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Posts: 4
From:chattanooga, tn
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-28-2004 04:33 AM         

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I realy need to gain wait on my horse,he is geting alot better but he is still thin!would someone help me!

[This message has been edited by moms_rat (edited 01-28-2004).]

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Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-28-2004 05:37 AM         

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What are you feeding? Age? breed? living area? Accesses? ect...

Please feel free to email me with any questions you don't feel comfortable posting here...Pictures would also help me better understand your situation...Mare-majic@excite.com

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Posts: 4
From:chattanooga, tn
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-28-2004 06:23 PM         

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i feed him sweetfeed,hes 5 or 6 and he lives in a big feild.he is gaining wait but he as lived in the field for four mouths now but he is still thin!

[This message has been edited by moms_rat (edited 01-29-2004).]

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Posts: 790
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 01-29-2004 04:31 AM         

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Hi How under weight is he?
Does he wear a rug When he is in the field why i ask this is because and underweight horse cannot regulate there body heat properly due to not have the fat and muscle of a full weighted horse.

Under weight horses that are put out during the day should be wearing a rug either that or kept stabled with a rug on and waked daily.

Has yoyr horse wormed regularly?

mike

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Posts: 47
From:Oakton, VA USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-29-2004 06:34 AM         

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I would switch his feed (gradually, of course) to a high fat grain, and add corn oil, or a weight builder supplament. Also, make sure he's wormed regularly. I fully agree with what Mike posted.
My new mare came to me very underweight just over a month ago, and (supposedly) had been fed 8 quarts of sweet feed a day (which I'm assuming her porky field mate ate most of) I switched her to 3 1/2 quarts twice a day of high fat grain with corn oil, and she put on over 80 lbs in a month. Her attitude has also greatly improved since. I also blanketed her and wormed her (which she wasn't used to) so every little bit helps.
having your horse in a regular work program (even if it's just lunging/round pen work 30 min a day) can help too.

[This message has been edited by Berriano (edited 01-29-2004).]

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Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-30-2004 05:20 AM         

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HOw often is he worked? again what and how often are you worming. Its safe for him to be gaining weight slowly, you do not want to pile on the pounds all at once...this can cause some serious health risks.

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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-31-2004 03:20 PM         

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Pictures would be great. Our approach has been along the same lines as posted above, but it really depends on many factors. The first question would be why is he thin? how did he get that way? We have an elderly horse that loses every winter, usually along his topline. We add corn oil to his grain, make sure he is warm enough, keep him wormed on a schedule and make sure his teeth are in good shape. My 6 year old paint mare will not wear a blanket for anything...so I make sure when I turn her out that she has plenty of local grass hay available (this fuel is utilized by her body to keep warm)and I make sure if it has rained and she is wet that the temps aren't too low and that she has a chance to come in a dry off completely before going back out. I didn't note where you are from, but if it is very cold your horse will burn up calories fast trying to keep warm. The way I understand it, hay is a better choice when trying to provide a fuel for your horse to keep warm on. Grain goes fast.

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