Feeding confusion!!!!!!!!!!?

Drastic changes to a horse's diet can cause many different gastric problems...but not feeding her "hard feeds" (I'm assuming as grain/pelletedfeed) to let her stomach "rest" is something I've never heard of. If he was so worried about diet changes maybe he should have just had you buy some bags of the feed she's originally on and keep her on it while at his yard. If she is that thin then clearly you were right in having her on grain and in that case she shouldn't have been taken off it. If he was worried about ulcers or something like that for the reason to "rest" her stomach, not having enough weight is just as big a problem as that....

BUT! to answer your question...Feeding good quality grass/alfalfa mix hay with 12-14% protein grain mix at it's suggested feeding guidlines will put weight on her again in a healthy manner. You can cause problems if you try to pile on the weight right away again too so becareful not to have her gain too much at once.

If this horse was being ridden over the winter, it would be just the time she needed hard feed. Resting the stomach is just nonsense.

To get her back on track, I would do the following:

1. It would be helpful to have some idea of what her ideal weight should be. At 16.2 I am guessing that she might be around 550 Kg. She should eat about 2% of her body weight per day so you should aim to get up to about 11 Kg or 23 Ibs feed per day. But increase it very slowly.

2. The first step is to make sure her fibre intake is enough. This is really important as it keeps the gut healthy and generates heat which will stop her from burning other reserves and losing more weight. A hay ration of about 18lbs a day would be about right at this time of year, but try to give it in at least 2 rations. If you can, slowly replace some of the hay with a good quality commercial haylage as this will have a guaranteed protein level.

3. Building up her bucket feed. I would start with Alfalfa as a basis and add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to this. You can then add a little at a time a commercial mix, something like build-up is good or one of the veteran feeds as these contain lots of digestible ingredients (and most have oil added already). Do weigh your feeds and follow the manufacturer's instructions so that you don't end up feeding too much hard feed which can be dangerous. You can also add some soaked sugar beet too.

Do all of this very slowly. Every change should be introduced over a period of about 5 days.

If you want a tailor-made programme for your horse, then you can contact the nutritionist at any of the feed companies and they will give you a programme based on the feeds that they sell. Phone numbers and addresses are on all the web sites.

I would also use a weigh tape and check progress.

Absolute rubbish, the reason this man told you not to feed her for two months prior to his riding her, was so she was not too hot for him to ride.

He probably isn't too good a rider and wants to look good in front of you.

If her ribs are showing then she needs the feed.

You don't starve a horse so you can ride it, you improve your riding!

Move her home quickly as if he is the type to starve her he is probably the type to beat her also.

She should be having good quality hay or haylage if she is not ridden, she may also need a maintenance feed as well.

For the best advice ring Dodson and Horrell or Spillers helpline and describe her work, living conditions and temprement also her current weight and they will advise the feed.

Mine are all competition horses which are ridden regularly so the feed I would give is probably a bit much for her if she is not to be ridden, but I would give her ad lib hay or haylage and a small feed of either mix or nuts mixed with chaff twice daily, increase it if she is still not thriving. A quick pick up for her would be Blue chip feed balancer.

is your mare kept in a stall or in a pasture or a bit of both. What kind of work was she doing. These are all different scenarios with different means and ends as to how to feed.

And no I've never heard or never asked anyone to stop to feed(oats or sweetfeed) I am assuming this is what you mean by hard feeds, maybe cut her down a bit to get her weight down or to drop her head a bit, but never just stop. Sounds strange, I never gave my stomach a rest, never gave my horses stomach a rest. And we all did just fine.

Anyway, you did the right thing taking her back and next time someone tells you something that just doesn't sit in your belly right, just throw it out in this forum and see what other horse people think about it. It always helps to hear other opinions before you act on what some tells you.

I have never heard of resting a stomach, I think that's rubbish! What were you feeding her before? If she kept her weight on with your original regime then just gradually put her back on that.

Please make any feed changes very gradually especially as the grass may start growing soon. My friend had her horse returned in poor condition and when she started to feed it up, it developed laminitus. If she is not in work I would feed good quality hay/haylage as a starting point with minimal hard feed and perhaps an all-rouns supplement.

I had the same problem I switched to a feed made by purinia and its called Ultium It's amazing! My mare was skin and bones after 2 weeks of her on this feed you can hardly see ribs any more! I feed 2 scoops in the morning 2 scoops at night just untill she gains the weight then wean her slowly to one morning and one at night. If she is sunkin in on her back give her alfalfa and for extra fat feed her some peanut hay one flake in the morning one flake at night and try not to feed her too much grass hay because it can cause the stomach to sag, (HAY BELLY) and that can cause stress to the back. And if that happends give 1 flake alfalfa 1 flake peanut morning and night

toddlers somewhat won't be able to digest cereal until they are 6 mos previous - it is purely a filler. This became into somewhat previous formed suggestion! American Acadamy of Pediatrics says no longer something yet breastmilk or formula until 6 mos. only like the nurse at right here mentioned, supply him greater bottles. toddlers do boost spurt and could be hungrier each and every so often - genuine no remember if breast or bottle fed. only adjust to shop him satisfied. Giving him cereal could desire to no longer resolve any problems. He desires the food from his milk - so supply him greater! He would not want empty energy from cereal (that's what happens while his device isn't mature adequate to digest it). Giving cereal too early can in uncommon situations reason allergy too - only wait!!! stable success and Congrats!!!

If you moved away from home or went on a trip would you stop eating certain foods?I thought not."Supremeo" is a great feed for horses that are athletic.Your mare needs to go to the vet.They will assist you with nutritional needs.Good luck

we get this a lot with horses and ponys. we would give 1 scoop chaff 1 scoop of build-up 1/2 scoop of baileys No1 3/4 scoop of speedy beet and a few carrotts. but the best thing is a lot of love and care.......if she is over 15 years old 1/2 scoop of 16+ as well make it moist so it goes down easy. she will take a while to gain weight but with good hay and grass she be fine.. good luck to you both

Don't change her diet drastically. I feed my horses good quality grass hay, and suppliment with oats with 1/2 c oil and a multivitamin, and I am constantly complimented on their beautiful coats and condition. If you aren't working the horse much, omit the oats.