My horse loosing weight, how do I put it back on? ******UPDATE********

[Varisha]

Well going to add my 2cents

Everyone has given you great advise so I'm only going to add in that any change to feeding needs to be done gradualy. If you are feeding only one flake of hay a feeding don't jump straight to 6 or 7

Increase one extra flake for a few days before increasing yet anouther. I also know of a great horse forum that is good with new horse people and will give you a lot of help. If you have pictures (side, front and back shots) some of the people on that forum are good at grading the horses weight.

 

[bluerose]

I was NOT trying to be inflammatory- just concerned. 600lbs seems too 'light' for a 14h guy to me, no matter the age... growing babies (ie yearlings) excepted.

Interesting... no, my guys are not obese (one mare was, but was then dx'd cushings, she's a tad heavy still but is losing on Pergo/Quiessence). I know obesity is a problem... we also have one who's a hard keeper, so I do know the difference. My 'pony' who's 14.1 is probably around 950 right now, the Cushing's mare who is same size is a little heavier in build so is a little more, but the hard keeper gelding- who's 15.1ish and has logs for legs- is probably around the same weight... they're out together so we can't keep his face full of hay unfortunately, and he's a picky eater to boot.



For what it's worth, I know someone with a TB gelding who is maintaining weight on (w/ pinch of salt, she can exaggerate things) free-choice timothy and a muck bucket full of soaked BP, hay pellets, and Ultium I believe- I know it's mostly unmollassed BP- daily.

 

[FLchook]

Thanks to all of your guys information, we have seen tremendous changes in only 2 weeks!!

We got her a new de-wormer, added a flat of hay in the morning, and changed to feeding them 2 smaller meals instead of the 1 in the evening. We also have been giving a small handful of beet pulp once a day for alittle extra. Alot of the people around here add it during the winter, but cautioned not to give too much.

In 2 weeks we are already seeing a difference in her appearance. Still have a ways to go, but we dont want it to come back too quickly. Im just happy to be seeing something already!

Thanks again,
Shannon

 

[Wildsky]

Glad to hear things are going ahead smoothly - I am trying to get weight on my horse for winter - she's not skinny but heck its kinda hard to make a horse put on a few pounds!

 

[CarriBrown]

That's great! I'm glad the mare is gaining weight.

 

[verthandi]

Great news Shannon, I had been wondering how she was doing. Thanks for an update.