|
|
Expert
Posts: 2685
   
| I have an OTTQH mare that I got a while back that was very thin and "unhealthy" when I got her. First thing I did was have her teeth floated, worm her and treat her for ulcers. That helped some but we plateaued off on the weight and muscle gain so I added some things to her diet and she got better and we have plateaued off again. I am wondering if I should treat for ulcers again because I honestly don't think there is much more I can do for her diet. Problem is, if I do treat for ulcers and it helps or fixes the issue, where do I go from there? She can't live on omeprazole and she has been on a good gastric supplement since day 1.
Her diet and lifestyle consists of:
7# Blue Bonnet Equilene (14%P, 8%F, added pre and probiotics, low starch)
1# Ultra 24 Milk Replacer (24%P, 24%F, added vits and digestive aids)
2c Soybean Oil (99%F)
SmartGut Ultra (Smartpak)
Free Choice grass (only grazes if I turn another horse out with her, wont leave the barn by herself so only gets about 2 hours of grass a day)
Free Choice GOOD bermuda hay (eats roughly 1.5 flakes of the big 3x3 flakes per day)
She lives turned out on 2 acres with good grass but I have 2 horses in stalls for various reasons and she wont walk away from them to go graze alone. I only have 1 I can turn out with her and that horse can only be out a few hours a day so she spends most of time chilling next to the stalls with them.
I did the math for the entire diet and it looks like she has a total of about 10%F and 12-13%P for the entire diet not including the random grazing. The research I found said a horse can only digest up to about 12-13%F diet so I don't know that increasing fat would help me.
I have considered adding baled alfalfa or even cubes but I am afraid she will back off on her other stuff if I do. I have tried feeding her alfalfa before and she will cut her hay consumption in half when I did, like the alfalfa filled her up faster and I don't know that the trade off is worth it.
She does tend to not finish her grain after a stressful situation (trip to the vet, hauled somewhere) but usually picks right up within one feeding. It takes her half a a day and half the night to finish her grain. She has only been a fast eater for a short time while i have had her and I can't recall what was different during that time other than maybe I wasn't riding? I really can't remember. I have a gut feeling its an ulcer issue, maybe gastric, maybe hindgut.... but I don't know what avanue to go down once i treat again..... she can't live on meds. She has a HUGE heart and tries 150% and is very talented. I just need to figure this out. Going to talk with the vet this morning also.
I want to add, she does not have any pain anywhere other than some soft front feet that I am having shod this week. I had her flexed and checked out a week ago in case it was maybe a pain thing.
Also, (sorry for the book), some may not agree with the milk replacer but it made a huge difference in her and I don't think I could be convinced to give it up lol.
Thanks again.
Edit to add her "lifestyle"
Edited by RoaniePonie11 2016-04-11 7:32 AM
|
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| I believe a gastric issue.
She may not be absorbing the nutrients properly.
I would treat her for ulcers for another month, then put her on a good probiotic daily.
I would also be giving her an acid buffer before hauling, and riding.
Also have you tested your hay, as it may not have any nutrients |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3514
| Add Vitalize High Performance. Has Pre and Probiotic in it. You will not need to add anything else. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | How many times per day do you feed the concentrate part of the diet? If you are feeding more than 1 1/2 pounds at a time you will be losing efficiency. If it has been more than three months since the teeth were done I would check to see that there is not a hook developed on the inside of the lower molars on either side that is keeping her from chewing comfortably. That will limit how much grass she eats. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | I would treat for ulcers, THE GastroPLUS is not only for ulcers but it is also for digestive health and helps with hind gut issues as well. Then you can switch her over to a blend later on or if you want to, she can stay on GastroPLUS for life. I have my horse on it as a daily supplement because he is a silent worrier and creates digestive issues. Have you tried adding some beet pulp to her daily routine? This helped a polo horse I was taking care of for a friend as well as I put him on THE Muscle Mass. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2685
| Cowgirl Kat - 2016-04-11 4:05 PM
I would treat for ulcers, THE GastroPLUS is not only for ulcers but it is also for digestive health and helps with hind gut issues as well. Then you can switch her over to a blend later on or if you want to, she can stay on GastroPLUS for life. I have my horse on it as a daily supplement because he is a silent worrier and creates digestive issues. Have you tried adding some beet pulp to her daily routine? This helped a polo horse I was taking care of for a friend as well as I put him on THE Muscle Mass.
I started ulcer treatment today and ordered 30 days worth to be here in a few days. Also ordered a supplement for gastric AND hindgut health. I think I'll try this combo for 30 days and if I don't see results I want, try a month of GastroPlus. It costs about the same as the supplement I bought. I have tried muscle mass in the past with no luck but every horse is different so it's still on my radar. I had considered adding alfalfa or beet pulp but the amount I can get her to consume morning and night isn't much more than what she's already getting. For example, she didn't finish breakfast :/ that's why I started the meds today.
I spoke with my vet this morning and she said ulcers would be concern #1 and to make sure the horse is getting everything she needs and that her tender front feet may be causing more of an issue than I think. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2685
| winwillows - 2016-04-11 11:38 AM
How many times per day do you feed the concentrate part of the diet? If you are feeding more than 1 1/2 pounds at a time you will be losing efficiency. If it has been more than three months since the teeth were done I would check to see that there is not a hook developed on the inside of the lower molars on either side that is keeping her from chewing comfortably. That will limit how much grass she eats.
She gets 4# feelings. 3.5 blue bonnet and .5 milk replacer. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2685
| cheryl makofka - 2016-04-11 7:46 AM
I believe a gastric issue.
She may not be absorbing the nutrients properly.
I would treat her for ulcers for another month, then put her on a good probiotic daily.
I would also be giving her an acid buffer before hauling, and riding.
Also have you tested your hay, as it may not have any nutrients
Thanks. These were kind of my thoughts. A lightbulb came on when you said absorbing. We have started treatment and I have ordered a supplement to support gastric and hindgut health for digestion. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | RoaniePonie11 - 2016-04-11 2:25 PM Cowgirl Kat - 2016-04-11 4:05 PM I would treat for ulcers, THE GastroPLUS is not only for ulcers but it is also for digestive health and helps with hind gut issues as well. Then you can switch her over to a blend later on or if you want to, she can stay on GastroPLUS for life. I have my horse on it as a daily supplement because he is a silent worrier and creates digestive issues. Have you tried adding some beet pulp to her daily routine? This helped a polo horse I was taking care of for a friend as well as I put him on THE Muscle Mass. I started ulcer treatment today and ordered 30 days worth to be here in a few days. Also ordered a supplement for gastric AND hindgut health. I think I'll try this combo for 30 days and if I don't see results I want, try a month of GastroPlus. It costs about the same as the supplement I bought. I have tried muscle mass in the past with no luck but every horse is different so it's still on my radar. I had considered adding alfalfa or beet pulp but the amount I can get her to consume morning and night isn't much more than what she's already getting. For example, she didn't finish breakfast :/ that's why I started the meds today. I spoke with my vet this morning and she said ulcers would be concern #1 and to make sure the horse is getting everything she needs and that her tender front feet may be causing more of an issue than I think.
aww poor girl! I hope she is a simple fix. I would still try the Alfalfa. My horses eat it like it is candy. I would also consider some Hoof Salve(a topical you paint on the sole of the hoof or the wall, cornet band , etc) from THE. It has a component in it that was originally made for neuropathies in people and then Bob made it for horses. Helps with pain, inflammation and increases bloodflow. Keep us posted on how she is doing!! Sending good vibes your way! |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 264
| I have a similar situation. Race bred QH who all of a sudden was dropping weight. Coat turned dull, cranky attitude, and probably lost total of 150-200 pounds yet I was pouring the food into him. Wouldn't finish breakfast or dinner and started leaving his grain. He has had ulcers before so I went ahead and treated for 30 days. While his attitude was better, he still wasn't wanting to finish his meal.
So teeth are up to date, full month of ulcer drugs, I was UTD on a rotational wormer but it was suggested that I PowerPak him. That apparently was what he needed. Its only been 3 days after the 5 day dose and he already looks way better.
I would definitely look into some of the older threads here. A lot of others have suggested it when you are kinda getting to the last resort when nothing else is working. |
|
| |
|
 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| If that's your Royal blue chew chew filly you can box her up and send her to me. I'll take a shot at fixing her. Her brother looks awesome here at my house. :) |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2685
| classicpotatochip - 2016-04-12 10:13 PM
If that's your Royal blue chew chew filly you can box her up and send her to me. I'll take a shot at fixing her. Her brother looks awesome here at my house. :)
lol it is her. She is awesome. This is my only complaint I have about her and I don't feel its her fault. The people before me didn't tale care of basic needs (when she was on the track) like sewing her up and having her teeth floated so its no wonder she is ulcer prone. She is really working good though and is to the point of ready to be hauled but I want to fix this first. |
|
| |
Folks on-line