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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
  
Location: In The Snow, AZ | Thank you everyone who replied! Usually when we pick up a horse, we worm, have teeth checked/floated, and treat for ulcers. For some reason, ulcers slipped my mind on this gelding. I hauled him to a small race this past weekend to get some exposure and arena time. I spoke with the assistant of one of the best vets in Northern AZ. Had her look him over. Double checked his teeth. Went over symptoms and his feed regimen, and we decided to treat with 30 days of Omeprazole. She happened to have it on hand, so I was able to start Sticker on it yesterday. Hoping this will be the answer to our problem.
Also really interested in finding out more about the feed recommendations for afterwards. I appreciate all the information and will update after the 30 days is up. |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
 
Location: Willows, CA | First, you did not mention his age. If under five, growth may be a factor. I think your ulcer plan is a good one. This horse is getting plenty of calories in a fairly balanced diet. I always suspect teeth first, but you seem to have that under control. The statement about beet pulp just being a filler with no nutritional value is not correct. While I am not a fan of beet pulp in most situations, it compares favorably with a lot of horse hays at 1000Kcal per pound and 7% protein and 12% NSC and is an easily digestible fiber source. At the amount that you are feeding it should not be any kind of disruption, so I am pretty neutral on that. The system is clearly not properly functioning. I would consider a pre biotic like FORCO in addition to your ulcer treatment. Good luck.
Edited by winwillows 2017-11-15 4:50 PM
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | winwillows - 2017-11-15 2:44 PM
First, you did not mention his age. If under five, growth may be a factor. I think your ulcer plan is a good one. This horse is getting plenty of calories in a fairly balanced diet. I always suspect teeth first, but you seem to have that under control. The statement about beet pulp just being a filler with no nutritional value is not correct. While I am not a fan of beet pulp in most situations, it compares favorably with a lot of horse hays at 1000Kcal per pound and 7% protein and 12% NSC and is an easily digestible fiber source. At the amount that you are feeding it should not be any kind of disruption, so I am pretty neutral on that. The system is clearly not properly functioning. I would consider a pre biotic like FORCO in addition to your ulcer treatment. Good luck.
Thank you! He is a 10 year old. So growth isn’t a factor! I will talk to hubby about adding Forco. I’ve heard wonderful things about it. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | While there are a lot of outliers to everything. Weight issues are hardly ever teeth or worms, when a high quality feed program is involved. It's important for good health but hardly ever the sole or main reason for significant issues.
I do not like beet pulp. Nutrition is so much more than calories. Beet pulp has little nutrition. There is nothing beet pulp can do that alfalfa can't do better.
I also am not a fan of probiotics but in some cases they might help when fed temporarily.
Edited by Tdove 2017-11-15 8:55 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | Tdove - 2017-11-15 8:36 PM
While there are a lot of outliers to everything. Weight issues are hardly ever teeth or worms, when a high quality feed program is involved. It's important for good health but hardly ever the sole or main reason for significant issues.
I do not like beet pulp. Nutrition is so much more than calories. Beet pulp has little nutrition. There is nothing beet pulp can do that alfalfa can't do better.
I also am not a fan of probiotics but in some cases they might help when fed temporarily.
Wow, did you miss my points entirely. While I agree that I prefer alfalfa to beet pulp, it can have it's place in some diets, and is likely not the issue in this diet. As to teeth, this is the most common cause of failure to thrive in horses that are eating a forage based diet like this as that forage is poorly digested if not comfortably chewed, and a lot of the forage nutrition ends up on the ground behind the horse. Your statement that this is not a common cause of failure to thrive is one of the examples of why so many horse owners miss it. Last, FORCO, which I have no financial interest in, is a prebiotic, not a probiotic. |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | Well, luckily I’m not feeding beet pulp for its nutritional value as much as for the water content I can get into my horses. And as mentioned, I don’t feed enough to really matter. I’m a worry wart when It comes to water intake, and love that I can get that extra bit into their bodies. I feel like he’s getting plenty of quality alfalfa, and since that isn’t helping with body condition, I’m ready to look elsewhere; ulcers, other gut issues, etc. So I’m thankful for all the suggestions. I have made it known before that I don’t and won’t run to the vet with every little issue. Granted, I do understand why people would. I don’t feel our local vets are competent and they charge an astronomical fee just to take a heart rate and listen thru the stethoscope. It’s easier, and usually cheaper, for us to just knock out “the list” of things to address before hauling south to find a vet worth visiting. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1302
Location: California | I don't know if everyone has had this much luck but I have used Platinum Performance for a few that were as you described and I noticed a night and day difference in just under 2 weeks. Other people noticed too. Coat and muscle tone picked up drastically and nothing else was changed. I know you mentioned you feed THE, but I fed Platinum a few times when I couldn't get a horse to "thrive" and it worked every time. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | you have alot of suggestions but sometimes when one thing works for a million it might not work for the one..lol
I love soaked beet pulp .. add it to my grain. it sounds like he is getting alot of supplements or fat goodies.. but he may need a good grain .. beet pulp also will fill them up faster and might be why he doesnt finish his food
Id try to do a soaked beet pulp- soaked alfalfa pellets and oats ...(personally Id add a quality grain instead of oats) . then id give him alfalfa flakes as you are and free choice bermuda hay .give it 2 months and adjust.
Edited by Bibliafarm 2017-11-16 9:13 PM
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