How much more weight does he need to gain about?

This is my 36ish year old gelding Blue, He is severely lacking in the teeth department,he has top molars but only 4 on the bottom that aren't next to each other, the vet tried but wasn't able to pull the remaining 4 bottom. Last July we put him on Purina senior per her recommendations and saw no results, then I came on here and started doing research and peggysue turned me on triple crown senior, he's been on that since March along with alfalfa pellets and rice Bran, a few months ago I also added hard keeper solution and last week chopped hay.

This was 5/11/11 (still had a pretty thick winter coat)


5/27/11


And today, I'm having trouble finding pics from between even tho I know they exist


And just because he's handsome



Do you think he is making progress? I think so but it's very very slow! He was even skinnier right out of winter but his coat was so thick you couldn't see how skinny he was you could only feel it. The vet says he is perfectly healthy for his age and all we can do is just feed him his slop and if that doesn't work then there really isn't anything else. She kinda gave me the impression that we should just not even bother even tho there is nothing wrong with him. I've had this horse since I was 12(13 years) and I don't intend on giving up until he does. He shows no signs of that, he bullies the younger, bigger appy we have and runs around the pasture like he's 10

Ah he's lovely! Keep up the good work =) As long as he's bright eye'd, eats his slop (lol), and runs around like a ninny it's all good, don't give up on him until he gives up!

Hes adorable! Looks like he has a good home.
Posted via Mobile Device

He certainly is adorable, I love his little face. I think he looks much better, as you say his winter coat was hiding a lot.

It's really nice to hear of people who do not give up on their senior horses and fight to do the right thing by them! Thank you for doing that for your guy.

Honestly the TC is one of the best senior feeds I have ever dealt with! I use it rehabbing the underweight ones. It's mild and loaded with goodies. Where my Rascal is boarded there is a 37 yr old mare. She is absolutely amazing considering her age. Keep him going as long as he is happy:) and tell the vet phhhhhhhhhhttttttttttt

Thanks guys, I love him and I hope he lives forever lol, I know that's not possible, but I'm pushing for at least 50 :P he's gotten me through so much I can't imagine losing him.
Posted via Mobile Device

Rachel with his lack of teeth he looks GREAT!!! Keep up the good work

I think he looks wonderful! With the oldies, most of the time you are fighting to maintain the weight. I think he looks really great!

Some days I look at him and think "ya he is gaining weight, I can see it" then others I look and think "OMG he looks terrible, people driving by must think I starve him" My goal(which at this point seems unrealistic) is to have him fat by winter since he always drops weight once the grass dies, I'm hoping that this winter won't be as bad since I started the chopped hay but it's hard to ensure he gets it all since Legacy(our fatish appy) will finish his and then eat blue's too, I'm going to try to rig up a door on the stall(right now there is no door) with a spring so Blue can push it open when he is done but Leggy can't get in there and steal lol

Hi,

I agree with others that have said he's looking fine for his age. I think muscle wastage & that obvious sacroilliac/lumbar problem may make him seem lighter than he is. I wouldn't want to allow him to get fat, as that's not good for him, but just feed more 'chop' during winter, so he won't lose any/much. I think the TC would be OK aside from the molasses, so if you can find a similar alternative without that, I'd go with that instead. For eg. Happy Hooves or such.