Posted 2014-09-26 10:10 AM Subject: Hay belly... but not....
Expert
Posts: 1210 Location: Kansas
A long while ago I read a thread on here about horses who have a harder time breaking down fiber and it leading to them looking like they always have a huge hay belly or even super wormy. I tried doing some research on my own but can't find any info on it. Anyone who can help me out here?
Posted 2014-09-27 7:05 AM Subject: RE: Hay belly... but not....
I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882 Location: MD
Southtxponygirl - 2014-09-26 7:15 PM
I know if they have to eat poor hay low in protein it will do this.
I agree with this.
Ill take some photos today of two horses, they get the same amount of hay, grain, one gets WAY more exercise than the other. the only difference is the quality of the hay is pretty low for one horse and not for the other. This might be your answer.
The Appaloosa gets very good quality hay, minimal exercise, same amount of grain/turnout. only 2 years apart
The Paint horse gets low quality hay, exercised everyday to a sweat. as you can see she appears almost pregnant and she's always this way. depends on the day, sometimes you can see some ribs, sometimes not.
I hope this helps you, sorry for the low quality pictures. The barn was getting new lights so I didn't have great lighting.
Posted 2014-09-27 8:20 AM Subject: RE: Hay belly... but not....
Elite Veteran
Posts: 678 Location: Canada
Horses who are eating hay with a lower protein content then they need will have a large hay belly but will still appear "ribby". A nutritionally balanced diet eliminates that bloated hay belly and rounds them out so they look full all over.
Posted 2014-09-27 9:24 AM Subject: RE: Hay belly... but not....
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354 Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas
The higher the protein/quality of the hay you wont see so much of a hay belly. Sometimes the quality is so low that the hay is only a filler and does no good for the body. Thats were the hay belly and being ribby and hip bones will come in. If you cant get good quality hay try feeding better feed. And adding alfalfa hay.
Hay belly... but not....
