>>>> NO PASTURE or yard (lush green grass). He can go out freely in the paddock, dry lot and arena. We've had a lot of rain and though it's all weeds, it's pretty lush. She wasn't concerned about that,
>>> It still amazes me that Vets do not get concerned about that....especially with Fat pads.... I would assume that the vet saw the paddock? I wouldn't be so quick to downplay what the vet said. After all, she's seen the horse, and she may even have seen the paddock, which none of us have. There's more than JUST the horse's physical well-being to consider in managing an obese horse. There's also the mental state of mind. Horses NEED to graze, psychologically and physically. They are driven to, and if they don't they can develop other issues - stable vices, attitude problems, even ulcers or colic... I have fought this battle for years, and now that I have MOST of my horses at good weights, I worry if they are really getting all the nutrition they need. I THINK they are, but it certainly isn't an easy thing to balance. It's an ongoing battle. We have to pick the lesser of the evils in sooo many things we do with our horses. And, since horses are living on average much longer than ever, I think we (overall as horse owners) must be doing some things right, largely guided by our veterinary community. Of course, we learn as we go, and of course, the native vegetation and richness of the soils will vary tremendously from one area to another. Bottom line though: I'd certainly ask questions always, but I'd trust a vet who's familiar with local conditions, and who's seen the horse, unless I had a VERY specific reason not to. It never hurts to do more research on your own to find supplemental ideas and methods to manage any long-term condition - and I think a good vet will encourage you to do so. I'm not a vet, nor do I play one on the internet, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for the profession. As far as certain weeds looking lush, some weedy grasses in OUR AREA are USUALLY fairly low sugar. And, depending on the size of the paddock, the amount of rain, the richness of the soil, a horse can eat it down, even destroying the weeds/grass, in no time flat. That's how most people I know create their dry lots. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.6/813 - Release Date: 5/20/2007 7:54 AM
