milo
Grand Prix Poster
milo, lily, bob,henry and monty
Posts: 2,704
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Post by milo on Dec 4, 2011 23:42:05 GMT 1
 my milo is looking quite thin,i'm worried about him, he normally lives out 24/7 unrugged but this year i've rugged him as hes been loosing weight most of the summer months but he was over weight so wasnt worried but hes on hay/haylage, speedibeet, happy hoof and veteran mix as hes now 17 acording to his passport but he could be any age really, hes no longer in work as hes damaged his tendons and is intermittedly lame, hes barefoot and lives out with 3 others, one of who is quite bossy.he has shelter available 24/7, how have other people managed their oldies? hes 15.3 friesian x he used to weigh 720 kilo's at his heaviest when he was ridden but now weighs approx 650 on weigh tape,i'm going to get a dentist to check his teeth as they look long, but hes eating his food ok.hes the one i'm riding in my picture.i can see hips so i'm really worried.
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Post by ladyndibs on Dec 5, 2011 0:07:19 GMT 1
My boy isn't old but when he was losing a bit and very cold I found Baileys No 1 had an almost immediate effect, didn't need to use a lot and as it's a baked cereal it should be fine with poor teeth and mix well with speedi beet
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Post by jill on Dec 5, 2011 8:45:10 GMT 1
If he is getting sufficient food calories and is able to eat properly there could be an underlying problem such as Cushings and/or Insulin Resistance. I would get a vet check before splashing out on expensive foods. Cereal can be one of the worst thigs for IR horses so it really is best to check first.
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Post by donnalex on Dec 5, 2011 9:41:25 GMT 1
Crushed barley piles on the weight the fastest. If you can feed barley it is the cheapest and best for quick weight gain, try it for a few weeks then cut it back a bit as you see some improvement. Mixed with some sugar beet they all eat it well  |
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Post by specialized on Dec 5, 2011 11:29:02 GMT 1
At 17 and out of work he will have lost muscle and could look poor on his topline, but 650kg does not sound particularly light for a 15-3. If you do get more weight on him without any level of fitness it may end up under his belly rather than on his topline.
Best to check him over and ask the vet about condition if still concerned.
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pd
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,367
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Post by pd on Dec 5, 2011 13:14:01 GMT 1
Also consider if he's been ill at all and had antibiotics. If so, his gut bacteria might have been eradicated, meaning that whatever you feed won't be utilised by his body properly. If this is a possibility, get him on some Yeasacc (Brewers Yeast) or off the shelf Protexin to replace the good bacteria and give his metabolic system a boost.
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milo
Grand Prix Poster
milo, lily, bob,henry and monty
Posts: 2,704
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Post by milo on Dec 6, 2011 19:00:22 GMT 1
hes really lame today and looks miserable, every one else came galloping up the field for breakfast and he just plodded up very stiffly! hes coming in tomorow,just got to clear out a shed for him to come into as theyre all full of cows and turkeys at the moment but the turkeys should be gone soon.
weigh taped him today and hes 638 kilo's and cant see any ribs and don't want to but i don't want him any thinner either.
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Post by barbararob on Dec 6, 2011 19:41:48 GMT 1
He sounds like he's going to have a better christmas than the turkeys (no offence meant).
He will look different out of work and you'll perhaps find that a little change in routine helps him
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aceofspades
Grand Prix Poster
My Little Baby Ace
Posts: 1,308
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Post by aceofspades on Dec 6, 2011 19:53:39 GMT 1
can you buy crushed barley? i have the same problem with my mare loosing weight in the winter but she dsnt like barley rings
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Post by antares on Dec 6, 2011 20:41:59 GMT 1
My vet suggested I use sugar beet and racehorse cubes to put weight on my oldie when he was suffering from a bad foot abscess and suddenly got thin at the start if winter as they are high in calories. If you are worried speak to your vet. If your horse has been losing weight over the summer then could suggest a problem.
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gillmcg
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Olympic Poster
Posts: 1,948
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Post by gillmcg on Dec 6, 2011 21:10:36 GMT 1
At 17 and out of work he will have lost muscle and could look poor on his topline, but 650kg does not sound particularly light for a 15-3. If you do get more weight on him without any level of fitness it may end up under his belly rather than on his topline. Best to check him over and ask the vet about condition if still concerned. My thoughts too re the vet check - especially as it sounds to me as if he is in pain. Extra weight could just add to his burden. Lightweight but warm rug to keep him comfortable and stop him burning off too many calories maybe? |
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Post by irishcob on Dec 6, 2011 22:27:43 GMT 1
It might be worth talking to a qualified equine nutritionist. I'm a big fan of Topspec feeds, and they have a very good free helpline 01845 565030. Obviously they will recommend their own brand, but are very happy to talk about what is best for each individual horse and regime.
Both Kelly and my vet put me in touch with them a year or so ago, and my horses have never looked better having swopped to their feeds.
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Post by donnalex on Dec 7, 2011 14:43:55 GMT 1
can you buy crushed barley? i have the same problem with my mare loosing weight in the winter but she dsnt like barley rings Yes from any mill that does straights. The more farmers that shop there the better, it will be cheaper and fresher as it is bought for pigs and cows in for fattening. Introduce it gradually. |
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Post by milo2008 on Dec 12, 2011 0:46:02 GMT 1
I would reccomend speaking to Debbie at Thunderbrook feeds. It has worked wonders for my horse who kept losing weight. His gut was healed and he never had colic again (before it was a lot!)
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my milo is looking quite thin,i'm worried about him, he normally lives out 24/7 unrugged but this year i've rugged him as hes been loosing weight most of the summer months but he was over weight so wasnt worried but hes on hay/haylage, speedibeet, happy hoof and veteran mix as hes now 17 acording to his passport but he could be any age really, hes no longer in work as hes damaged his tendons and is intermittedly lame, hes barefoot and lives out with 3 others, one of who is quite bossy.he has shelter available 24/7, how have other people managed their oldies? hes 15.3 friesian x he used to weigh 720 kilo's at his heaviest when he was ridden but now weighs approx 650 on weigh tape,i'm going to get a dentist to check his teeth as they look long, but hes eating his food ok.hes the one i'm riding in my picture.i can see hips so i'm really worried.
