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Robbie
Name: Robbie
Livery Type: Retirement
Arrival Date: 27th May 2025
Age: 17
Breed: Clydesdale/ID
Height: 16hh
Medical Issues: Cushings
Rehabilitation: Hoof rehabilitation, mental health and weight management
Arrival:
Robbie is here for retirement with his friends Ruby and Alfie. Robbie's now lovely owner took ownership of him after his human mum passed away, and moved him to the same place she kept her other horses. Therefore, she has limited information on his history.
We have identified that Robbie doesn't like interacting with people and is rather standoffish. He appears quite shut down, which is apparent through his body language when interacting with both horse and human. This is something we tend to see in horses who have not socialised much with other equines, or have had long periods of restriction socialisation through stabling and restricted turnout.
Although Robbie is not overweight, he does have what we call 'grass weight'. This basically refers to the a suspected lack of muscle underneath weight that is built through grass consumption and not exercise, healthy eating or muscle growth.
Additionally, Robbie is in need of some healthier hooves, which we hope to achieve with a correction in diet, increased movement and a supportive, respectful trim.
Update - First Trim:
As you can see from the photos below, Robbie has separation of the white line, otherwise known as Laminitis. With time, this should grow out with a species appropriate diet in place.
9th October - Body Update:
Many owners assume once their horse is on a track system, that they'll see all the improvements that were promised to them in no time. What many people seem to overlook is the transitional part of using a track system, particularly when said horse has not been on a track before.
When a horse has been on a predominantly grass diet and has lived on pasture, we tend to see what we call 'fake muscle' or 'grass weight'. A horse may look well rounded, muscular or fit, but in reality, most grass does very little nutritionally and in fact, causes more problems than I can list. When we pair this unsuitable diet with a lack of movement that is commonly found among traditionally kept horses, the end result tends to be an under muscled, unfit horse with the wrong type of weight gain.
When a horse is the introduced onto a track system, and they suddenly begin to move more than they had done previously on a species appropriate diet, they go through the skinny stage. This skinny stage is essentially the process of the horse losing weight through a healthy diet and movement, and exposing the horse underneath.
Why does this happen? Losing weight or EMS fat pads tends to happen a lot quicker than building muscle does. Muscle takes time, passive physio, plenty of free movement and a diet that supports the development of muscle.
This is exactly what is happening to sweet boy Robbie.
Whilst Robbie didn't arrive overweight, he did have fatty areas that could have easily been mistaken as muscle across his shoulders and chest, bottom and back. He also has white line separation that is currently growing out, which is another indication that his previous lifestyle contributed to wide spread inflammation across the body.
Robbie has been on a small bucket fed with Calm Healthy Horses UK 's Premium MVA which is all the essential vitamins and minerals his body needs, with added protein to support gaining and building muscle, in addition to having adlib netted hay. With time and consistency, we should start to see Robbie improve.
December 2025 - Trim:
We're making good progress with Robbie's hooves now. He still has a long way to go, but he is slowly growing out the white line separation with each trim. Robbie also have contracted heels, which is typical of shod horses or horses who don't get enough movement, so we are looking forward to seeing his hoof capsule naturally and gradually widen over time.
January 2026 - Body Update:
To help with Robbie's healthy weight and muscle gain, he has had linseed oil and speedi beet added to his bucket feed, in addition to the Calm Healthy Horses' MVA that he was already on. We have slowly seen an increase in his weight, and his overall health has been improving, which is reflected in his hooves too. He has a way to go but he's making good progress.
We have seen huge differences in his mood and behaviour towards both horses and humans over his stay so far too.
