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 Twister Survivor
Posts: 1270
  
Location: Minnesota | I recently bought an OTQH that was pitifully thin when I went to look at him. She said she had issues with her feed supplier so he had just been on pasture (and it showed). Very ribby and a horribly bony topline/hips. He is super sweet, but the second I turned him out when I got him he started windsucking  . So first step I bought a cribbing collar, which helps but doesn't stop him completely. He is on about 14 lbs/day of ADM SeniorGlo as well as a probiotic supplement and a joint supplement. We recently put out roundbales w/ nets and put up slow feed hay nets in the stalls. He sucks worse in the stall, so were hoping the nets help. My question .. is there more that I should be adding? He seems to be gaining a little..but not as much as Id like. His teeth are in great shape and vet was not concerned w/ ulcers..any one have tips? |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
  
Location: Phoenix | My horse really bloomed on alfalfa (grass hay was given as well) and 1lb. Renew Gold. He was very poor from being in the cold, winter weather with basic feed.
Edited by hammer_time 2015-09-24 9:15 PM
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | If he cribs I would check and or treat for ulcers, some vets really blow them off. The cribbing and being off the track make me think he would have to have them. ADM is the company responsible for killing several horses due to medicated cattle feed contaminating the horse feed. I would nix that company asap. They never owned up to it. Also 14 lbs of any grain is quite a bit really. I did feed ADM before the issues and love it, but my dealer said 4lbs a day TOPS. I would feed a good hay, if you can keep him on your round bales all day that would be perfect. I highly suggest THE supplements. They have one of the more affordable ulcer supplement and Muscle Mass is great to fill them back in and get them looking great. Money back guarantees on both. |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | ADM almost killed a good friend of mines top eventers thanks to their carelessness
there is a thread on here about it all
Id find a good sr feed with HIGH FAT in it. and also soaked beet pulp or alfalfa cubes ..
Cool Calories has put weight on my mare with cushings
If Horse can eat hay Id not feed so much grain.. he may develop Laminitis if he hasnt had grain prior.
6 lbs is total per feeding
Ultuim, Purina active sr, etc.. has higher fat and good feed. people seem to be happy with it.. Triple Crown Sr I loved and high fat but it to uses monosin facilities in certain areas.
Good quality hay is your best bet.. and then some High fat grain.
but Id not feed as much grain. Id add beet pulp or cubes or fats to it instead. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | I feed soaked alfalfa cubes and beet pulp, and I was feeding ultium at the time before I switched which helped put weight on my gelding tremendously!!! |
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 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Alfalfa, whole oats once daily, and Cur-OST Total Support and Adapt & Calm would be my suggestion, and I will guarantee you'll have a different horse in 30 days....heck, in 2 weeks probably. |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Alfalfa and rice bran are my go-to's for weight. I am picking up an OTTB Sunday that needs some groceries so I'll be in the same boat as you. I'm going to put him on Total Equine for feed and add some chaffhaye with the Alf and rice bran.
Edited by Fairweather 2015-09-25 9:21 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Cheapest and IMO best method....
1. condition his gut health first by probiotic such as probios, forco, succeed, or whatever digest/ulcer supplement you want or just treat with omeprazole.
2. alfalfa hay 24/7 if you can afford that most can't...i can't so grass hay 24/7 available
3. i like whole oats if you feed commercial thats fine add beet pulp and alfalfa pellets to it
4. fat supplementation of some kind - my fav is flax b/c i like its omega ratio and what it does for the hair coat and hoof growth but rice bran is a great fat supp too. Oils are good but again i'd stir away from anything with corn oil especially for one OTT.
Start slow with small amounts of each and work up. Beet pulp and alfalfa pellets (forage first thinking) helps put the weight on one better than anything! Most ppl will say fat supplements etc but for gut health I like forage based first myself. |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | I would pull some blood and check on his liver and kidney function for starters just so you know what you are dealing with. The seller apparently left out the fact the horse was a cribber and having trouble with a feed supplier just doesn't sound right to me, you can get feed anywhere if you put just a tiny bit of effort in to it. Some of the crap given to horses on the track will burn them up in no time flat or you could be dealing with a horse that was fed contaminated feed. Either way, you need to know what you are dealing with and it could be considerably more complicated than just putting weight back on.
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 pressure dripper
Posts: 8696
Location: the end of the rainbow | if it were me I wouldnt spend the money checking for ulcers I would just get him on omeprazole asap. I've had a lot of good luck with Renew Gold and I'm pretty pleased with the cost to benefit ratio. And last but definitely not least alfalfa is always a great weight builder. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | This is what I do. Good alfalfa. Free fed grass. And a mash of soaked beet pulp, rice bran, and THE MM. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I second the treating for ulcers. I treat for 30 days with omeprazole, then I add a probiotic.
I also try and go more simple foods when it comes to grain. I mix barley (soaked) (start with one pound), oats (start with one pound)(whole), flax (start with 1/2 cup increase to a cup)I mix that in with canola oil (gradually increase to a cup/feeding), red cell (gradual increase to proper dosage), and to ensure they eat it papaya puréed, or pineapple juice.
For hay, I give grass hay 24/7 as I am scared of the protein content in alfalfa.
Also when have his teeth been done, and have you done a fecal count |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | My OTQH was MEGA pathetic when I first got him. He is now GORGEOUS and slick.
1. Treat for ulcers - pricey, but so worth it. It is better to treat for ulcers than render all your feed useless because you didn't
2. Alfalfa
3. Renew Gold
4. THE Muscle Mass.
My gelding is on pasture 24/7 as much as the weather will allow, he has 25 acres to graze with one buddy to his little heart is content. He gets two large flake of alfalfa morning and night, plus 2 lbs of Renew Gold per day, with THE MM as a top dress. This put his weight on, and it has maintained it. I feel very confident that he is the heaviest, healthiest, fittest that he is ever going to be - and my vets agree. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | cheryl makofka - 2015-09-25 4:07 PM I second the treating for ulcers. I treat for 30 days with omeprazole, then I add a probiotic. I also try and go more simple foods when it comes to grain. I mix barley (soaked) (start with one pound), oats (start with one pound)(whole), flax (start with 1/2 cup increase to a cup)I mix that in with canola oil (gradually increase to a cup/feeding), red cell (gradual increase to proper dosage), and to ensure they eat it papaya puréed, or pineapple juice. For hay, I give grass hay 24/7 as I am scared of the protein content in alfalfa. Also when have his teeth been done, and have you done a fecal count
This is a common concern for a lot of people. I think it is very much an old wives tale. Perhaps think about it this way.... everyone agrees that good quality pasture grass is one of the best things a horse can eat. Right?
Alfalfa on average is 15-20% protein
Really good grass pasture can be up to around 30% protein
Not asking you to change your mind, but maybe this helps bring context to the real protein myth of alfalfa. Horses with negative response to high protein diets are really much more rare than many people realize.
Edited by Tdove 2015-09-25 4:24 PM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Tdove - 2015-09-25 4:22 PM
cheryl makofka - 2015-09-25 4:07 PM I second the treating for ulcers. I treat for 30 days with omeprazole, then I add a probiotic. I also try and go more simple foods when it comes to grain. I mix barley (soaked) (start with one pound), oats (start with one pound)(whole), flax (start with 1/2 cup increase to a cup)I mix that in with canola oil (gradually increase to a cup/feeding), red cell (gradual increase to proper dosage), and to ensure they eat it papaya puréed, or pineapple juice. For hay, I give grass hay 24/7 as I am scared of the protein content in alfalfa. Also when have his teeth been done, and have you done a fecal count
This is a common concern for a lot of people. I think it is very much an old wives tale. Perhaps think about it this way.... everyone agrees that good quality pasture grass is one of the best things a horse can eat. Right? Alfalfa on average is 15-20% protein Really good grass pasture can be up to around 30% protein Not asking you to change your mind, but maybe this helps bring context to the real protein myth of alfalfa. Horses with negative response to high protein diets are really much more rare than many people realize.
My aunt had three horses develop kidney stones as they were on strictly alfalfa.
All three needed surgery, and if she wasn't so diligent with her horses two would have died as the stone obstructed the urethra so they couldn't urinate.
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I like the simple-ness of my current program. When my horse arrived here, he was poor, and skinny and lacking in body tone. This is about a 6 month difference.
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Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | I don't feed straight alfalfa but I I add to the grass hay they're getting. The protein content in the Alf cubes & the Chaffhaye they're getting is only 9-12%. |
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Twister Survivor
Posts: 1270
Location: Minnesota | Thank you guys for all your help! :) he was built up slowly on feed but I thought that was a ton too. I should've been more thorough in my post. The first thing I did was treat for ulcers and he is now on a probiotic. The rounds available while he's turned out seem to be helping a lot with his cribbing outside. Our hay outside is about 70/30 grass alfalfa mix and they get mostly alfalfa overnight inside (small squares). I'm hesitant to add beet pulp only because I've heard such mixed reviews. Would you still recommend a senior feed? Just not ADM? I'm not sure what is commonly fed on the track. Also I got him from a girl that lived in desolate country so it maybe wasn't convenient to find grain? I'm not sure but I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. She had him 6ish months and I just couldn't leave him. I'll see if I can get pictures up from 1month ago vs today |
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Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | aquinnell - 2015-09-29 8:19 PM Thank you guys for all your help! :) he was built up slowly on feed but I thought that was a ton too. I should've been more thorough in my post. The first thing I did was treat for ulcers and he is now on a probiotic. The rounds available while he's turned out seem to be helping a lot with his cribbing outside. Our hay outside is about 70/30 grass alfalfa mix and they get mostly alfalfa overnight inside (small squares). I'm hesitant to add beet pulp only because I've heard such mixed reviews. Would you still recommend a senior feed? Just not ADM? I'm not sure what is commonly fed on the track. Also I got him from a girl that lived in desolate country so it maybe wasn't convenient to find grain? I'm not sure but I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. She had him 6ish months and I just couldn't leave him. I'll see if I can get pictures up from 1month ago vs today
I just love beet pellets. Only use the mollassas free ones. I highly recommend the Purina Active Senior. Started 2 of my horses on it and they love it and look great. I am not having to feed a ton if it either. |
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Twister Survivor
Posts: 1270
Location: Minnesota | Thinking of going with purina ultim..or renew gold. Any opinions between the2? I can't get my pictures to work ?? |
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Twister Survivor
Posts: 1270
Location: Minnesota | Do you have to do anything with beet pellets? Do most feed stores carry them |
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Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | aquinnell - 2015-09-29 8:31 PM Do you have to do anything with beet pellets? Do most feed stores carry them
Most all of them carry them and I soak them in water. The Purina Active Senior has tiny shreds all throughout the feed though and Amplify nuggets for higher fat. If you didn't want to mess with soaking, you could try the feed alone. |
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Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | aquinnell - 2015-09-29 8:25 PM Thinking of going with purina ultim..or renew gold. Any opinions between the2? I can't get my pictures to work ??
Renew Gold is a popular feed, seems good but I know there are a few on here that couldn't get weight on their horses. Ultium made my horse a raving nut. Very hyper. |
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| Until you get his cribbing under control with some type of collar or muzzle ... you are not going to be able to keep him in good condition regardless how much or what you feed him ...
I would feed him whole oats, a scoop of sweet feed for the corn; block of alfalfa with hay for 2 hours at each feeding and if possible 3 feedings a day with a handful of ADM GroStrong minerals every other day .... other wise he would have a muzzle on in a dry lot since you have not found a collar to work ...
Most on the track horses are fed 3 times a day with hay in front of them at all times and treated like royalty on a specific time schedule. When an owner tosses one out they have no idea what to do and the loss of a good feeding program will turn them into skeletons in no time ...
This cheap aluminum cribbing collar is the most common ... keep in mind a cribbing collar is not to choke the horse but to strap it on tight enough to keep them from bowing the muscles behind their poll to be uncomfortable when they do it ... The expensive cribbing halters have leather throat latch pieces that don't last long since the block of leather collapses // pliable and will stretch and release the tension on the strap at the poll ...
https://www.horseloverz.com/product/other/292879-tough-1-aluminum-hi...
Also keep in mind ... other horses are monkey see monkey do ... I have seen entire barns turn into a bunch of gasping termites after a cribber was moved in to the barn ..
A lot of boarding barns refuse to accept cribbers ..
Personally ... if I ever had a cribber I would sell it at a cutrate price to my worst enemy ... lol ..
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2015-09-29 10:09 PM
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | wyoming barrel racer - 2015-09-29 9:23 PM
aquinnell - 2015-09-29 8:19 PM Thank you guys for all your help! :) he was built up slowly on feed but I thought that was a ton too. I should've been more thorough in my post. The first thing I did was treat for ulcers and he is now on a probiotic. The rounds available while he's turned out seem to be helping a lot with his cribbing outside. Our hay outside is about 70/30 grass alfalfa mix and they get mostly alfalfa overnight inside (small squares). I'm hesitant to add beet pulp only because I've heard such mixed reviews. Would you still recommend a senior feed? Just not ADM? I'm not sure what is commonly fed on the track. Also I got him from a girl that lived in desolate country so it maybe wasn't convenient to find grain? I'm not sure but I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. She had him 6ish months and I just couldn't leave him. I'll see if I can get pictures up from 1month ago vs today
I just love beet pellets. Only use the mollassas free ones. I highly recommend the Purina Active Senior. Started 2 of my horses on it and they love it and look great. I am not having to feed a ton if it either.
Totally agree with WBR---love beets and Purina Sr Active!!! |
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