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Post by cat67 on Jul 10, 2006 19:49:34 GMT -5
Padu is a horse I rescued in summer 2003. I went out to look at him to lease, and he was so skinny that I leased him just so that I could feed him.  I eventually bought him, moved him to a better barn, and got him looking like this (took 10 months):  Unfortunately, his legs weren't up to hard work, so I donated him to a therapeutic riding program in summer 2004. I visit him every four months or so, and I never let them know I'm coming, I just pop by (it's at a boarding barn, so I can do that). I showed up yesterday and he was (a) good weight (b) feet were perfect, freshly shod with pads (c) wearing his fly mask that I donated with him (d) shiny and (e) eating nice-looking hay.  This horse is a windsucker and very hard to keep at a good weight in summer (he gets hot, the flies bug him, he swishes his tail and drops 50 lbs.) so they really are doing a good job. There are some good homes out there for those "light duty only" horses...you just have to do your research! |
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Post by safehorses on Jul 10, 2006 20:17:12 GMT -5
Wow Cat...he looks great!!! That must be a great feeling, dropping in and seeing that he's just fine.
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Post by jennywho on Jul 10, 2006 23:03:16 GMT -5
He looks awesome. Just goes to show there is NO EXCUSE for a skinny horse. No matter what their porblems if you feed them right they can maintain a healthy weight. Awesome job finding him that perfect home.
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Post by foxyfrosty on Jul 10, 2006 23:41:39 GMT -5
Very nice job with him!  |
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Post by schwung on Jul 10, 2006 23:58:37 GMT -5
He looks just great, that has to feel good to see his glowing healthy coat!
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Post by cat67 on Jul 11, 2006 1:39:25 GMT -5
Yes, his former owner had him in this huge field with 50 horses getting crappy hay twice a day. She had 2 little air fern Arabians there too and couldn't figure out why they looked fine but the 20 year old Thoroughbred was skinny so she assumed "that was just how he was." People are just...clueless.
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Post by cardicorgi on Jul 11, 2006 11:20:44 GMT -5
He looks fabulous! Sometimes I think all TBs should come with owner's manuals so people will know how to feed properly....
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Post by asmo on Jul 11, 2006 11:46:21 GMT -5
My TB's a little on the thinner side, not skin and bones, but not fleshy, he needs to gain probably around 50+ more pounds and I dont have anything but free range Blue grass hay (filler) and then alfalfa in the am and pm. Plus he gets "Safe Choice" grain and horse gaurd, selenium salt and tnt dynomite supplement for his kidneys. (he is an ex racehorse with a past history of kidney problems). I feel bad that you can see the upper have of his ribs when he walks (so more along his back), but I dont know what else I can give him without going broke. He gets 2 flakes am and pm (sorry forgot to say that). the hay is GOOD quality hay. any suggestions?
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Post by cat67 on Jul 11, 2006 12:10:38 GMT -5
2 things I have had really good results with are Weight Builder supplement from Farnam and daily wormer like Strongid C. Also, especially with an OTTB, try giving him a course of a probiotic...a lot of times they have ulcers and other digestive issues and just aren't utilizing their feed well...one container worth of Probios and it gets them back on track.
Padu got Weight Builder, Strongid C, Probios, Psyllium, and Biotin to put the weight on. The Probios greatly reduced the windsucking (they do it because their stomach hurts) and he needed the Biotin because his hooves were terrible.
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Post by foxyfrosty on Jul 11, 2006 12:25:33 GMT -5
I love beet pulp!  Also you might get his teeth checked by a equine dentist. I can recommend a great one. It was cheaper for them to do my mares teeth than my personal vet, and they were excellent. |
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Post by cardicorgi on Jul 11, 2006 12:35:42 GMT -5
Second the beet pulp too - it can really help put and keep weight on, it's cheap, and easy.
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Post by schwung on Jul 11, 2006 12:53:59 GMT -5
If you don't like soaking the beet pulp (I just dont' have time to do that), another way to add fat is rice bran. I feed the pellets (Vita-bran) which also include vitamins and can be eaten straight without soaking. I then add Cool Calories on top of that, which is pure vegetable fat in a palatable powder.
That said, I could not get Vanna's ribs covered or fat along her topline for anything this winter (old broodmare, has had many babies). I started giving her 1/2 alfalfa and 1/2 grass hay instead of straight grass and all of a sudden the weight started coming on. I'm usually an advocate of quality free-choice grass hay over alfalfa, but in this case it is doing the trick with her - of course on top of all the above (+3 lbs of high-fat grain 2 times a day).
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Post by Just Jolene on Jul 11, 2006 13:56:49 GMT -5
We also have used rice bran for our TBs with good results, and it is very affordable. You can start out with just a cup AM and PM. To help with coats and for a little calorie boost, we also will cover grain with app. 1/2 cup to a cup Mazola corn oil (Costco size is handy).
Hope you'll let us know what route you take!
MODIFIED TO ADD: that in addition to Alfalfa, free choice grass hay, and sweet feed.
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Post by pdevlieg on Jul 11, 2006 15:24:49 GMT -5
I second the Cool Calories and rice bran. I really like using the LMF Prime Time - it has really worked to put weight on and keep it on Azalea. In addition, I add Flax Seed to help add fat, fiber and assist with digestion in the form of Omega Horseshine.
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Also you might get his teeth checked by a equine dentist. I can recommend a great one. It was cheaper for them to do my mares teeth than my personal vet, and they were excellent.
