Emaciation??.......

[bramblesmum]

well had a lovely chat with topspec and can see why you reccomended, they have suggested a gradual change to top spec cool and condition, alfa alfa (any brand) and a balancer preferably one with a probiotic in to help the gut, they have also suggested keeping the speedibeet on as a bit extra, so think we will be going down this route, she said hay can be better so ordering her a large round in tomorrow,

shes started the treatment today popped her out with a bud and she looked perkier and was neighing at everyone which was very sweet.

Everyone else I have spoken to bar my vet has said putting her to sleep is wrong at this stage, she is underweight but with spark still in her and healthy organs they see no reason to pts, they've suggested feed changes for 2-3 months hopefully that will help and build her up failing that I will have to force vet to scope her, but a racehorse rescue I chatted to suggested trying to get some weight on first before scoping as so low she might find it to stressful and colic again.

Alistair is the vet I have been using so could ask campbell to have a look over her notes and see what he thinks, will do the panacur first and then get his second look just in case that fixes her up

Aimee is currently wearing a masta heavyweight and a middleweight stable and has seemed warm in that, she was in a stable that wasn't as sheltered as others so have moved her into a corner foaling box and she looked very very content with the move, so will see if that helps at all

Thank you guys for all your help so far, I was at a total loss last night and didn't know where to go forward to youve given me some brill help and support, big thankyou from us both, feed will be bought tomorrow and gradually brought in over a few weeks, top spec aim to see improvement in coat condition but weight shall come on slowly over a few months.

[specialsparkle3]

Great news Bramblesmum. Good luck with her. and remember, in the end once Spring is here, Dr Green will finish the work you have put into her.

[BJMM]

Can't add any more to the excellent advice offered above, just wanted to wish you lots of luck with her. She is lucky to have found you xxx

[Lulu]

Jan 5, 2012 11:10:39 GMT 1 2 bays & a grey:D said:

Havent read all the replies but my vet said nancy wasnt a candidate for ulcers & she had grade 3. Been on succeed for about 3 months & is doing fab. Just something to consider if you are running out of options...

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Have put a 3yr old on Succeed, and she too got colic a lot last yr and would tuck up easily and not "thrive". Still on our first tub, and already she is thriving and starting to relax more in stable, even nearly fell asleep in there today We need a "LIKE"button, as I too agree Succeed has made a difference to the stressy 3yr old

Didn't I read an article recently about how 90% (or a high figure) of racehorses in training probably have ulcers (due to high concentrate diet and not enough forage)

Good luck, first winters out of training for ex-pampered TB's is a HUGE shock to their system. Once conditioned to living outside after a yr or so, they do much better in subsequent winters...

Try the succeed, you'll know if it works or not, the difference is amazing. At £75 a pot, its not cheap (one months supply) but you'll see the difference before you run out, and will know if its worth carrying on with it.

[Lulu]

I too rate top spec cool and condition....

[Lulu]

Was wondering if you've been advised to feed alfalfa and sugar beet, why not try Alfa Beet, it's both combined in one. All my horses love it and LICK the bowl clean. Very good for weight (and oldies with challenged teeth). I did find alfalfa made my youngster get mud fever twice, so stopped feeding her all forms of alfalfa and the mud fever never came back again. Some horses are sensitive to alfalfa, others aren't.

Dengie Alfa Beet link www.dengie.com/pages/products/additional-products/alfa-beet.php

[bramblesmum]

lulu i've tried it in the past and for some reason she just wouldnt take to it and would refuse it completly individually she likes both though - she is a strange lassie - do you have to go through the vets for the succeed or can I try it without?

[Lulu]

Well I got it online without going through vet (laurac gave me the link).

www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/site.aspx?i=pr241649

[bertie666]

Id be wary of alfa alfa in anything with an already sensitive stomach tbh

Id be feeding mironised linseed and thunderbrooks base mix - give Debbie at thunderbrooks a ring, shes a nutritionist and thinks outside the box, is also more natural feeds rather than the commercial ones which have lots of fillers and binders which are often irritants in themselves.

Agree with the suggestion of hay not haylege, tis too acidic for many.

Shes not over rugged and sweating is she? Just thinking that would use up some of the calories you are trying to get on her

[ladyndibs]

I'm pleased to hear she seems happy with her new home and feed, I really hope she starts to improve. I have an arab that dropped quite a bit of weight a while back and couldn't believe how quickly I could see a differance when I changed his food hopefully it will be the same for you.

[auburnalia]

First year I bought Aubs (first winter after retiring from racing) she turned into an hat rack, I obviously reassessed her feed etc etc as you are doing and changed it but she was still very very skinny and I was recommended to try a build up supplement in addition to her feed.

www.equivite.com/Page_BodyBuilder.htm

It was amazing, she litterally did put on weight in 2 weeks and with no side effects whatsoever. She didnt have any digestion issues or anything so I was confident to put her it without worrying, I can't imagine that it would cause any issues for your girl as its just a milk pellet, but then I am not an expert on diet.

Amazing stuff and well worth a go.

Yes, and keep her toasty warm!! Best of luck, keep us posted.

[Azrael]

Gastri-x from hilton herbs is good stuff if digestive problems could be the cause of not gaining weight. I fed it to Mia for a while and she went from difficult to keep weight on to being a bit chubby She had it for one winter and has been fine without it since. Also lots of other improvements in attitude and stuff like getting bloated on grass after being on it for a while.

[cuffey]

My neighbours ex racehorse was like a hat rack--loaded with redworms, no progress until they were got rid of. A buddy, ad lib hay and good grazing and she eventually built up enough condition to be out day time in winter rugless--that took several years!! Not sure what bucket feed she got--probably straights.

[june]

I've had a lot of success with putting weight on horses using Top Spec Cool and Condition. Most horses find it very palatable and it is reasonably high in calories. To get weight on quickly it is best to feed little and often. Cool and Condition is linseed and soya based and is safe to feed in reasonably large quantities. We've fed up to 4 round scoops a day split over 5 feeds and have got weight on horses in a fairly short space of time doing that. Basically, the more calories you can get in safely, the better.

Adding oil is another good way of adding condition without adding bulk to the feed. The downside is some horses don't find it palatable and it takes a couple of weeks for the horse's system to adapt to utilising it fully. If the horse will eat feed with oil added then its a good way of getting calories in.

Some horses can have a problem with haylage as it tends to be quite acidic but rye grass haylage is another good way of adding condition. It might be worth trying that if you can establish that she is ok with haylage.

[Deleted]

Jan 5, 2012 19:53:47 GMT 1 bertie666 said:

Id be wary of alfa alfa in anything with an already sensitive stomach tbh

Depends if you know why the stomach is sensitive, alfa alfa is the best feed you can give a horse with ulcers because of it's very low sugar and starch and high calcium content.