|
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
  
Location: Sunny So Cal | Fancy Lass - 2015-03-25 10:53 AM jtaylor - 2015-03-25 12:44 PM I have a mare that is a hard keeper too. She will draw up overnight. Recently I had her to the vet and while there I asked him what diet I could put her on to make her fill in. He told me to work her up to 10lbs a day of Purina Equine Senior. Alfalfa and grass hay. Said in 30 days I would not recognize her. I did that but I also added some muscle mass. It has done wonders for her. I know that is a lot of feed but once you get her stabilized you can back down a tad. Also, he gave her a shot of prozac for her anxiety. That also helped her a lot. This is kind of what a vet around here suggested to me .. Maybe I just need go try that instead of ultium . We ran out of hay & had to buy more & I'm not happy with the quality : (
yes! If mine did not have the quality he liked he would use if for bedding or for his business. I was glad when he sold. Made my life a lot easier, cheaper and more time. But I still miss him. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 718
Location: BOSSIER CITY, LA | I have a horse that has been a picky eater since day one, he has also been checked for anything that could be wrong and his teeth are done regulary. I tried the forco but he wouldnt eat it. I have changed him to the Purina Senior Active that was suggested on this board and he is eating it. I also got some stuff from Rosie Bradley that I dose him with that is making him fill out. You are supposed to pour it on the feed but he wont eat it that way. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 559
| Thanks for all the great suggestions ! She is a pain ! If she wasn't a solid 1 d horse she'd have been gone long ago lol .. She won't eat forco or anything like that .. It might be poison don't you know ? lol tried the purina senior active .. Hated that ! She'll eat ultium & regular purina senior .. Seems everything else she doesn't really like.. My young horse will eat anything !! Then I have this pain in the butt ! I just hate it ! |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 139
Location: Abbotsford B.C. Canada | Complete feeds for seniors in effect add the forage and some grain to mimic the diet of a younger horse. They may look like they have less fat and calories compared to a performanc horse feed but you feed a lot more because it replaces grain and hay combined.
I find that a barrel horse who is doing hard work may actually also have ulcers.
I suggest that you could feed the senior feed if that is all he will eat at present but try and see if he will eat some alfalfa hay. Use a good quality alfalfa hay and feed about 10 pounds a day. That has the added benefit of a true buffering effect for ulcers. We use alfalfa hays not grass hay in dairy cow diets not just because it has more energy and protein, they are lower in the fiber fraction controlling intakes. Horses and cows can eat more alfalfa lb for lb than grass hay and it has more in it.
My clients claim it makes horses crazy sometimes and quite rightly so. It has lots of power because it has more calories per pound and horses eat more of it. If you do not need the energy it may over do things, but your horse needs the energy and seems like he is a little gun shy on eating the hay you have. If you are down south, some of the bermuda grass hays are not very high quality and in fact are so corase they not only limit calorie intake because horses cannot eat them well and they are low nutrient content, the horses are more prone to impaction colic. They do not feel well eating the stuff.
Sometimes I find horses do not like alfalfa cubes yet if they are good quality cubes horses can eat more hay as cubes than the same hay as long hay. They are prechewed so to speak. However, the cubes are made with pressure and heat and that may cook them a bit too much. If he got something like that no wonder now he does not like them. I have horses who would rather die than eat alfalfa cubes, yet I love them for most older horses I work with.
I also think you could try and use the senior food at a fairly high level, then just try and top dress about two cups a day of rolled oats on top and see if he will eat that.
Even try whole oats to help with stimulating chewing.
Horses sometime benfit from the texture of oats and usually most horses like oats. When he chews the oats he actually may stimulate some saliva production and that carries sodium bicarbonate and that buffers his stomach. So yes it adds starch, but it may entice him to eat grain and allpow you to dial in some extra calories just according to what he will eat.
He may not like pellets if he hurt himself by eating too much at some time. A little sweet feed also may pek his appetite.
Horses in hard training sometimes just go off feed , maybe ulcers maybe pain possibly a combination of things. It may be a case of poor saddle fit or some other issue bothering the horse.
Try a littel corn oil as that is usually the most palatabble oil and put it on top of the senior pellets. Work up from an oz or two a day to 1-2 cups a day if need be.
See if he will eat some veg oil top dressed on the senior feed. The most palatable may be corn oil. You can try some of the dry fat products as well, but look at the cost. Start with just an oz of corm oil in the am and an oz at night and see how he likes that.
Then you may wish to look at a pre and pro biotic just to smooth out his tummy function.
You can easily add more calories with oil, it does not cause a heating effect and it does not increase water inatke very much and it does not add bulk and it may help prevent ulcers and colic.
You may have to experiment with different high fat products and peformance feeds but if all he eat now is senior, add some oats and oil to that and maybe a cup of milled flax and make your own performance horse feed. The senior has lots of fiber , you dial in some oats and oil and flax for the omega three anti inflammatory deal, just what he will eat and is happy with.
Naturally your feed dealer has feeds like this but he is so fussy and he remembers something bad about other feeds so give him the chance to adjust gradually to things you know will help him. H emay even be suspiciuos about sweet feed with molasses. Eventually if he eats oats and oil you cna lower the senior a bit as directed and save some money perhaps.
Better hay is where to start so try alfalfa first .
Just some thoughts from a northern cowboy!
Coastal Rider |
|
| |
|
  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
  
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Alfalfa cubes seems to be the best bang for the buck on weight for me. I do kind of an all around approach. Feed Strategy, alfalfa cubes, flax and rice bran, and some chaffhaye . Biggest thing with some horses is feeding them enough if they'll eat it. Lots of people don't realize how many pounds they're actually feeding. I've got a post on feeding hard keepers with my own old hard keeper and what I feed him. It's Musings From The Leadrope. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 559
| Well she's been eating the purina senior really well .. More than the ultium . She eats the senior over the ultium , then when the senior was gone she went to her hay & left the ultium :/ soo I think I've found a winner .. So I'll feed that & add fat if I have to I guess. If thats what she'll eat then that's what she's getting ! |
|
| |
|
I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | I feed 2 scoops equine senior and 1 scoop 12% pellets to every horse I have twice a day whatever the age and all the hay they can eat and grass pasture! They shine to the point everyone wants to know what I wash them with to make them shine like that! I am a big believer in equine senior it has always been the best food on the market for me and my horses. Some people may have different results with other feeds but it has always been #1 with me!!! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 559
| Thanks for your reply ! I'm going to give it a try! It's easy to digest so I feel more comfortable feeding higher amounts.
She likes it , so we are going to give it a shot ! I hope it works :) |
|
| |
|
 Shoot Yeah
Posts: 4273
Location: Where you need a paddle... Oregon! | Special Blend Pellets
 HAYSTACK NATURALS
SPECIAL BLEND PELLETSÂ
Feed as a forage supplement for all ages of horses and other livestock. This feed is intended for horses or livestock that would benefit from a lower carb/higher fat diet. There is no molasses added. It is useful for animals that need to gain weight.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:
CRUDE PROTEIN: MIN 12%
CRUDE FAT: MIN 6%
CRUDE FIBER: MAX 28%
DIETARY STARCH: MAX 5.0%
SIMPLE SUGARS (ESC): MAX 2.5%
WATER SOLUBLE CARBS (WSC): MAX 7.5%
FRUCTANS (WSC-ESC): MAX 2.5%
ASH: MAX 8%
Â
INGREDIENTS:
PLAIN DRIED BEET PULP, SUN CURED TIMOTHY HAY, SUN CURED ALFALFA HAY,
GROUND FLAXSEED MEAL, RICE BRAN, CANOLA OIL
Â
FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS:
 YOUNG ANIMALS: 0.5-1.0 LBS DAILY
BREEDING ANIMALS: 1-5 LBS DAILY
LACTATING ANIMALS: 4-5 LBS DAILY
MAINTENANCE: 1-2 LBS DAILY
WEIGHT GAIN: 0.5-1.0 LBS/100LBS BODY WEIGHT
THESE PELLETS WILL BE SOFTER AND MORE POWDER MIGHT BE PRESENT AS WE USE NO BINDERSÂ
http://www.haystackfarmandfeeds.com/horse-products/special-blend-pe... have a picky mare too. I feed her a main forage of alfalfa. She will still only eat as much as her pretty little heart desires and leave some behind, but it keeps her looking good. As a 3 year old it was really hard. Alfalfa gave her scours so I fed senior feed. She liked it and it helped. She loves whole oats, but her tendency toward ulcers prohibits those. I now feed a grain made here in Oregon called Haystack Special Blend. It's timothy, alfalfa, rice bran, beet pulp. But I'm a huge believer in alfalfa. And it helps with the ulcers.
Here's what I feed. Not sure where you are.
Edited by Lady 2015-03-26 9:34 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | Fancy Lass - 2015-03-25 4:27 PM
Well she's been eating the purina senior really well .. More than the ultium . She eats the senior over the ultium , then when the senior was gone she went to her hay & left the ultium :/ soo I think I've found a winner .. So I'll feed that & add fat if I have to I guess. If thats what she'll eat then that's what she's getting !
If she's eating that I'd stick to it. You could always add soaked alfalfa pellets, flax, rice bran, or whatever to give her more forage/fat... Good luck! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 559
| Lovin Life - 2015-03-26 11:39 AM
Fancy Lass - 2015-03-25 4:27 PM
Well she's been eating the purina senior really well .. More than the ultium . She eats the senior over the ultium , then when the senior was gone she went to her hay & left the ultium :/ soo I think I've found a winner .. So I'll feed that & add fat if I have to I guess. If thats what she'll eat then that's what she's getting !
If she's eating that I'd stick to it. You could always add soaked alfalfa pellets, flax, rice bran, or whatever to give her more forage/fat... Good luck!
Yep :) I am! That's what she's eating really well so I'm sticking to it ! If I need more I'll add fat or something :) |
|
| |
|
 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | Fancy Lass - 2015-03-26 1:27 PM
Lovin Life - 2015-03-26 11:39 AM
Fancy Lass - 2015-03-25 4:27 PM
Well she's been eating the purina senior really well .. More than the ultium . She eats the senior over the ultium , then when the senior was gone she went to her hay & left the ultium :/ soo I think I've found a winner .. So I'll feed that & add fat if I have to I guess. If thats what she'll eat then that's what she's getting !
If she's eating that I'd stick to it. You could always add soaked alfalfa pellets, flax, rice bran, or whatever to give her more forage/fat... Good luck!
Yep : ) I am! That's what she's eating really well so I'm sticking to it ! If I need more I'll add fat or something : )
you said earlier that she wont eat beet pulp or alfalfa cubes. Have you tried soaking them with hot water? by your profile picture I'm guessing it may still be cold where you are, she may be more enticed to eat them if they are warm. I know my horses will suck down warm water out of their buckets like it's going out of style on the cold days. One horse especially loves his hot alfalfa cubes |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 559
| Crowned Image - 2015-03-26 12:55 PM
Fancy Lass - 2015-03-26 1:27 PM
Lovin Life - 2015-03-26 11:39 AM
Fancy Lass - 2015-03-25 4:27 PM
Well she's been eating the purina senior really well .. More than the ultium . She eats the senior over the ultium , then when the senior was gone she went to her hay & left the ultium :/ soo I think I've found a winner .. So I'll feed that & add fat if I have to I guess. If thats what she'll eat then that's what she's getting !
If she's eating that I'd stick to it. You could always add soaked alfalfa pellets, flax, rice bran, or whatever to give her more forage/fat... Good luck!
Yep : ) I am! That's what she's eating really well so I'm sticking to it ! If I need more I'll add fat or something : )
you said earlier that she wont eat beet pulp or alfalfa cubes. Have you tried soaking them with hot water? by your profile picture I'm guessing it may still be cold where you are, she may be more enticed to eat them if they are warm. I know my horses will suck down warm water out of their buckets like it's going out of style on the cold days. One horse especially loves his hot alfalfa cubes
That profile pic is old . It's warm here now . 60s during the day . It doesn't matter if the water is warm or cold . She'll eat either one for about 2-3 days then gets tired of it & doesn't want it anymore . Them she'll only eat a little bit & waste a ton or not eat it at all . |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 581
Location: Fort Collins, CO | Cowgirl Kat - 2015-03-25 11:18 AM
Fancy Lass - 2015-03-25 10:53 AM jtaylor - 2015-03-25 12:44 PM I have a mare that is a hard keeper too. She will draw up overnight. Recently I had her to the vet and while there I asked him what diet I could put her on to make her fill in. He told me to work her up to 10lbs a day of Purina Equine Senior. Alfalfa and grass hay. Said in 30 days I would not recognize her. I did that but I also added some muscle mass. It has done wonders for her. I know that is a lot of feed but once you get her stabilized you can back down a tad. Also, he gave her a shot of prozac for her anxiety. That also helped her a lot. This is kind of what a vet around here suggested to me .. Maybe I just need go try that instead of ultium . We ran out of hay & had to buy more & I'm not happy with the quality : (
ULTIUM is going to be better because it has more fat than Senior!!! you will feed so much more senior versus Ultium. Fat is the way to go for weight gain! You may want to add hay pellets since the hay is not a great quality--but I suggest ulitum, hands down! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 559
| shorti056 - 2015-03-26 6:14 PM
Cowgirl Kat - 2015-03-25 11:18 AM
Fancy Lass - 2015-03-25 10:53 AM jtaylor - 2015-03-25 12:44 PM I have a mare that is a hard keeper too. She will draw up overnight. Recently I had her to the vet and while there I asked him what diet I could put her on to make her fill in. He told me to work her up to 10lbs a day of Purina Equine Senior. Alfalfa and grass hay. Said in 30 days I would not recognize her. I did that but I also added some muscle mass. It has done wonders for her. I know that is a lot of feed but once you get her stabilized you can back down a tad. Also, he gave her a shot of prozac for her anxiety. That also helped her a lot. This is kind of what a vet around here suggested to me .. Maybe I just need go try that instead of ultium . We ran out of hay & had to buy more & I'm not happy with the quality : (
ULTIUM is going to be better because it has more fat than Senior!!! you will feed so much more senior versus Ultium. Fat is the way to go for weight gain! You may want to add hay pellets since the hay is not a great quality--but I suggest ulitum, hands down!
Yes , I totally understand .. But she likes the senior a lot more so that is what she's getting . If I've found something she likes & won't go off of then I'll feed as much as I have to . I've been doing tastes test with her & she's willingly eating all of the senior & leaving the ultium . I'll just have to add amplify to the senior if I need more fat / calories . |
|
| |
|
 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Platinum makes an oil for added fat called Healthy Weight; my 36 year old gets 6 pounds of Purina Senior, 5 cups of beet pulp, Platinum CJ, and 1/3 cup of the oil twice a day. He looks amazing. (Wish I knew how to do pics!!) He has no teeth so he gets all that as a warm, damp mixture. Most people would have already given up on him, but he deserves all this and more. We'll be backing off to once a day soon to see how his weight holds. Then adjust from there.
Guess I'm essentially giving your plan a thumbs up!!
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2015-03-27 1:43 AM
|
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 242
Location: Nowhere Land | Have you Tried Alfalfa Pellets? I feed that with my Triple Crown Complete. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 559
| AngieM1 - 2015-03-27 10:25 AM
Have you Tried Alfalfa Pellets? I feed that with my Triple Crown Complete.
No but I could try the pellets :) |
|
| |
Folks on-line