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 Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
  
Location: Sperry, OK | lexyy12 - 2014-01-08 3:16 PM Soo my Hemi gelding is just not where I want him to be as in his body condition or size. He is a 7 year old this year. I don't expect him to be stout or anything but I just feel like he could fill out more than he is. I don't know if it's just because I'm used to the more stout type horses but he is very lanky and thin. No ribs showing or anything but just not where I feel he should be. I've been feeding beet pulp but he doesn't like it so I don't give him as much as I should because he barely eats what he gets. He has alfalfa hay at least 3 times a day and is fed a full scoop of rolled oats mixed with molasses from the feed mill. I have been suspecting him of having ulcers and I have been feeding U-gard supplement for the last few months and I see a major difference in his attitude but not in his body. Any suggestions on how to help him fill out a little more? I can attach pictures this evening. I would change my feed all together. With oats and molasses, he isn't getting anything but sugar and startch, no real fat or protein to speak of, except what he gets from the alfalfa. Most horses don't utilize/digest oast well and they get very little nutrition from them. Start by changing him over to a real "feed" and see how he does.
Edited by ACEINTHEHOLE 2014-01-10 8:25 AM
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | If I were you I would trying upping his grain to 8# a day and adding rice bran- 1-2# it is high fat low mass type feed that most horses like. I am wondering if you are using this horse? If so, I think he looks pretty good, it takes a lot in the winter to keep one looking good while riding/training. The cool calories is good too but sometimes horses don't like the "fake sweet" smell that it has.
Maybe change your horses eating situation- instead of in a stall perhaps put him at a bucket across from another horses pen or tie him-I have a gelding that needs to feel like he's "stealing" his food or else he paws/flings his bucket and pretty much doesn't eat. Now I put his ration in a tub right next to where I'm mixing everyone elses feed and he eats like theres no tomorrow.-quirky booger! |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
 
Location: Florida.. | I would change to but I didnt think she has a choice , if so go with triple crown. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| classicpotatochip - 2014-01-09 9:26 PM
3 lbs of alfalfa pellets twice a day and 1 lb of rice bran twice a day. Rice bran is the bomb.
Rice bran can do wonders for a horse! |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | Bibliafarm - 2014-01-10 10:31 AM I would change to but I didnt think she has a choice , if so go with triple crown. I agree. TC Senior already has rice bran in it. I would stop mixing a bunch of supplements and just do the alfalfa and TC Senior. Just keep is simple.
Edited by Murphy 2014-01-10 9:49 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| lexyy12 - 2014-01-08 3:51 PM
lindseylou2290 - 2014-01-08 4:45 PM Murphy - 2014-01-08 3:18 PM If you suspect ulcers, I would nix the molasses. I would put him on a good senior feed. Ditto to above. Also, really look at his topline and especially out over the top of his hips. Horses that are in good condition for work/competition will be full in their muscle all along this region (regardless of how much fat is packed over the ribs ). This area is a good indicator of "need" of a change in the diet to help them gain or lose accordingly.
of him.
Gotcha ... The pictures don't look horrid, and by that I mean you are at the front end of an issue and being proactive about your approach, so good job! He does look like he could use some fill over his withers. Try more fat in his diet, Forco is good at filling toplines, especially near the withers. You got this!! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| For the skinny horses I get, I slowly introduce the change in feed to them.
When they are on full feed they are getting
2lbs of oats, whole as rolled begins to loose nutritional content
2 lbs of barley, soaked I soak after measuring
1 cup of whole flax, I grind just before I give
1 cup of land and sea oil (fish and flax)
1/2 cup red cell
I give this to them twice per day
Mine also get free choice hay, then I add approx 10 lbs of alfalfa |
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 Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | I really want to try and keep the oats right now...
he he isn't being ridden right now but I just upped his gain not too long ago and have been giving more hay. I want to try the rice bran for him right now.
He is a huge pig! He has no problem eating!
Also, I have alfalfa cubes....could I give him those in place of the pellets? |
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