we're having difficulty putting weight on a draft mare...she's getting grain 3x day, almost unlimited hay...we have also tried beet pulp (gave her loose bowel movements, so we stopped), and have also tried a weight gainer supplement. (She's also wormed regularly)...any suggestions??? Anyone ever had this happen (we own 70+ horses, and everyone else is fat and healthy, she can't seem to put weight on), I almost wonder if she is actually older than her registration papers say!
Rosi M2009-02-26T06:24:25Z
Favorite Answer
I'm in California and if I have a horse who's starting to look a bit "ribby" or I've purchased some rack of bones, I go out and buy a 50LB sack of A&M (Ground alfafa and molasses) (In the mid west they use beet pulp BUT I've been informed that you HAVE to add water to it or it will swell in a horse's belly causing colic), dump it into a tub or feeder in the horse's stall, then top it with some rolled barley corn that is mixed with corn oil and apple cider vinegar. (I feed a 3LB coffee can of the barley corn mixture once a day.) The horse will normally devour the first couple of bags of A&M, but then they will slack off as they get used to it (Never had an issue with colic or founder)...
I haven't fed oats or any mixed feed in decades, basically because I've had running horses and TBs I'm trying to keep quiet, so I feed the rolled barley corn mixture to them for weight, NOT heat.
I also give my horses a hot bran mash twice a week with a 1/2 CUP of apple cider vinegar and corn oil (I can mix the barleycorn into it.). I feed 1/2 a 3 LB coffee can of red wheat flakey bran and add enough water to it so that it looks like oatmeal in consistancy.
I make sure that they get 2 flakes of alfafa hay per feeding.
Well have her teeth looked at and done. And start her on a good pelleted senior feed with about a 1/2 mix of oats in it. that's what helped my old mare make it to 40. and have her tested for wasting diseases and her stomach looked at. if she ate bracken ferns she may not have a much of a stomach lining. But if worst comes to worst it might be time to put the old girl down, sad as it is. Hope she improves soon. I know what its like to see one start to suffer and have to put them down.
hi older horses have a transformation of metabolism which may bring about weight alleviation and likewise weight benefit. as quickly as wellness care examine is roofed which contain tooth and the mouth its self and a few blood artwork, worming,and help with soreness alleviation if she has previous age issues which contain arthritis ect. Older horses could have problems with absorbing the food in the food the intestine gadget can replace into sluggish and the flowers and micro organism can replace into unbalanced. you will possibly desire to attempt a expert biotic and purple-cellular. additionally herbs for horses are good and distinctive on the marketplace for kidney cleans and intestine help. in case you alter her weight-alleviation plan do it slowly and watch the protein as to plenty might desire to provide her crammed legs and the kidneys might desire to artwork harder. Many older horses use physique fat to maintain heat so easy weight heat rugs will help Horse with cushings ailment might replace into diabetic and are additionally companies to laminitis they might replace into immunosuppressed and enhance infections . Do you the way a approaches into cushings she is and what indications she is exhibiting.
Have you checked her out with the vet? She might have something wrong with her. Also if you ring a feed nutritionist (Dengie is very good) they can advise you, as its such a complicated subject!
Blue Chip is bout £40 a bag, but lasts for agesss and is meant to be amazing, but check with the nutritionist/vet first.
Get barley rings and sugar beet. If she's old soak the barley rings because its easier to eat. YOU MUST SOAK THE SUGARBEET. Check on the packaging. Go to the place where you buy your food and ask the shop keeper if he reccomends anything. Just please remember to soak the sugarbeet if you use it, it will kill the horse otherwise. xxxxx