Advice needed

I am 27 and I am embarking on a new adventure. I bought three horses from someone who couldn't afford to take care of them anymore. Needlessto say my 11 year old mare (Ginger), a quarter horse< is about 200-300lbs under weight. She had been nurseing her colt for 1 1/2 years, I know that was too long but my husband couldn't be convinced to seperate them for the recimended 30 days. They have been seperated for longer than that now and she is still VERY skinny. I feed her alfalfa pelets, beet pulp (1 qt twice a day) and 2 to 3 handfuls of sweetfeed in the evening feed. I soak all of this with a gallon of hot water (since it is cold outside). She has hay in the pen with her, but she has only gained 100lbs in 2 months. Any ideas why this would be?? Anyother suggestions I could try?? I want to get her weight on her so I can start riding her!

Make sure you're feeding her a good feed. Make sure the fat level in your feed is at least 5%. If your feed doesn't include probiotics, get some to add to the feed.

I see you're in Oklahoma... if you're in eastern OK, look for some Heritage feed made by Big V - it's really good feed. It's only sold in Oklahoma

I totally agree with qt make sure the feed is a good feed and it has a high fat level content in it...also have you dewormed her? I would suggest if you haven't to double dose her. I prefer alfalfa hay over pellets because horses seem to eat the pellets very fast which is not always the best thing for them. Also try Equine Senior Feed.. that helped my older gelding gain some weight I use to mix it with oil as well. Hope this helps some.

Feed little & often, as horses digestive tract is designed for. At least 3-4 small meals per day, the more the better. I don't advise feeding sweetened or grainy feed, but if you do, it's even more vital you follow the little & often rule. She'll be getting very little from it only once per day & it can cause other problems fed infrequently &/or large meals.

I'd also be giving her some lucerne/alfalfa hay too, as it's likely she needs more protein. The 'baby' would also have sucked the nutrients out of her too, so it may be imbalanced nutrition rather than lack of calories that is making it hard for her to put weight on. A good quality complete supp should take care of that.

Sweet feed will do little to nothing, I HIGHLY recommend Triple Crown Senior feed if you can find it, its excellent. Look for something high in fat, at this time I'd look for a good Senior horse feed, they do wonders with weight. Work her up to a 3qt scoop AM and PM. Max E Glo rice bran is also great for weight gain. Make sure she has good quality hay at free choice.
After the stress of everything I'd give her some pro biodics. Also de-worm! If all else fails check her teeth.

If you can get it Total Equine is a great feed. You do not give any hard(grain) feed with this. Here is a list of OK dealers. You can give from 2# twice a day on up to 6# twice a day. Or work up to full feed on this if a horse cannot eat hay.

I give my 30 yr old blind appy 2#(a large coffee can) of TE, a large coffee can of Alfalfa Pellets, and 2 full cans of shredded Beet Pulp TWICE a DAY. I forget the weights on the alf P and BP.. He is a hard keeper now due to missing teeth. He also gets chopped grass hay ( I chop it) to nibble on. I should probably just feed him the total equine but worry if I were to run out.

I would also give her oil, I've had good experiences with that. And cover her up if it's cold where you live so she doesn't have to use energy on keeping herself warm. A LOT of hay is also a must. All she can eat.

And then you have to remember that it has taken her 1 1/2 yea to loose the weight, so it will take more than 2-3 months to regain it. To avoid problems, do it slowly, be patient.

Shea - you feed three quarts of beet pulp and alfalfa pellets twice a day, not one quart - unless you are not feeding them the same amount I do.

And I told you so about the sweet feed!

Luv,

Mom

Sorry honey - you are right and I am wrong - it's a one quart scoop, and she gets a full scoop of each...