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Can't get horses weight up

6K views 52 replies 14 participants last post by  NikkasGirl98 
#1 ·
I have 4 horses and all are lower in weight...not skinny but I can see their ribs a bit. I feed them 2 huge flakes of alfalfa in the morning and 2 huge flakes of 3way hay at night...and by huge I mean 5-6 inch thick flakes....but they are all still a little ribby. I live in CA and heard that the sand can take the nutrients away and my vet only feeds her horses a big handful of alfalfa in the morning and night and her horses are FAT...I just feel like I'm dumping hay in these guys and it's just not helping. I do practice for rodeo everyday with 1 or 2 of them but they really aren't in any serious work. And my dad says that if we have to feed them any more hay that we're going to have to sell one or two.....please help!!
 
#2 ·
Ok how big are the flakes weight wise?? Size means nothing. If its an average size 70-100lb bale then you are probably only feeding 20lbs per feeding at best. Each horse should be getting roughly 20lbs per day. 1.5-2% of body weight so a 1000lb horse should get about 20lbs per day.

So if you are only feeding 40lbs per day for 4 horses that is half of their daily requirement. You need to feed more hay.
 
#10 ·
no, the bales....each flake is approximately 8-10lbs each.
The sand is possible but they do get psyllium powder for a week once a month to clean out their systems. They haven't had a vet check because my dad doesn't want to pay all that money when they really aren't that bad...they are not starving in any way. I just want to know why I can't get them rounded off and cover the ribs the rest of the way.
 
#9 ·
You could ask your vet if she thinks you are feeding enough, its hard to say without knowing the weight of the hay. You could always add a fat supplement to their diet like ricebran- its very inexpensive and it will give them shiny coats and add extra calories without making them hot.

Do they get hay only or hay and a grain? If they are on hay only they may be lacking in certain minerals etc if not on a supplement. You can always have the hay tested and see what its missing.

As much as no one wants to hear it, if what it takes is more food and its not in the budget, it may be in the horse's best interest to downsize the herd so they can all be at a healthy weight.

Best of luck!
 
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#12 ·
My vet thinks i'm feeding waay morethan enough. They just get the alfalfe and 3way hay. but they to get an alfalfa/grain pellet and psyllium mix for a week once a month to help with sand. the flakes are 8-10lbs each. they get 2 different mineral salt licks too. We have the money...my dad is just stubborn...and they are getting alot of hay/alfalfa...to the point that they are becoming uniterested then come back and eat more later....I'm just confused :P
 
#11 ·
They need to see a vet. They probably have worms and possibly some other health problems but only your vet can figure it out. If your dad isn't willing to properly care for the horses then they need to go to someone who will.

Can you at least call the vet and ask advice?
 
#14 ·
I'm not aiming it at you but rather your dad. Since your dad pays the bills you are not really in control of how they get cared for. Can you at least ask the vet for advice since they think you are already feeding enough?

Have their teeth been done in the last year?

It might be time for a powerpac of worming which if your dad won't spend the money on the vet he probably won't spend the money on panacur powerpac since that will run you about $60 per horse.
 
#16 ·
It sounds like you are doing the best you can, it sounds like you are on good terms with your vet, you could probably bring a fecal sample in to them for cheap (maybe they will give you a discount for four?) and have them see if there is a worm issue before going out and buying wormer. If there is a worm issue, they will be able to tell you what wormer to use for the best results. You can tell your dad it will save you money in the long run, because if they DO have a worm load, you might be able to feed less with more effect if it is taken care of.

I don't think hay analysis is very expensive if you want to have your hay tested to be safe. All stuff that can save you money in the long run!
 
#21 ·
Did they drop weight recently or is this how theyve been for awhile and you have problems getting their weight up?

How long have you had them and how long have you had this particular feed regime going on? (Takes alot more time to add weight than to drop weight).

And, what type of horses are they? ( some are stockier than others, and if theyve been this way for awhile could be their build) young? Old?

Do you have pictures? Maybe give the vet pictures? I know ive been flat broke before and my vet has been very willing to consult with me about various things.

Good advice so far, but these are questions that enter my head that may play a factor.
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#25 ·
Did they drop weight recently or is this how theyve been for awhile and you have problems getting their weight up?

How long have you had them and how long have you had this particular feed regime going on? (Takes alot more time to add weight than to drop weight).

And, what type of horses are they? ( some are stockier than others, and if theyve been this way for awhile could be their build) young? Old?

Do you have pictures? Maybe give the vet pictures? I know ive been flat broke before and my vet has been very willing to consult with me about various things.

Good advice so far, but these are questions that enter my head that may play a factor.
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they've been like this for a while...I've never had a fat horse. But they ARE NOT starving like everyone is startingto think. I've had these horses for several years and they've been eating this diet for the past 1-2 years...they used to get plain ol hay and we stepped it up to 3way and Alfalfa when we moved to CA from WA 1 1/2 years ago. 3 are APHA one is a Pinto. all under 8 years old. I don't know how to add a pic but I would if I could. thanks for your help!!
 
#22 ·
Have your horses been dewormed lately? What worms were covered in the last worming? It's possible that the previous wormer did not cover a worm that your horse may have picked up.
Perhaps you should consider a supplement or grain? I also put vegetable oil in my horses' grain- it makes for a healthier coat and it's high in fat!
I fed my appy beet-pulp over the summer when he had trouble with his weight, it worked wonders! I usually soaked it in water first, it made it easier for him to get down and it lasted much longer!
I was also recently informed that message therapy can help hard(er) keepers because it bulids muscle mass without exercise. This is typically expensive but you can pick up some own techiniques by just watching others do it.
Good luck!
 
#28 ·
Do they have bellies even though you can see ribs? Seeing ribs is skinny on a stock horse. You should be able to feel but not see them. I'm still guessing worms since its a herd issue and not just one horse. Alfalfa is good for putting on weight.

To post a picture you go to the advanced tab and click on the attachment button.
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#29 ·
if you click on the paper clip it will take you to a spot to load your pic, select browse then go to your control panel and go under pictures if you have them downloaded on your computer, dbl click on pic and it will load. :) good luck...we feed a good quality grass hay and plenty of it and our horses winter on the round side, however they are also pastured are always on the move (we have winter too, snow, freezing temps, the whole bit). i also have a mineral tub out always. maybe going back to your old way of feeding and add a tub or block is what would be better for them and your dads pocket..ive had rescue horses gain great weight feeding them just like i feed mine.
 
#30 ·
If all of them look like this, you are feeding either poor quality hay, or not feeding enough.

Vet can test hay for you.

But you need to be upping grain too.

I go through 1 bale a day of small square for 2 horses, and if they clean that up good, I put more out.

You need to do something, and also need to quit riding them until they get weight on.
 
#31 ·
Ok I'm in Australia so the feeds available here are going to be different BUT I've brought home a 27 yr old mare in an emaciated state and got weight on her in six weeks. This was my feeding regimen with her (I'm not saying you need to do this but this will give you an idea of how easy it is to get weight on a poor horse):
Morning - one or two biscuits of hay (we call a flake a biscuit) and hay varieties I used were rye grass, oaten hay and then I introduced Lucerne hay PLUS two dippers of Maxi Soy prepared feed Maxisoy+ Australia

Mid-morning - a biscuit of hay

Lunch - a biscuit of hay + one scoop of Gumnuts prepared feed for older horses
Mitavite - Scientifically Balanced Feeds

Late Afternoon - a biscuit of hay

Night feed - 2 bisuits of hay + 2 dippers of Maxi Soy.

I gradually built up the quantities, starting off with simply rye grass hay and 1/4 of the quantities of prepared feed. But in the six weeks we had her before she crossed the bridge, she went from emaciated to nearly normal body weight. She died of old age, but had she not been starved by her previous owners, she may have lived a much longer life. We know she had been a brood mare and had foaled last season.

So my suggestions are: introduce a good quality prepared and complete feed; change hay suppliers or at least find out what composition your current hay supply has (there is so much variation in hay quality which affects its nutritional make-up); separate the horses and weight each animal's feed and ensure each animal only eats its own feed; accurately weigh each horse now to determine its actual volume requirements (weight of feed per day each horse needs to gain weight, not maintain); take photos of each animal now so you can monitor their progress and; ensure each horse has a thorough examination by a trusted vet as there are so many problems that are indicated by poorer body condition. Best of luck...your horses can't speak for themselves so it's up to you to speak up for them and maybe it would be best to re-home one so they can all be cared for to the level they each require.
 
#32 ·
Love gumnuts and maxisoy/speedi beet, we are using it regularly for our old gelding, but ended up adding a feed called 'weight lifter calm' that is brought up to us from Victoria.
Weight Lifter is an amazing food for him, as he has about 4-6 teeth left he really relies on stuff we can soak, so he doesn't have to have anything hard to chew on. On a body mass scale (visual) he went from about a 2-3 to a comfortable 5.

Good luck with your four, if your dad isn't up for spending more money on different feeds (like hard feed as well as supplemental hay), then it may be better to let one go. But then again, if you are happy with how they look in general, and they are up to date with everything, there's not really much anyone can say... good luck :)
 
#33 ·
Love gumnuts and maxisoy/speedi beet, we are using it regularly for our old gelding, but ended up adding a feed called 'weight lifter calm' that is brought up to us from Victoria.
Weight Lifter is an amazing food for him, as he has about 4-6 teeth left he really relies on stuff we can soak, so he doesn't have to have anything hard to chew on. On a body mass scale (visual) he went from about a 2-3 to a comfortable 5.

Good luck with your four, if your dad isn't up for spending more money on different feeds (like hard feed as well as supplemental hay), then it may be better to let one go. But then again, if you are happy with how they look in general, and they are up to date with everything, there's not really much anyone can say... good luck :)
We use weight lifter too from time to time - isn't it fantastic! Good to see another Aussie in the thread too...I'm sure we've all hard hard keepers or know someone who has. :-(
 
#34 ·
First of all, weigh your flakes, that's all I can say. I've been told by every hay seller so far that bales weigh 110lbs but have yet to see a bale which actually does....maybe the ones they keep.

How do I know? I weigh every serving for my horses. And a 4-5" flake if alfalfa weighs about 7 lbs, 3-way even less.
Then it depends on the quality, especially of the 3way. Could be all straw, when baled late=very little nutrition.
Do they clean up the hay completely, also the 3way? If yes, they need more. Period. Or something extra. If you give them some sort of feed one week out of the month for the psyllium, why not the whole time? That might be just what they need extra. Could be alfalfa pellets with some oil or other fat source, and a vitamin/mineral supplement. The blocks DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT, are hard to get enough off. They're meant for cattle.

Try to get some pics up:)
Another way to see if they're underweight : Google the Henneke Body Condition Score, print out the instructions and score every horse. If they're below 4,5 they're too skinny. That your dad might just understand....it's being used by vets. If they all come out at around 5, yo have nothing to worry about:)
 
#35 ·
If they`ve always been in this condition they may be just fine, and rounding off cohld make them fat. Its harder to say without pictures. With their age i would say they are full grown (no growth spurt issues). QH horses tend be to stocky, but theres been an influx of lighter breeds making for slimmer QH, so hard to tell from that.

As a general rule, ya cant really get around adding weight without spending more money in some way or another.

P.S do you only use uvermetim
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