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Post by kayceepaint05 on May 16, 2008 0:34:18 GMT -5
Ok, this can be moved to horse health and such, but I needed to get some major exposure first if possible. Here is what I need help with.
18 year old paint mare,
Been on pasture her whole life with only1 flake of alfalfa a day and a little cob with mollasses.
She will NOT eat any grain, won't eat anything wet, it is like pulling teeth to get her to eat suppliments. She is thin and I desperately need to get some weight on her. She is on a very lush pasture, but she needs more than that.
This is a rescue horse that my boarder just adopted and I need to get her healthy and up to shape again. She has a great build on her, but needs to gain some weight!!! HELPPPPP!!
I have tried everything, and just can't get her to eat anything but just about 1.5 flakes of mix (orchard and alfalfa 50/50) and sometimes a handfull of grain, but only if I hand feed it to her. I am way out of my element here with her, I am used to horses that are very happy to get grain, free choice hay and suppliments!! She does have an appointment to get her teeth done, but they aren't that bad. Weird huh!
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Post by cutiepiepmu on May 16, 2008 2:22:06 GMT -5
Hey there - Have you had the teeth checked yet. This sounds like a classic case of needing the teeth done - maybe by a dentist. Also - COB - especially with molasses - is IMO like giving your horse posion! DO NOT feed it. I can go into pages of reasons why - but it boils down to the way it is digested in the gut and the effect it has on the body. Also - what is the deworming schedule for the horse and what and when was the last deworming? how long ago did the horse start dropping weight? does he horse have a temp? has there been any recent injuries or illness? I am pretty close to you and am happy to make a call out to your place to help if you want. Just let me know. Ohh - Ia m the equine nutritionist on the board  I can give you some more diet recommendations once I know the above! Take care, Sara |
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Post by earlybp on May 16, 2008 9:29:37 GMT -5
How long has she been at your place? It may be that she's just reacting to a new place, and will settle down in a few days into a good routine.
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Post by kayceepaint05 on May 16, 2008 10:09:06 GMT -5
she was at low weight before she came here, her teeth are getting done on the 21st, but aren't that bad, she is on a good worming schedule, we don't feed cob with mollasses that's what she was on before we got her. That's what has us puzzeled!!
She is the type of horse that is just weird. She is used to just pasture, and doesn't like to be "fed" I guess. Is there anything that I can give her that can boost her a little? We have tried every kind of thing you could think of to get weight on her, but she won't eat it, just sniffs it, and turns away!!
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Post by pnp4kidz on May 16, 2008 11:47:59 GMT -5
I'm a new fan of probiotics...
and also prebiotics...
so, on my old guy, I give Forco, which is probiotics, (adds new bacteria)
and Ration Plus, Prebiotics, (feeds the 'good' bacteria)
and without adding feed, he is gaining weight!
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Post by MustangAppy on May 16, 2008 12:02:35 GMT -5
She may need a good supplement to stimulate her appetite...try giving it to her in applesauce. Also a big fan of probiotics, they help increase the amount of nutrients that the horse's gut can absorb.
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Post by cutiepiepmu on May 16, 2008 12:19:27 GMT -5
B-complex injectable or B-12 sublingual. The injectable should be available at a feed store and make sure it is not the kind for cows/goats only. Give 1cc per 200 pounds body weight IM with a 2 inch 23-24 guage needle. Give for 3 days straight, then weekly. This should boost her appetite pronto. Also - give a tube of the B-12 sublingual/oral gel. This should also be available at your local feed store. Since she is used to getting grains - try this. Give her her hay - and on top of the hay put a couple of pounds of WHOLE oats mixed with about a handful of alfalfa pellets. THAT IS IT. Chuck it on top of the hay - get her used to eating it then slowly work her to using a bucket. Once she is using a bucket well - then slowly start introducing other types of feeds. We have this kind of issue with some of the ranch horses that are used to being fed out. During the winter, they get huge piles of hay with oats/vitamins chucked on top. They don't get fed out of buckets. Sometimes, just feeding on the ground and not using the buckets helps alot! ALSO - give her a full tube of probios gel daily for the next 5-7 days. Thsi will help stimulate her gut and give her a boost. Once she is eating with more vigor then you can start on other things. Till then - keep it simple till she gets a taste for the better things in life  Sara |
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Post by toeps on May 16, 2008 12:23:44 GMT -5
Sara - Is the probios gel better than the powder?
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Post by hayforhorses - The Food Angel on May 16, 2008 15:19:14 GMT -5
It depends on what the gel is made of...I stay with powder myself since it has no extra ingredients to worry about... Sara, what is the brand name of the probios gel? What extra ingredients are in the gel? Thanks! Aimee Sara - Is the probios gel better than the powder? |
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Post by kayceepaint05 on May 16, 2008 15:36:42 GMT -5
Thanks everyone!! I will definately try that, I have given her Probios, I love that stuff, but she is just weird, tried applesauce, nope, she won't eat anything " wet" I do feed her "grain" on her hay, and she munches a little, but I will go get this stuff, well actually have her owner get it, and start her on it asap. Thanks again!!!
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Post by kayceepaint05 on May 19, 2008 10:52:19 GMT -5
I just love her new owner, I emailed her the info that you gave me Cutie, and she told me to do whatever is needed, no matter the cost, that Misty deserves it. I just love that!! I did give her Probios, and she is already eating better. I am going to get her the B-12, oats, and more probios, and the Alfalfa pellets today. I usually soak alfalfa pellets, but she won't eat anything wet, so hum, another dilemma!~~
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Post by cutiepiepmu on May 19, 2008 15:58:27 GMT -5
Sorry that I have been out the last few days - things are busy! If she is not eating the supplements, then use the gel - generally - the gel can be given in higher doses at one shot than the powder, especially if the horse won't eat. The brand name is PROBIOS It is a broad spectrum probiotic. The gel is in a vitamin E based gel - I have no worries of giving it don't worry too much about soaking the pellets as long as she chews her food it will be fine. Alfalfa or grass pellets are not like beet pulp which should always be soaked. Some horses have problems with the pellets if they don't chew well - which at that point it can pose a risk of choke. So - just watch her the first few times - if she is a good chewer then no worries! take care, Sara |
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Post by kayceepaint05 on May 19, 2008 16:05:17 GMT -5
guess I am just paranoid, I lost a horse to colic ( i blame myself, when I have been told by numerous people it wasn't my fault) about 3 years ago, and soak almost everything that is pelleted or compressed. Call me crazy I guess!!
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Post by cutiepiepmu on May 20, 2008 2:50:22 GMT -5
Soaking never hurts I am a big soaker myself! But, almost all horses do fine on unsoaked hay pellets - again, though - beet pulp should be soaked (although I know there is ad ebate on that!) Take care, Sara |
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Post by kayceepaint05 on May 20, 2008 11:52:45 GMT -5
Well update!!!!
Misty is doing awesome. The probios has started to work, and she is eating with more enthusiasm today. I am still waiting on the B-complex, seems like everyone is out right now. Dels will have some Friday for me. I did get the oats, pellets and more of the probios yesterday, wow!!!! She is eating like a piggy finally!!
Thank you Sara, you don't know how much your recommedations mean to us!! Her owner is so excited to know that Misty is finally eating like she should. She is getting her teeth done tomorrow, and I am sure that I will have more updates soon. I am also going to take some pics, her and Bella. Bella is doing awesome too, but did get some icky news from my farrier. Bella was in mud for soooo long that her heels are very soft, and SUPER sore. Now that she is up to a decent weight, we were going to start working her in the roundpen, but Jim (farrier) said to wait another 30 days or so. Poor girl, Jim was sooo sweet with her, he tried so hard not to hurt her, but gave her a good trim. I will post more on her Thread also.
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