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Post by schwung on Jan 27, 2010 14:13:13 GMT -5
Yes, but he's most aggressive with the geldings. I turned Sinatra out next to him today and I thought he was going to go through the fence to get him. I actually am wondering if this is part of the problem - he's obsessing about the other horses and worrying the weight off. I may have to put him back in a stall (which he hated) if I can't find a horse he can tolerate next to him.
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Post by jessiegirl1981 on Jan 27, 2010 14:27:04 GMT -5
Did your vet say anything about ulcers? I know many horses with ulcers will not eat grain or will spit it out. It would make sense for him to have some if he was stressed with a recent gelding and if he is continuing to stress himself now. He might be more agressive because he is uncomfortable? I don't know what kind of hay you feed but uping alf was an easy way to see without having tests run.
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Post by fanaberia on Jan 27, 2010 15:14:06 GMT -5
I highly doubt it's an ulcer that is causing his behavior. I think that the recently gelded theory is more dead on.
That said, it's normal for stallions to display this kind of behavior towards other males. Sometimes it can be eliminated if you make sure there are no mares around to "protect".
My stallion has and can be easily turned out with geldings. He loves on them, plays with them... but if there is a mare in the mix, things quickly change.
As to the weight loss (or lack of gain) I wouldn't be surprised if stress was a factor. For appetite, I've had really good luck when putting horses on Millenium Gold; it seems to increase their desire to eat. Cobalt blue salt blocks are suppose to have the same effect, and they are cheap.
But really, I think a large amount of it will be finding the perfect location for him, where he doesn't feel the need to "protect" anyone.
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Post by schwung on Jan 27, 2010 16:30:43 GMT -5
Results on the bloodwork, I am getting her back ASAP to do the additional test mentioned:
On the CBC he has a mild lymphopenia which could be from stress or a viral infection and a mild anemia which is most likely from chronic inflammation. Overall that portion of the blood work looks ok. What I am concerned about the most is the elevated liver enzymes (GGT and SDH) on the chemistry screen. I would recommend adding on another test that will better tell us about his liver function, bile acids, that would be an extra $32. If the bile acids are elevated, we will know for sure that something is going on with Baxter’s liver.
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Post by jaybird on Jan 27, 2010 17:12:28 GMT -5
oh dear. hang in there, Bax.
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Post by fototropic on Jan 27, 2010 19:40:06 GMT -5
About the charging the fence with teeth bared, my gelding does exactly the same thing and he's been gelded for years and years and years. He just thinks he's a band stallion. He is the ruler of his little herd, a TB mare and 2 pony geldings. He tolerates the ponies. I think he even sees himself as the protector of the blind pony in some ways. The other pony is a cheeky little guy who adores Storm, following him around like a puppy dog; just a little gansta wanna be. It did take time, however, to get him back in with Storm when he came home from the stable. It took a full month. At first Storm will run at the fence, ears pinned and mouth wide open to bite, sliding to a stop and snapping his teeth over the fence. He will do it over and over and over. He did it once for about 2 hours. The pony just ate hay and watched him. After about a month Storm had gotten over it and he let Pokemon back in the pasture. I would keep the ponies separate from Storm and Lilly, but they will actually go through the fence to get back in with their fearless leader. I would not even attempt to bring another horse gelding on the property, because someone would get hurt. It is just the way he is at the ripe old age of 24. He bosses the mare around but is with her all the time and will share a hay pile with her.
I do hope that his liver results come back okay. We (Storm and I) are jingling for him. Pam
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Post by schwung on Jan 28, 2010 15:08:15 GMT -5
So the liver test came back normal, so that's a relief, but we still don't have a cause for the lack of weight gain. We are going to redo his bloodwork in a month but for now I am just trying to find some type of concentrate that he will eat - this morning I just gave him Senior - no alfalfa pellets, rice bran, or Cool Calories. I've already cut out the beet pulp and oil and he was still not eating it. He wasn't this picky when he first came to us, he's definitely gotten worse over time. Since he does eat hay I may put him on more alfalfa and see if that helps.
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Post by jennywho on Jan 28, 2010 17:18:03 GMT -5
my newest amazing weight gain feed - Omolene 400. It has done wonders for my hardest keeper.
Plus my old mare - Miss I have eaten strategy and equine senior for 15 years and I will eat nothing else, accidentally got fed 400 instead of senior one night and now won't eat her senior - she only wants 400.
Basically it's shredded beet pulp, amplify and oils - none of which Fil (old mare) will eat seperately. I do feed it wet.
It might be worth trying - it's relatively inexpensive at around $13 bag.
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Post by mymercedes on Jan 28, 2010 20:17:16 GMT -5
There are several versions of LMF that are excellent at putting weight on a thin horse. I used to sell LMF and worked with the brother of the developer. If you want some info, PM me!
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Post by schwung on Jan 28, 2010 20:26:44 GMT -5
Well the issue is really getting him to eat it. I don't think anyone sells Omolene around here either.
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Post by winterlakesfarm on Jan 29, 2010 18:36:37 GMT -5
Any feed store that sells Purina products can order the Omolene for you. They can order it by the bag so if you want to try it just call your feed store. But it sounds like you might have to find a "boys only" foster home and see how that goes.
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Post by schwung on Jan 29, 2010 18:39:59 GMT -5
Teeth need to be done but they aren't the cause of the problem. So far, he is eating the Senior that isn't laced with anything else better. I never understand how horses love alfalfa but can hate alfalfa pellets. Oh well! Anyway, even though he is picky he is still eating enough that he should be gaining, but it may take him longer to get there. I'll try to get some updated photos this weekend.
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Post by drsgjunky on Jan 30, 2010 11:26:21 GMT -5
OT slightly..
I'm thinking about a supplement for my horse now that he's reached is senior years (25-April). His teeth are reaching that stage where I will soon need to supplement something in addition to his hay. Equine Senior has been recommended. The only problem I have with it is the price. Is there an equivalent (palatable brand) at a better price?
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Post by schwung on Jan 30, 2010 12:39:43 GMT -5
I feed Cadence also, but I use Senior for the horses that are in compromised condition because it is easier to digest. I then supplement with rice bran pellets (which is what gives Cadence the extra fat). But Cadence is a great feed and most of the horses at my place are on it.
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Post by schwung on Feb 7, 2010 0:23:04 GMT -5
I am really thrilled to report that at Baxter's weighing in today he has finally showed significant weight gain, up to 900 lbs. on the weight tape and he looks so much better! The huge gap between his butt cheeks is down to less than an inch now (instead of like 3-4 inches like it was) and he has lost that shelf above his ribs and is getting some topline back now. He feels good too, as you can see in the photos I posted to our facebook page! www.facebook.com/pages/Save-A-Forgotten-Equine-SAFE/389354740261#!/photo.php?pid=10852835&id=389354740261
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