Archive for It's About The Horse The Free Forum for those Doing Parelli - and a whole lot More! "Anything forced and misunderstood can never be beautiful." Xenophon (430-355 B.C.),
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TrustMeNaturally
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Acid & Water Retention?If I heard this right from the person who was talking about it, can high acidity in water (or commercial grains) really make your horse retain water or fluid?
Diesel, our mini hinny has, what we call, a 'jelly belly.' We don't think it's fat, because it almost feels like, liquid-y. (I posted some pictures below) And I was wondering if our water, or our sweet feed could have high acid, therefore making him retain fluid and store it in his belly?
Here are the pictures:
Just curious if anyone else has experienced this or know anything about it. Thanks!
~Lea
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PasoBaby_CarolU
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No, I've never heard this before. In fact many people feed their animals more acid, like apple cider vinegar. Don't forget that stomach itself is highly acidic, it is how it breaks down fiber and starches.
It would be pretty easy to run a pH test on your feed and water if you are concerned. Most schools, soil conservation services, etc. have pH paper. You'd need to run it on several other feeds and water sources as controls.
A horse that retains water, retains it in their lower extremities and down the midline. It can be caused by many things and is fairly common in pregnant mares. It can also be a symptom of heart disease. You'll notice pitting edema, which means the limbs will look swollen and when you push your finger in, it will stay 'pitted' for many seconds. If it is water, it will show with the pitting test. Since your horse is a gelding and not pregnant, if he does have pitting edema I would call my vet. I am not familiar with the symptoms in horses, but in people pitting edema can be a symptom of congestive heart failure and other circulatory problems.
It looks to me like your pony has a grass belly. Less fiber and more exercise.
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TrustMeNaturally
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| PasoBaby_CarolU wrote: |
Since your horse is a gelding and not pregnant, if he does have pitting edema I would call my vet.
It looks to me like your pony has a grass belly. Less fiber and more exercise. |
Thanks so much, Carol!
He doesn't have the pitting edema, thank goodness, so you're probably right about the diet. He gets 4 hours a day on a really thin grass, almost dirt lot track and since we've put him on that, and the grass has started to die, his belly has gone done some. Also, he has somewhat of a cresty neck, and that has gone down too.
However, we would hate to put him on a dry lot 24/7 because he loves to be out with our other guys. It's such a fine line you have to walk with these ponies.  And looks like we may have to do some more exercise because... he doesn't do too much. 
Lea
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PasoBaby_CarolU
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I would cut out the grain. Horses don't need it, period. I keep sweet feed here and feed it 1 cup at time when I have to add medication. Otherwise, none ever get any grain. Sweet feed is nothing but additional carbohydrates. If he has a cresty neck, his body is telling you he doesn't need it.
JMHO
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Saddlebag
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Donkeys are actually designed to thrive on diets that a working horse would starve on. They are best kept on the lean side.
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