Need some help fattening up a rescue horse...(a little long)

[UnttouchableRose]

Pat covered alot of it but I had to comment I would start over with a completely different feed program. I can't post pics of my OTTB rescue because Photobucket doesn't work at my work but I'll post later.

She got 10lbs of TC Senior, Hay and VERY little pasture and went from 685lbs to 1450lbs. She is massive.

It would do no good to treat for ulcers IMO if you are still feeding a hard grain such as the Purina feed you are using. Part of the problem is feeding hard grain is going to create ulcers.

Oil is a great thing to use. BOSS is even better, mor calories for the price and alot less messy.

What was this horse wormed with last?

Was he raced?

More importantly forage is going to help this horse more than anything.

 

[sred98]

He was a racing horse at one time. We believe he was also dressage trained. He longes without a lead rope and jumps trickles of streams while you are riding him. At some time, he had a lot of time and money spent on him. He is just an amazing horse. I

the giraffe neck hugs he gives! I have noticed that his stomach rumbles a lot more than the other horses and that he grunts sometimes. I need to get another vet out and have a FULL thorough checkup on him. I am wondering if he does have ulcers, that makes sense. Can you get over the counter ulcer meds for horses? I will have to check that out.

Not sure what BOSS is, but I will be sure to check into it! He is getting about 12 pounds of the mix a day. Does anybody ever order from State Line Tack? Is there a better place to order supplements from?

Thanks for all the replies!

Shelly

 

[UnttouchableRose]

First off 12lbs of that is TOO much I am sure his stomach is upset, you are actually probably causing him to not gain by feeding that much.

What feedlines to you have available to you? You could help him and save yourself alot of money with a few changes.

Also BOSS is Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. You can feed a Max of 2lbs a day but that is ALOT of seeds generally 1/2 lb is the most they will eat easily IME.

As for Supplements I HIGHLY reccomend Smart Pak. You can ordere your supplements very afforadable and have them all shipped for 6.95 instead of paying freight.

 

[Norman]

I've been feeding pelleted beet pulp for years and it is amazing for keeping weight on/increrasing weight in hard keepers. The only choke risk you have is if you are feeding it DRY. It needs to be soaked in enough water to giv it that nice fluffy consistancy.

Stomach rumbles are a good sign, means healthy digestion....no gut sounds equals internal issues.

Wormer
Teeth
Ulcers
Is he a good eater? Nervous personality? Stall walker? Lots of turnout will do wonders for an ex-racers mind.
GOOD hay 24/7
Rice bran
Beet pulp
Purina ATHLETE is a great high fat feed (14% fat, 14% protein)
Hay cubes (soaked)

Make sure you're not just feeding all this grain once a day, horses digest better in smaller amount spread out through the day.
And remember a slow steady weight gain is what your looking for, which takes months

 

[gaited horse]

this is what we used to fatting up my moms horse that just died but he gained about 3 hundred pounds in 5 months 2x a day 2 pounds of tdi senionr feed and 2 pounds of rice bran 2 flakes of grass mix per feeding. and a blanket in the winter
before
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd320/sueandkids2007/IMG_0235.jpg
after
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd320/sueandkids2007/IMG_0410.jpg

 

[ams3651]

im no expert but my grandfather used to feed our horse oats and molasses when she was skinny when we got her

just thought I would add

 

[texasreb]

I just wanted to add that it's a bit of an "old farmer's tale" that dried beet pulp causes choke. It does not have to be moistened.

Here are some articles about dry beet pulp and choke:
http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/beetpulp.shtml
http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/beetpulp.shtml
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/feeding/feed/eqbeetpulp660/

If you do suspect ulcers, stay away from sweet feeds and other concentrated feeds that contain a lot of sugar and molasses and other NSC's (non-structured carbs). NSC's have long been implicated as the cause of ulcers in equids.

The list of feeds that you have been given is a great one. I fully agree that beet pulp, rice bran, BOSS (some horses don't do well on BOSS), higher quality hay and/or alfalfa, Triple Crown ration balancers, etc are all good choices.

I wanted to add that perhaps you could also start feeding a pre and probiotic if you aren't already.

 

[halo]

It is absolutely not an "old wives tale" that pelleted beet pulp can cause serious choke. The shreds dont, and are used in all the beet pulp feeds such as Triple Crown, Berretini, and Purina. Our vet clinics have dealt with choke from pelleted beet pulp over and over and over. It is not something you want to deal with, believe me. The feed stores here have stopped carrying it because of that very reason.

 

[sred98]

Ok...just got back from the feedmill.

Here is what he just ate...

2 scoops of moistened beet pulp shreds
2 scoops senior feed
half scoop horseman's choice
2 scoops fat cat
1 scoop sweet feed
1 scoop rice bran

Will have to get the sunflower seeds when we go into town. I will add the corn oil then, too. He seemed to like it once we mixed it well. He is a very picky eater and did not like the beet shreds, even though they were molasses flavored.

Thanks for all of the advice! I will keep you posted!

Shelly

 

[kbarrett]

You've already received lots of good advise....
just wanted to add after reading your last post that when starting new/ different feeds and especially with all the supplements and extra stuff it's best to ease into them on to their new diet.
Good luck.