretty much tell how much a flake weighs...roughlyso when in MI I didn't realize how much less the quality was..poor Gus was so hungry there as I had them feeding him a very small amount after we arrived..then after I discovered the difference he got a HUGE flake of hay, gosh sometimes it was up to 3 flakes, but loosely packed and didn't weight much, nor was the hay very rich..and believe me, he never got fat!!! so it's not just the size of the flake, it's the quality of it and the weight of it. This message is from: CHERYL GARNICA [EMAIL PROTECTED] I I am going by rule of thumb and feeding by weight, meaning feed 2% of body wt. estimated as I do with the other horses. The others will gain or lose depending on season or activity. I will adjust feed by about a pound depending on the gain or loss. It has worked pretty well for me with other horses with only a few changes in feed. In my area and probably everyone elses, the way they bale hay can be dense feed or pretty lose so weighing is safest way to go I
RE: fjord ideal weight
This message is from: CHERYL GARNICA [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am a 2 week newbie fjord owner and wondered about the wt. issue. The trusty measuring tape I think MIGHT be ballpark accurate within 100# or so, MAYBEdon't think it takes into consideration the heavier boned legs compared to other horses and who knows what is that makes fjords different! I am going by rule of thumb and feeding by weight, meaning feed 2% of body wt. estimated as I do with the other horses. The others will gain or lose depending on season or activity. I will adjust feed by about a pound depending on the gain or loss. It has worked pretty well for me with other horses with only a few changes in feed. In my area and probably everyone elses, the way they bale hay can be dense feed or pretty lose so weighing is safest way to go I have no idea what the wt. of your horse should be...after looking at fjord ads and pics for 2 years and being a fjord novice, I would say depends on the type (drafty vx. light boned) and the muscling, muscle weighs more than fat but not sure the wt. tape picks that up. I use the old eyeball approachthen pull out the wt. tape if they obviously are getting porky... Dont' know if that helps and if there is a better method, I'm interested Cheryl in Ca.
Re: need information or good source for information on good fjord weight
This message is from: Don Brackett [EMAIL PROTECTED] They are all different, probably with a huge range. You should be able to feel the ribs easily but not see them. I see an awful lot of fat Fjords. Mine are still too fat and I'm always struggling to provide more exercise to keep them trim. Osa, 13.2, drafty build tapes 1025, I can barely feel her ribs when I push quite hard. Geilo, 14.1 a little lighter build tapes 1000. My vet feels they should both loose more...so hard. ConnieBennett wrote: What should a fjord filly, 5-6 years, 14.1h high weigh?
RE: fjord weight
This message is from: Teressa Kandianis [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 10:23 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: re: fjord weight I would ask how much they are feeding/day. We feed about 6-8 inches off a small square bale to each horse 2 times/day. We had a heck of a time keeping our horses at a good weight - even after I moved them to a training barn where they became very fit. I was feeding a supplement that was mixed with sweet feed - tdi 10 - along with grass hay. Still overweight. Finally, we quit with the tdi 10 and fed them just a plain supplement mixed with a scant handful of oats. Their diet now consists of 5 lbs local grass hay each morning and evening. And for lunch, they get a fluffed up probably 1/2 lb of hay just to make them think they get fed when everyone else does. Also their handful of oats with their Milleniium Gold supplement mixed in each evening. But they are not skinny - I can feel the ribs but not see them. Their butts and chests and necks are well muscled - Nina not so much as she is still getting fit after coming back to work in January when she weaned her baby. But her girth holes are back to normal. They are worked 5 or 6 days a week. Merit is so strong, he can canter for 15 minutes without a break or slow down and not be breathing heavy when he's allowed to walk. And still they are on these sparse rations. Dane had been on pasture for a few years and was incredibly cresty and fat when we bought him last spring - he was put on these same rations and training plan and was trim and muscular by the end of summer. Though still bull headed - diet doesn't fix everything. We learned we just can't feed a supplement that has the junk mixed in with it. They did not get those last pounds off until we switched to a supplement that is only a teaspoon a day. We also bought grazing muzzles, so on the occasions when we have them on pasture, their intake is very limited. Of course, this doesn't apply to Nina when she was nursing or to the baby who is growing like a weed. We don't even feed treats - its not good for ground manners when we feed them by hand anyhow. We are rank novices and have learned most of our lessons the hard way...though we now have good healthy fit horses, its a tribute to the fjord breed as much as to our learning curve. Teressa in Ferndale, WA
re: fjord weight
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 5/17/05 12:11:15 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I would ask how much they are feeding/day. We feed about 6-8 inches off a small square bale to each horse 2 times/day. mark, this is the most definitive description of the amount of hay to feed that i have come across. thank you i tell DH not so much hay, but he still doesn't know how much. now i can say with certainly how much i want him to have. i am very embarassed at how heavy Oz got over the winter. he's been on pretty flat grass (he's eaten down pretty well), but even that may be too much. i know he's not getting enough exercise, but i am working on that part. he's also going to spend more time in our dry lot. ok, it's not totally dry, since he always finds a wet spot to sleep in..last night it was on the poop pile. i bought a weight tape yesterday in the hope of getting an approx weight on him.turns out he doesn't like white paper streamers any more than white plastic bags. i though i would drape it quietly over his back.nope, wasn't gonna happen. now i will have to work on him getting used to it before i can really tell how much work we have to do. thanks very much laurie, and oz central minnesota where it's been raining FOREVER
RE: need information or good source for information on good fjord weight
This message is from: Skeels, Mark A \(GE Healthcare\) [EMAIL PROTECTED] I would say if worked good several times a week, maybe between 1000-1100 lbs, if a pasture ornament probably 1100-1250. All of our horses are around 14.1-14.2 and when they get worked several days a week the probably loose 100-150 lbs from when they weren't worked. And the ones that aren't worked are around 1250 lbs. I would ask how much they are feeding/day. We feed about 6-8 inches off a small square bale to each horse 2 times/day. If they are being worked that hard they will also need some grain. If they are being worked hard they will probably need a little more hay than that also. Also does their hay have much nutrition in it, or is it overly dried out swamp grass? Could the horse have a infestation of worms or parasite? Also, I think what we call driving or riding in some horse arena's is child's play. Some people, especially rodeo type people, work their horses quite a few more hours a week than most typical Fjord owners, so I don't know if most of us really know what a Fjord would look like if worked real hard. And I don't mean standing for a hour waiting for someone to load a wagon of wood to haul back a half mile to the house once in a while or someone that has 10 fjords and rides each one at a trot a few times around the arena 5 times a week working up a 15 minute sweat or maybe a carriage ride a couple times a week. These things, to hard core rodeo types, is child's play. But I do admit, 800 lbs seems like there would be more rib showing than any 14.1 healthy horse with normal body fat content would have, much less a Fjord. The same is true of people and horses. If we burn more calories than we consume in a day, we loose weight. I don't know if there is a way to figure out actual body fat percentage on a horse, but there must be a way. What is the actual healthy body fat percentage for horses? Other than just standing back and looking at the horse and feeling the ribs, anything scientific and reproducible that takes out human error on the market? Also, there is a limit to how lean a animal or person can be before it can start to affect body organs. And of course the opposite is true also, overly obese horses probably can be subject to similar health problems as overly obese humans. And it don't take much to be considered obese, I being 6'1 at 210 lbs am considered borderline obese. How about my 14.2 horse at 1250 lbs. They would eat until they pop if given a chance it seems at times. We must be careful as we care for our precious ponies, either way, starving or over indulging them. Mark Skeels Helena MT. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of ConnieBennett Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 5:53 PM To: fjordhorse digest Subject: need information or good source for information on good fjord weight This message is from: ConnieBennett [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have been using a trainer who mostly works with arabs, qtr horses. She's excellant but I think a little nutty about horses being on the lean and mean side. Last fall my then 5 year old fjord was there. A NOVICE who really wanted a fjord fell in love with my fjord and bought her from me. I thought things would be ok as she was going to leave the fjord at this stable and trainer. My grandson who was co-owner on this fjord needed the $for college so we went ahead. Also, I was in a car acciddent a year ago and 5 horses seemed a bit much to shovel up after. I just took my youngest fjord over to the trainer and she said that she was grossly obese (my vet said 100 lbs overweight). I went and looked at the fjord that was mine last year and I got sick. She looks so thin and not like a fjord at all. In six months I would guess that she weighs 800-850 lbs. She said it's all muscle and I said she doesn't even look like a fjord any more and you're trying to turn her into a blooming little arab. What should a fjord filly, 5-6 years, 14.1h high weigh?
need information or good source for information on good fjord weight
This message is from: ConnieBennett [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have been using a trainer who mostly works with arabs, qtr horses. She's excellant but I think a little nutty about horses being on the lean and mean side. Last fall my then 5 year old fjord was there. A NOVICE who really wanted a fjord fell in love with my fjord and bought her from me. I thought things would be ok as she was going to leave the fjord at this stable and trainer. My grandson who was co-owner on this fjord needed the $for college so we went ahead. Also, I was in a car acciddent a year ago and 5 horses seemed a bit much to shovel up after. I just took my youngest fjord over to the trainer and she said that she was grossly obese (my vet said 100 lbs overweight). I went and looked at the fjord that was mine last year and I got sick. She looks so thin and not like a fjord at all. In six months I would guess that she weighs 800-850 lbs. She said it's all muscle and I said she doesn't even look like a fjord any more and you're trying to turn her into a blooming little arab. What should a fjord filly, 5-6 years, 14.1h high weigh?
birth weight
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Our foals have ranged in weight from 80 to 94 lbs. All strong and healthy as...well, healthy as horses. Little Tarmo who weighed 80 lbs at birth is now eight months old and almost 13 hands tall. You can barely tell him apart from the adults when they are standing in the pasture together. Janice in Nebraska
Re: Foal Birth Weight
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 3/9/2005 9:22:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I had several that weighted right at 95 lbs. The smallest one [Fjord Baby] I've had so far was around 95 (39). Then two were a little over 100 (41), and one that was about 125 and 42 at the shoulder. Catherine Lassesen had one last year that weighed in at 140 at 3 days old! Amy Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords Redmond OR [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Foal Birth Weight
This message is from: jerrell friz [EMAIL PROTECTED] When I was in the breeding business, I had several that weighted right at 95 lbs. I also found that they gain about 3 pounds a day. I weighted them by holding them,[in my arms] and stepping on the bathroom scales. An old timer once told me that if I picked them up each day, and weighted them, that I would always be able to pick them up. This worked, for awhile, and then I would miss a day, and would not be able to lift them after that. Must be like riding, don't ever stop, cause you might not be able to restart. I did go skiing today, after a couple of runs was flying down the mountain, what fun. Regards, Jerry Friz, Anderson, Ca. every farm needs a team
Re: determining weight of Fjords
This message is from: jgayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hooray Jean that you have rain. I have been worrying about your fire situation there. We had 97 degrees today and no wind. Horses are sweating but old Gunnar still has his head down on the dry grass in the usual Fjord position, Jean G. Author The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 46-49 Send $20 to: PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
determining weight of Fjords
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here is a neat weight calculator for Draft horses on the Rural Heritage website...maybe it will work for Fjords? http://www.ruralheritage.com/horse_paddock/horse_weight.htm Jean in RAINY Fairbanks, ALaska, lHooray for the Rain: maybe stop the fires! Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Fjord weight bearing
This message is from: Carol J. Makosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have a question about how much weight a Fjord can handle. I have noticed that some of the Fjords listed for sale are noted as to be a ladies horse. I am assuming this means they can't handle a lot of weight. But how would you know if you went to look at one for sale? I believe a horse can safely carry 1/4 of it's weight. -- Built Fjord Tough Carol M. On Golden Pond N. Wisconsin
Re: Fjord weight bearing
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have a question about how much weight a Fjord can handle. I have noticed that some of the Fjords listed for sale are noted as to be a ladies horse. I am assuming this means they can't handle a lot of weight. But how would you know if you went to look at one for sale? If we bought another horse, I would definitely want one that both my husband and I could ride without injuring it. Patty
Re: weight tapes and such
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 4/27/2004 2:06:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I agreed and Emily rode Nina in 4 flat classes where Nina won a blue and 2 red ribbons! Then Brittany rode Merit in two hunter classes over cross poles and 2 flat classes. Merit won 2 blues and 2 reds and the overall championship for that group. Wow, that's great Teressa! Sounds like you need to come down and give us some real competition here for the Oregon Gold show!!! Amy Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords Redmond, OR Fjord [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Fjord Weight
This message is from: Carol J. Makosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skeels, Mark A (MED) wrote: This message is from: Skeels, Mark A (MED) [EMAIL PROTECTED] OK, Going to try this again, maybe I won't get jumped on this time. My 19 month old filly is 750 lbs and the 21 month old gelding is 820 lbs. So I guess the measuring I did a couple months ago was operator error. Got to read the directions, but then usually men don't need those, d they. Also we are now feeding 1/6 bale morning 1/6 bale evening and about a cup of 12 percent protein grain mixture, so we have changed our feeding per feedback from this group. Good for you on cutting back on the feed Mark. I'm no expert, but remember those youngsters are still growing and may need a bit extra. What do the rest of you say? On the lighter side. Isn't it too bad we humans can't adjust our weight tapes/scales to read to our advantage. Built Fjord Tough Carol M. On Golden Pond N. Wisconsin
Fjord Weight
This message is from: Skeels, Mark A (MED) [EMAIL PROTECTED] OK, Going to try this again, maybe I won't get jumped on this time. We decided to worm the horses again today, got some of the wormer that is ivermectin, plus it has another drug that also kills tape worm, as we have heard from a couple vet type folks that a couple horses have died from tape worm and it is a good thing to worm them for it in winter worming. Anyhow, another try at the tape measure I figured out what I did wrong the first time. You see, there is a line on the tape measure about 3 inches from the end that says to stand to this line when measuring the horses height, well I was using that line to also measure the horses weight. I guess a dumb mistake, anyhow I read the small print on the weight side of the tape, and it says to measure weight to the end of the tape. So thus my horse weights are maybe a little more normal. My heaviest horse was 1240, my lightest was about 1130 of the mature horses, 4 year olds to 12 years old. I could pull the tape and vary the weight probably about 100 lbs, I could have maybe made them a hundred pounds lighter with putting enough tension on the tape to pack down the winter fuzzy's. My 19 month old filly is 750 lbs and the 21 month old gelding is 820 lbs. I think in the summer their weights will be at least 50 pounds or so less after the winter coat shed. So I guess the measuring I did a couple months ago was operator error. Got to read the directions, but then usually men don't need those, d they. Also we are now feeding 1/6 bale morning 1/6 bale evening and about a cup of 12 percent protein grain mixture, so we have changed our feeding per feedback from this group. That's it for now. Mark Skeels
weight tapes
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] What Connie says made sense, using the tape measures to tell if a horse is gaining or loosing weight. On our Morgan gelding, who is prone to fat, we have his own tape and have marked it with the dates, to keep track of him. The only problem is as he ages, his belly is bigger and saggier, so the tape doesn't reflect that. Sometimes you have to have an extremely accurate weight, like the new EPM medication Navigator requires it while the older Marquis does not. Valerie Pedersen Columbia, CT
Feeding, weight tapes, blankets, barns, etc.
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jean wrote: ...I figure an average of 1 50 lb bale/day of grass hay for four Fjords over the year Sounds about right to me, Jean. In the winter, I feed two 45-55 lb bales of alfalfa or mixed grass-alfalfa hay to 7 fjords and 1 small belgian mare. (We live in dairy country -- not too much all-grass hay produced around here.) The horses get more hay if the weather is cold + windy + rainy and less if there's grass to eat. I also feed oats occasionally for a treat. Our elder pony Biscuit who lives in my front yard gets her own hay + oats + oil combo to keep her weight on. I don't worry too much about the weight tape numbers to figure out if a horse is overweight or not -- instead I feel the neck, ribs, loin and rump for excess fat. Even when the horses are looking trim and fit, it seems like Fjords keep a little more padding around their ribs than other breeds. So with them I worry more about an excess of padding on the neck and loin/rump area. Mike, a Fjord we bought a couple of months ago, had a bubble butt, a cresty neck, and lumpy fat deposits on his abdomen when we got him. Yikes! He's losing his excess weight slowly -- and he will be a heck of a nice looking horse when he's trim again. When I worm our horses, I do sometimes use a weight tape, but I have no real idea if the tape is accurate. It sounds like it's not, from what you all have been saying here. I usually use ivermectin and other wormers with a wide margin of safety on the dosage, so I don't get too worried about this issue. I don't own any horse blankets and only have a run-in area for the horses to get out of the wind and rain if they want. Most of the time they don't seem to care about the shed. I've noticed a difference this fall and winter though, now that we have Agnes, born 7/30/03. The big horses take her into the shed so she can sleep dry at night -- it's kinda cute how they all protect her. Her momma Sissel (from the Jensen's Trinity Fjords) feeds Aggie very well and Aggie is quite willing to chow down her alfalfa with her doting uncle Mike, an older fjord gelding. She's quite the butterball with an unusually thick woolly curly coat. I have only seen a horse shiver when it's cold + windy + rainy -- the shivering ones were were a thin skinned paint gelding and our Biscuit. I have used my own barn coat or an old people blanket as a makeshift blanket. Although I watch Aggie closely, especially in bad weather, she seems quite comfortable so far this winter. DeeAnna Northeast Iowa
Re: weight tapes, 1500#
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jerry, I feed this when the temps are averaging -20F to -30F, not all the time! Obviously, you wouldn't feed that much in California? Yet you said you're feeding 18-20 lbs grass hay...I feed only about 12 lbs grass hay in warmer seasons, (Brome/timothy IS grass hay, you know) and only about 1/2 lb grain and supplements. Old Bjarne seems to need the greater amount of senior feed and supplements to keep his weight up, he is 28 1/2 years old and was extremely thin, poor condition last spring. He is in great shape now. So I believe he needs the Equine senior as he doesn't seem to get the nutrition he needs out of just hay and the cob I was feeding him last year. equine senior actually is a lower carbohydrate feed than COB, so they are actually getting LESS grain. Basically, you're feeding 3-5 lbs more grass hay than I do even in the -20 degree weather, and your horses live in a mild climate! And I seem to remember that your Fjords were always much fatter than mine when you lived in Wasilla, AK! LOL Jean in Fairbanks, ALaska, warming up to -8 tonight! Jean feeds 15 lbs of Brome/Timothy hay to each fjord plus about 1 lb Equine senior, 1/4 lb calf manna, 1 oz Sho-glo vitamins and 1/4 cup ground flax. Old Bjarne gets 4 lbs Equine senior and 1/2 cup ground flax plus the calf manna and vitamins in addition to the hay.. --- I feed only grass hay, about 18 to 20 pounds, and 1/2 cup of TNT [supplement] by Dynamite. That's it, unless they are in hard competition , and/ or, working, than I feed [several pounds] Dynamite grain [dry cob], and a small amount of alfalfa. I do increase the grass hay when it's cold and rainy. Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
weight tapes, 1500#
This message is from: jerrell friz [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jean feeds 15 lbs of Brome/Timothy hay to each fjord plus about 1 lb Equine senior, 1/4 lb calf manna, 1 oz Sho-glo vitamins and 1/4 cup ground flax. Old Bjarne gets 4 lbs Equine senior and 1/2 cup ground flax plus the calf manna and vitamins in addition to the hay.. --- Wow Jean, If I feed this much grain, and the other stuff my horses would weigh 1200, to 1500 pounds. I feed only grass hay, about 18 to 20 pounds, and 1/2 cup of TNT [supplement] by Dynamite. That's it, unless they are in hard competition , and/ or, working, than I feed [several pounds] Dynamite grain [dry cob], and a small amount of alfalfa. I do increase the grass hay when it's cold and rainy. My four year- old Fjord gelding ,14.2h, taped 920 # yesterday. [He has whithers!] Although he weighs about 15 percent more. He will weigh about 1050# on the scales. This is because of dense bone, slow growth . He was not raised on a high protein diet. Mares milk is 10 percent protein, why feed 20 percent or more??? I figure he will continue to grow for another 2 years. I also find that tapes can be quite accurate. Just need to find how much your horse weighs on the scales, then use the tape, with the correction up or down. If your horse has been on a high protein diet ,then the tape will be more accurate. [ less dense bone] They discovered this in race horses some time back. Track T/B's, are constantly being weighed. I use the Henneke chart for body condition. I try to maintain a 5. If you want to look at the chart go to www.kritters.net/hen/hen.htmlhttp://www.kritters.net/hen/hen.html Please,, don't read into this that I am against alfalfa. Alfalfa is a great feed, a little goes a long ways. Alfalfa roots can go down into the soil 30 or more feet. Alfalfa contains a lot of minerals. A big problem with all hays now is the huge amount of nitrates, chemicals, that growers are using. And the chemicals that they inject into the hay as they are baling. It's all about the dollar, never mind the health of the horse or cow. [Good idea to know your grower, ask them what they use] It is very hard to get good hay here in Ca. Oh, it looks good nice and green BUT, high in nitrates. If in doubt have your hay tested. Regards, Jerry Friz Anderson, Ca. every farm needs a team
Fjords and Weight Carrying
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In our therapeutic riding program we love the short coupled body of the fjord or smaller draft crosses for carrying weight. A horse with a nice short back and good conformation can always out carry a long backed one. One important aspect is whether the weight is dead weight or mobile weight. A well balanced 3oo lb. person would be much easier to carry than a 150 lb. person who is nonmobile or sliding everywhere. Many times our equine therapists let us know what they are comfortable with. Hope that helps. Robyn in MD
Re: weight of rider for Fjords
This message is from: Kathleen Spiegel [EMAIL PROTECTED] Frederick J. Pack wrote: This message is from: Frederick J. Pack [EMAIL PROTECTED] Shelly, I think a general rule is 20% of the horses weight. Fred All Mail is scanned in AND out by Norton Anti-virus 2003. Fred and Lois Pack Pack's Peak Stables Wilkeson, Washington 98396 http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/3158 I think there was a discussion a while ago on this list and a formula given. Does anyone have it?. At 20% of a horses weight most of these quarter horses with heavy western saddles would be over mounted. I think it had less to do with weight than structure of the legs? Kathy
RE: weight of rider for Fjords
This message is from: Frederick J. Pack [EMAIL PROTECTED] Shelly, I think a general rule is 20% of the horses weight. Fred All Mail is scanned in AND out by Norton Anti-virus 2003. Fred and Lois Pack Pack's Peak Stables Wilkeson, Washington 98396 http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/3158
weight of rider for Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Shelley- Contact list member Betsy Bauer at www.fjordpony.com. She does Fjord consignment and helped me find my boys. I think a stout horse can carry up to 300lbs. Maybe the vets on this list could elaborate. From my own experience, it seems that balance and good riding skills are much more important than weight. I've seen big riders move with grace and style, staying completely out of the horse's way. I've seen 120lb model types bounce up and down like a sack of potatoes ;-) / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA www.Brigid.Clickryder.com
Re: weight pull log skid
This message is from: Carol J. Makosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is from Joel Harman. Gandolf is the gelding C-1390. He'll beswitching gears next week for the Pendleton Round-Up parade, something I've been trying to recruit fjords to for 10 yr now. Novel concept here - one gets PAID for bringing a team to this parade. Hi Joel, I sure enjoy hearing about your life with the Fjords and appreciate you taking the time out to update us on all of your activities. Keep the tales coming. -- Carol M. On Golden Pond N. Wisconsin
Re: weight pull log skid
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is from Joel Harman. Gandolf is the gelding C-1390. He'll beswitching gears next week for the Pendleton Round-Up parade, something I've been trying to recruit fjords to for 10 yr now. Novel concept here - one gets PAID for bringing a team to this parade. One pulls a wagon or whatever owned by the Round-Up assoc. Geir will be there as well as Honey, that world renowned author of Life on the Ground, Jord. Jord will hold up the other end of the tongue for Mom, C-1404, Who is looking for a new home. Alas, Jord has had a change of heart graciously decided to stay here at the ranch to replace Mom in the working string. Little brother Baar has also decided to stay but only if I get him a new sweetie for next year. Mom out, sweetie in. So goes the life of the punks at the ranch. Since Baar is coming 2 still basically useless he will continue to be a full fledged punk next year unless he gets lucky with Mom's replacement. Bye Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranchcustom farming logging with fjords Mosier OR nancy, get the colt a swimming pool to hang out in. Also a gteat opportunity to teach him about baths. Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!
Re: Weight Pull + Log Skid
This message is from: Hope Carlson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Congrats, Joel, on your wins at the State Fair, where the competition is usually pretty stiff. What is the name of this gelding, that at one time pulled almost 3x his weight! That is pretty impresive! I bet the light horse people would like to see you in the draft division, and the drafts are glad to see you in the light division! Every once in a while out here there is a draft pony division. So were the halfingers in the light horse division? I saw Pat Wolfe do a single horse log skid, lots of quick foot work required! Never seen a team. The time difference between your team and the runner up was excellent, congrats all around. The ponies definitely deserve the extra carrot award for jobs well done. Hope N IL
Weight tape issue
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Weight tapes and Fjords Of course weight tapes aren't accurate on Fjords, becaue of their build. BUT it does give you a standard for comparison other than your eyes. It's like standing on the scale, or putting on your jeans. The scale says you weigh the same - the waist band of your jeans says that over the winter, your muscle has turned to flab. Muscle weighs more, but occupies less space. So - scale or tape? R.Taylor, Straw Hat Stables -- Jumping through hoops to get E-mail on the road? You've got two choices: Join the circus, or use Molly Mail. Molly Mail -- http://www.mollymail.com -- Having trouble sending email from different locations ? Need a single outgoing mail server that will work from anywhere ? Set it to smtp.com and never have to change it again ! http://www.smtp.com --
Re: weight measure
This message is from: Carol J. Makosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carol; How funny with the dump scale - I am laughing outloud. Thing iswhen we move we will be frequenting the dump for disposal of various items and my brother said he looks forward to hauling stuff to the dump together (I think he is desperate for a social life - hahahaha!! ) .wait till I tell him we will be taking Sven and Lena to be weighed. Hi, I can't wait to hear your stories from the Boonies. Our friend mans a small dump and on Wed and Sat. afternoon, that is the social gathering place in town. And you should see the stuff he brings home from there. I won't complain because we have gotten some worthy things from him. Like bags and bags of cedar shavings for the garden and an unlimited supply of used tennis balls for the dogs. I will be working at the expo sales booth on Sat. and Sun 8-12. I'll wander by your stalls and see what help I can be. First I have to shop though. I will also hope to be bringing my old extra Fjord journals to give away. How can one be packing a whole house full and be on the internet a lot? ;-) -- Carol M. On Golden Pond N. Wisconsin
Re: weight measure
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carol; How funny with the dump scale - I am laughing outloud. Thing iswhen we move we will be frequenting the dump for disposal of various items and my brother said he looks forward to hauling stuff to the dump together (I think he is desperate for a social life - hahahaha!! ) .wait till I tell him we will be taking Sven and Lena to be weighed. He thinks I am a little off anyway to have so many horses and goats and cats and dogs and birds... Our house in Corcoran is sold - we close on the new house in 9 days the remodel begins and I will relocate ..OMG This is NOT a dream! Getting excited:):):) Linda in MN
RE: Weight Measure
This message is from: Cynthia Madden [EMAIL PROTECTED] I use the weight tape on Tank but as more of a plus or minus measurement that anything. I don't know his exact weight but I can keep track of what he is gaining or losing by using the tape - especially when I am carefully watching his weight due to training or other factors. I mostly depend on my eyes to see if he is looking OK. Right now, he is what I would call trim. He has been known as big piggy in the past! I think he looks good. BTW, I had to laugh when a European women who purports to know Fjords thought that Tank's reluctant manner of going was due to his being too thin! She said she had never seen such a slim Fjord. I told her to find his ribs if she thought that. I've never found them! Also, since our Jeff Morse Clinic, Tank and I doing much better with our forward movement. = Cynthia Madden Las Cruces, NM [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online http://webhosting.yahoo.com
Re: weight measure
This message is from: Carol J. Makosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] We have covered this once before, of course, but I still disagree with using the weight measuring tape on fjords. I agree about trusting the weight measuring tape. I took Heidi to our local garbage dump or transfer station and walked her on the scale there. The dump manager thought that was the funniest thing ever and wanted to know which bin to put her in. Anyway, she weighed 940#, but she is not real drafty. I'll have to do it again when it is summer and the dump hrs. are everyday to compare her with the last time which was about 2 yr ago. It is nice to know exactly how much your horse weighs and not to be sort of guessing. -- Carol M. On Golden Pond N. Wisconsin
Re: weight measure our new Fjord
This message is from: Jon A. Ofjord [EMAIL PROTECTED] At 12:00 PM 3/11/2003 -0800, you wrote: This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Has anyone actually weighed their Fjord on a scale? Jean Yes, Jean. We had to take our Fjord mare down to the University of Minnesota Vet Hospital several years ago and they weighed her on their scale. Right after foaling, she weighed in at 1225 Pounds! However, the weight tape showed her to be around 1000 pounds. We have found the weight tapes to be off by about 20% on Fjords. We also welcome the newest member of our fine family of Fjords - Rokida's Draugen. We just purchased him from Ann Sigford. He's so handsome! He joins his full sister, Vedas, his half brother - Rune, his niece Vesla Mai and Pookie (no relation) as part of our herd. If it ever warms up, we hope to use him around the farm and on trail rides, and show him this summer. Mary Ofjord North Coast Fjords Grand Marais, MN
Re: weight measure
This message is from: Lori Albrough [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jean Gayle wrote: Has anyone actually weighed their Fjord on a scale? Yes, we weighed Prisco on a horse scale. He stands 14 hh, 8 1/2 cannon bone, and weighed 1,050 lb on the scale. He is in fit condition. The weight tape correlated closely with the scale. Lori
Re: weight measure
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] My 16.2 hand warm blood mare (for sale) is 1300 to 1400 pounds. Has anyone actually weighed their Fjord on a scale? When I had Bjarne up at the University for his shoulder surgery/staph infection the vet weighed him on a scale there that he was led onto. We neglected to weigh him when he first came in (he had lost weight with the infection/surgery) but then he gained a lot while in the hospital as everybody that walked by fed him more hay! He was the only horse there and all the technicians loved him, had to stay 16 days until he got rid of all the Penicillin resistant Staph. When he left there he wasn't really fat , but not thin, he is 14-2 and weighed at that time 1150 lbs. I suspect he weighs at least 1200 lbs now. Too bad I didn't use a weight tape on him to compare. Jean in sunny but cold Fairbanks, Alaska, winter carnival and ice carvings going on! http://www.icealaska.com/ Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: weight measure
This message is from: Bossmare [EMAIL PROTECTED] I've thought mine could not possibly weigh as much as the tape says but I cannot deny a weight gain when I come to the ends of the weight tape and can barely get it to the last # which is in the 1300 lb. range. When I got both of my mares they measured (not weighed) 1000# and 800# respectively. Both had been in regular work prior to coming to my fat farm. Now a year later for one and 6 months for the other they measure 1259 and 1100. I keep thinking it's hair or perhaps I'm not measuring in exactly the same spot but there is no denying the increase. Diet consists of timothy hay (not free-choice) and low-carb Triple Crown Lite pellets (1 lb. each for the vits. minerals). I believe it's the exercise that keeps the weight in check much more than the diet. Lois in NJ where it might be looking like spring. - Original Message - From: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 3:00 PM Subject: Re: weight measure This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] We have covered this once before, of course, but I still disagree with using the weight measuring tape on fjords. Their legs are shorter than the bulk of their bodies compared to horses. At least the drafty types. My tape measured my 13.2 Fjord as weighing 1200 pounds. My Vet agrees that he can not be that heavy. Granted you have to push a bit to find a rib through flesh and fur. My 16.2 hand warm blood mare (for sale) is 1300 to 1400 pounds. Has anyone actually weighed their Fjord on a scale? Jean Jean Walters Gayle Aberdeen, WA Author:The Colonel's Daughter $20 PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: weight measure
This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] We have covered this once before, of course, but I still disagree with using the weight measuring tape on fjords. Their legs are shorter than the bulk of their bodies compared to horses. At least the drafty types. My tape measured my 13.2 Fjord as weighing 1200 pounds. My Vet agrees that he can not be that heavy. Granted you have to push a bit to find a rib through flesh and fur. My 16.2 hand warm blood mare (for sale) is 1300 to 1400 pounds. Has anyone actually weighed their Fjord on a scale? Jean Jean Walters Gayle Aberdeen, WA Author:The Colonel's Daughter $20 PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
RE: weight and Fjords
This message is from: DT [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ruth, I agree with you. I know when I decided to become involved with horses again before I even thought of a breed my consideration was their weight bearing capability. I am a large woman and don't want a horse that runs when he sees me coming to get on him. :-) So I started looking at breeds that typically have shorter canon bones, shorter backs, etc. The Fjord was one of those that fit my criteria for weight bearing. Then I read all I could on the internet and then read Carol's book and was sold. All I could think of was Fjords. I mean it was electrifying when I touched my first Fjord. Anyway when I talked to people about purchasing a Fjord I wanted to know if he could carry my weight easily. Since then I have had many people say to me something about, hey that would be a good horse for me as I am a large rider. Deb
re: weight gain
This message is from: Peter Deb Coggiola [EMAIL PROTECTED] We had a Fjord colt that had a tough time keeping weight on. We did two things which seemed to help. We added rice bran to his diet and we changed the company he kept. The rice bran added fat and calories (we only added 1 oz twice a day) and we removed his energetic playmates and left him with the more easy-minded adults. We also have a five year old Trakahner gelding who was terribly thin when we purchased him last summer. He had had a bout with founder and we knew upping his grain ration was not the answer. We added rice bran (1 oz X 2 daily) to a performance feed and give him all the grass hay he can eat. He has put on weight very nicely and his coat is beautifully shiny. One caution on the rice bran with Fjords, they get a great coat but the mane also gets soft and must be kept trimmed more closely to keep it erect. Deb
Re: Weight Fitness
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/4/2002 6:13:02 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: we (or I) should be working on doing the same for myself! Oh boy did you say a mouthful there!! I'm guilty - I should go jogging with my horses too. Working all day at a mostly desk job doesn't help either. :( Amy Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords Redmond, OR Fjord [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Lack of weight gain in fjords.
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sue Clark-Sorger [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 2 Fjords mother and son [...] have difficulty keeping weight on. [...] Has any one else ever had this problem? The only time I've had a skinny Fjord was when my old mare's teeth were giving her problems (one loose, painful molar, and all banks of molars worn oddly, such that she was poking herself in the gums when she tried to chew). Three different vets had their hands in her mouth, and all proclaimed that her teeth were fine; an equine dentist easily detected the problems. At that point, her teeth were too far gone for him to fix, although he did pull the loose tooth and grind down the poking teeth so she could chew without pain. Putting her onto grass hay pellets and a little Equine Senior soon had her back to her normal, chubby self. A fairly simple diagnostic would be to feed them hay pellets; if they improve with pre-chewed food, then it's probably a tooth issue. Interesting that the two horses are related. If that were my mare, I probably wouldn't breed her again, until the problem is diagnosed, and I had satisfied myself that the problem was somehow acquired, as opposed to genetic. Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
Re: Lack of weight gain in fjords.
This message is from: Mary Thurman [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I told the foreman at Los Trigos that I would post this question. They have 2 Fjords mother and son that they have difficulty keeping weight on. Their vet has run numerous tests and still doesn't know why. They are being fed the best hay free choice plus numerous supplements, grains etc. Any other fjord would be huge on what these 2 are getting. They are both beautiful movers and are nice fjords but thin, rib showing thin. Has any one else ever had this problem? Sue, Yes, we did - with a Fjord gelding we purchased as a youngster. He was one of those 'longer, leaner' type Fjords. Rather tall, with longer leg-to-belly length than the usual Fjord. As a youngster he looked more like a warmblood in Fjord clothing than he did like our other Fjord youngsters. As he grew we just could NOT keep weight on him. Finally we hit upon the answer: He was one of those horses that does not process carbohydrates well. The solution was easy - we stopped feeding him loads of grain(carbohydrates) and started feeding him a pellet based ration with rice bran(fat) added. The fat he COULD process, so he began to put on weight quickly(we noticed a difference within 10 days). The added bonus of rice bran is that it also gives them a very sleek, shiny coat, and great feet! He was always fed grass hay - or a grass alfalfa mixture - along with his pelleted ration and rice bran. The pelleted ration was just a sweet feed that included vitamins and minerals in the pellets. I believe it may also have had some grain in it - but not much. Basically grain did him no good - he needed the switch to fat(rice bran) in place of carbohydrates. BTW - he grew to be 15.1 and 1250 pounds and is now used in Pony Club as a hunter/jumper with a little dressage on the side. Hope this helps. Also, when starting a horse on rice bran it is a good idea to start with just a small handful mixed in their grain until they develop a taste for it(and they WILL). Otherwise they will whuff at the strange stuff in their grain ration and blow a big cloud of it up in their face, which is usually not to their liking. Once our horse got a taste for rice bran, he would eat it WITHOUT anything else mixed in!! He loved it, as has every other horse we've ever fed it to. Mary = Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com
Lack of weight gain in fjords.
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I told the foreman at Los Trigos that I would post this question. They have 2 Fjords mother and son that they have difficulty keeping weight on. Their vet has run numerous tests and still doesn't know why. They are being fed the best hay free choice plus numerous supplements, grains etc. Any other fjord would be huge on what these 2 are getting. They are both beautiful movers and are nice fjords but thin, rib showing thin. Has any one else ever had this problem? Sue Sue Clark-Sorger Crown Oak Fjords Sandia Park NM
Saddles Round Bales Weight Gain Ivermectin
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The saddle issue is one I've been working on for a long time. I finally found an Ascot All Purpose in an 18 inch seat with the widest gullet I have ever seen. Fits our Fjord Nina wonderfully and several other roundies, it's a very nicely made leather saddle and I purchased it off of ebay from a saddle shop in CA called Frontier. It was under $400.00. I have on order the Thorowgood AP Griffin in the extra wide and will see how it fits, it's synthetic and under $400.00 too. The Wintec even with the extra wide gullet was not wide enough for Nina and the others. I've been hearing some problems with the changeable gullets as if they are not done correctly and tight they slip and can injure your horse. I have used the treeless saddle and do not recommend them as I've found they do slide especially with riders who are new and don't keep their balance well. Round bales we have fed them for over ten years with no problems of course we only get the ones that have been stored inside. This year our vet did suggest botulism shots for all and she also uses round bales. For the skinnies needing weight I use corn oil and soy meal and some also get beet pulp. This provides those extra calories but not extra energy, this is especially good with those thoroughbreds who won't gain weight. The ivermectin issue is very important as it will kill dogs of collie extraction. I had a dog who I was treating for mange and none of the smelly stuff worked. Finally in an article in Mother Earth News the suggestion was use ivermectin. So I dosed all our dogs and my friend's dogs. The good thing was it worked great for clearing up the mange. The bad part was it killed my friend's Australian Shepherd. Seems it is toxic to dogs of collie extraction. I did notify Mother Earth and they put a notice in their next issue. Robyn in MD where Spring is back
RE: fjordhorse-digest V2002 #82 Weight management in my fjord
This message is from: Skeels, Mark A (MED) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Caitlin: I'm a novice at this sort of thing so my advice is not necessarily 100% fact. I'll tell you what has done it for 1 of my horses, we started training him...his fat has turned into a horse that looks to be in real fine shape. After just 6 weeks of daily (take Sunday off) training, round pen work, walking, trotting, cantering, the normal beginning work on a horse, he has muscled up and seems to have dropped maybe 70 pounds or so. We may actually be feeding him slightly more. My advice is activity on a regular basis. If you already train, then I guess it needs to be known what the daily ration is, we feed our horses about a half bail each of 90%timothy/10%alfalfa mix hay, no grain except for the yearlings. The older ones are all heavy, but like I say, we only have the 1 in training. Mark and Sandra Skeels Lord's Farm - Fjords Rainy all day here in central Wisconsin -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 6:33 PM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: fjordhorse-digest V2002 #82 Weight management in my fjord This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi everyone! Could anyone give me a good way of getting some fat off my fjord? I think he's too fat while I know he's too fat! Anyway, He lives to eat and at the moment he eats about 4-5 flakes a day spread out at different times and as for grain he gets about 5 pellets total(just to keep him happy)!!!. Thanks, Caitlin
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2002 #82 Weight management in my fjord
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi everyone! Could anyone give me a good way of getting some fat off my fjord? I think he's too fat while I know he's too fat! Anyway, He lives to eat and at the moment he eats about 4-5 flakes a day spread out at different times and as for grain he gets about 5 pellets total(just to keep him happy)!!!. Thanks, Caitlin
Re: How to determine correct weight on Fjord
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] On any horse The easiest rule of thumb is that you should be able to feel ribs by applying gentle pressure, but not see them. Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords Redmond, OR Fjord [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: How to determine correct weight on Fjord
This message is from: Mary Thurman [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Reena [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: Reena [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi listers! How should one determine if our horses are too fat or too THIN!? This is without a mesuring weight tape The rule our vet uses is quite simple: If you can easily see a horse's ribs(not just a faint ripple under the skin when he moves, but REAL RIBS showing whenever you look at him) he is too thin. You should be able to FEEL the ribs when you run your fingers firmly across the horse's ribcage, but not really SEE them. Sometimes a broodmare's ribs will be visible when she moves, as her ribcage gets sprung from carrying foals. It's been my experience that some Fjords are actually a bit too thin when their hipbones or top of croup become visible - it just looks bad, and a few extra pounds will usually cover the bones up a bit better. .I think Gus is too thin.any hints for fattening up a bit, with out making them hyper? Yes, add rice bran to his diet. It gets its calories from FAT, not carbohydrates, which are the culprits in grain making a horse 'hyper'. We used rice bran on one of our geldings that was always too thin. Worked wonders - and a great side benefit is the lovely coat they have when on rice bran. Some of the more 'athletic' style Fjords with longer legs and leaner body styles seem to have a tough time keeping weight on - especially when they are growing, or under the stress of training, conditioning, etc. Maybe it's an inherited trait, who knows. But it does exist and is easily remedied by feeding rice bran. Also, be sure the horse is being wormed correctly for his pasture/horse density situation. Mary = Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax http://taxes.yahoo.com/
Re: How to determine correct weight on Fjord
This message is from: Reena [EMAIL PROTECTED] no he is thinkI can feel his ribs! he lost alot of weight when we moved here to MIand then hay they feed at the barn isn't the best..he was nicely plump/fat in CA - Original Message - From: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2002 9:51 PM Subject: Re: How to determine correct weight on Fjord This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reena, you jest about your Fjord being too thin! I have never seen a thin fjord. Must be a myth? Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563 --- This email was scanned for BUGS when it left my computer Outgoing mail is certified Bug Free and Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.344 / Virus Database: 191 - Release Date: 4/2/2002
Re: How to determine correct weight on Fjord
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Our friend and neighbor who is a vet and a Professor of animal science at Utah State University (USU) gave me an article about feeding horses from the Horse Industry Handbook it says (and I'll shorten it up just to include moderaterly thin to fat. Moderaterly thin: score 4 back negative crease, ribs mid barrel, see slight outline, neck is moderately thin. Shoulders (forerib) is moderately thin, whithers are moderately thin, tailhead has some fat. Moderate: score 5, back level (no crease), ribs (mid barrel) not see easily feel, neck blend into shoulder, shoulder (forerib) blends smothly into body, whithers are rounded, tailhead has moderate fat. Moderately fleshy: score 6, back slight crease, ribs not see but feel, neck has little fat, shoulders (forerib) little fat, whithers have a little fat, tailhead has moderate fat. Fleshy: score 7, back average crease, ribs barely feel, neck has average fat, shoulders have average fat, whithers have average fat, tailhead is fleshy fat. Fat: score 8, back obvious crease, ribs difficult to feel, neck is fat, shoulders forerib is flush behind, whiters are fat filled, tailhead is fat. I'm afraid both our Fjords fall into the fat catagory at the present time. Now that spring is here I hope we will get some of it worked off them. Hyde Park Utah clear and dry 60 degrees -- OE Pat Wilson UFF DA Fjords Hyde Park, Utah This message is from: Reena [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi listers! How should one determine if our horses are too fat or too THIN!? This is without a mesuring weight tape.I think Gus is too thin.any hints for fattening up a bit, with out making them hyper? Reena and Gus --- This email was scanned for BUGS when it left my computer Outgoing mail is certified Bug Free and Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.344 / Virus Database: 191 - Release Date: 4/2/2002
Re: How to determine correct weight on Fjord
This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reena, you jest about your Fjord being too thin! I have never seen a thin fjord. Must be a myth? Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: How to determine correct weight on Fjord
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 4/7/02 6:04:28 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: How should one determine if our horses are too fat or too THIN!? This is without a mesuring weight tape.I think Gus is too thin.any hints for fattening up a bit, with out making them hyper? You should be able to feel his ribs, but not see them. I don't have any problem fattening up my fjords. Just the opposite. But my QH is rail thin. And picky about her hay, which she gets more of than she will eat. Rolled oats are a good source of nourishment without getting them too hot. Pamela
How to determine correct weight on Fjord
This message is from: Reena [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi listers! How should one determine if our horses are too fat or too THIN!? This is without a mesuring weight tape.I think Gus is too thin.any hints for fattening up a bit, with out making them hyper? Reena and Gus --- This email was scanned for BUGS when it left my computer Outgoing mail is certified Bug Free and Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.344 / Virus Database: 191 - Release Date: 4/2/2002
Re: Weight pulls at Libby
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] please take me off the list. Leslie Becker
