Rescue horses, wont gain weight, suggestions?

Ulcers. Both of 'em.

Pour as many calories as you wish into these critters. It'll go straight through them if they've got ulcers.

Vet. Now please.

I agree with what most are saying, definitely have a vet check for ulcers.

If ulcers are not the problem, I would try Purina Ultium for grain. I too work with rescue horses and the majority of mine are fed this. You can also even try a senior feed. Sweet feed is very sugar based and isn't ideal for weight gain.

Some additional ideas are beet pulp, rice bran... and cool calories supplement has worked for my horses as well. I would definitely check with a vet on ulcers first though, before spending money on additional feed/supplements. Hope everything works out!

You can be about 100% sure these horses have ulcers. The stress you describe is a guarantee. You can take the vet's advice but I would give them really good probiotics (FastTrack) starting with the syringe concentrate that gives 2 units per day for 5 days and then follow with daily supplementation for at least 10 lbs. of supplement per horse. All must be refrigerated and the supplement comes in 5 lb bags and works great. Have used it on many OTTB that I have re-started. They are all ulcer prone so there is not even any hesitation about it. It is a given for horses like this. (To check for ulcers, the horses have to be scoped. Personally, I wouldn't bother. I would just give the supplement just from what my experiences have been, but that is just me.)

Sweet feed is garbage feed and is not good or any horse but especially not one struggling to survive. These horses need good quality feed and more than one scoop, however much that is. Feed is determined by weight of feed and weight or desired weight of the horse. I would be giving these guys at least 50 pounds each per week and that would be a minimum (with my scoop that is 4 heaping per day/2meals but you may want to go to 3 meals per day with these guys). They are burners, then you have the stress to deal with and the other factors. I would try to create a calmer, quieter atmosphere for meal time and have them sequestered safely in their own space for a lengthy period so they can feel safe and relaxed to eat. This is especially important since they have had to fight for food, and unsuccessfully for the most part. I am not sure about Magic Cell but if it is like Red Cell, I would not give it unless there is a diagnosed iron deficiency which is almost 100% impossible in a horse and horses should never receive supplemental iron. Just stay in contact with the vet and take his advice on bringing these guys back slowly (incrementally increase the feed material. I hate corn oil and would never give it to my horses. If you have to give oil for calories, canola is the best choice.)

It is great that someone is trying to help these horses. God bless them and you for your efforts. Hope they come around. From what you have described, it will take time and patience and lots of help. There is a huge task in front of you.

I think everyone else that has answered has had very valid points. I know you said they had their teeth floated but I have had experience with horses incisor teeth being too long. When this happens the top and bottom front teeth connect but back teeth can not chew and grind the food so they can not digest it or swallow it for that matter. We had to have an equine dentist come out to fix the problem but it is defiantly worth looking into if other methods of weight gain aren't working. If their teeth are the problem, getting that fixed will remedy so many things, digestion being the big one. Then weight gain and condition comes back because of good digestion.

The new environment puts stress on a horse and will cause them to lose weight at first. Check the fat and protein content on the sweet feed. Find a grain that is low in protein and high in fat. Purina ultium has a high fat content. Check with your feed store to see what type of grain they have availabe. You can feed a cup of corn oil per feeding. If he is herd bound and won't eat by himself maybe you could feed him with a horse that you could tie next to him. This might help with the separation anxiety issue. Just be patient it will work out.

As long as there are no other factors presenting it (cushings, etc.), I would up the protein percentage in the feed they are receiving (i.ie. most sweet mixes are around 10-12%). Soaking feed to oatmeal-like consistency is beneficial for finicky eaters as well, and ensures that they're eating more feed than dropping if that's an issue.

Corn oil added to feed (up to 1 cup per day otherwise you run the risk of runny stool) adds lots of calories without a "hot" factor as well.

Other than checking for ulcers, I would change their diet. Sweet feed has little nutritional value for horses. Its like the equivalent of feeding kids cookies. It will keep them alive, but it won't have them feeling their best.

Work with a nutritionist (not anyone from TSC or another run of the mill feed store, but a real nutritionist) to develop a feeding program specific to their physical needs.

I would try beet pulp, but NEVER EVER feed it dry. Most horses can't resist it. There's also a grain by Purina that is supposed to help put on weight. Your local TSC should be able to help you find it. I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head, but I believe its in a blue bag. When I rescued my Welsh Cob x Hackney, she was underweight as well. I had multiple people suggest Calf Manna.

You might want to try Fast Track. It's a probiotic (sp?) that helps horses absorb more of the nutrients from their feed and hay. We had a horse that needed to gain weight, even though he was not in an abusive situation, just a little thin. He came along right nicely on Fast Track.

Paso Fino Rescue

Some horses just don't like the taste of oils or additives in their feed. I've found that with the picky ones, peanut oil, or even peanut butter will help hide the taste and they'll eat more. Push calories till you see an improvement in weight, them balance the feed back so they build muscle with the fat.