my horse has lost weight help please

I have a 13 yr old TB gelding that has lost weight and now I can't seem to get it back on him. I have asked at my local feed store and they aren't any help. Can someone please help me by suggesting what I can do to get his weight back up?Thanks in advance

you want something with a higher fat content than "normal" feeds...also, is he out on pasture, in a stall??

make sure he has access to hay 24/7 if he doesn't already
has he been wormed recently?
After you find a feed that is suitable, gradually increase it (not all at once)
beet pulp and chaff are great forages for horses that need some weight!
oh, and make sure he's drinking enough water

I would suggest this feed if you can find it (or something similar): Triple Crown Nutrition - Senior Formula

good luck!

Rice Bran Oil really helps but the weight on! Give er a try!

Strategy and grain or sweet feed mixed together worked wonders for my OTTB ... she got taller and really skinny, well not really skinny but i thought she was thin and that was the magic .. along with a flake of grass and alfalfa in the am and the same in the pm.

Good Luck!

My coach feeds the 'hard keepers' at our barn 1/2 cup of oil with their grain at supper (beetpulp,bran and pellets), and makes sure they always have full haynets. Works like a charm! Even on the older OTTBs.

thanks everyone I will go out and get some of this stuff today and get him started.

when was the last time the horses teeth were floated.?

First off what is the horse eating NOW??? many times weight loss is due to a lack of nutrition or stomach issues associated with grain products

My first recommendation is FREE CHOICE HAY as in all the hay the horse can/will eat daily...

Second is to remove all grain products and ensure proper nutrition

third is to increase the fat content ... which many times after doing the above two is not needed :)

Beet Pulp

I would avoid the high energy foods like alfalfa and sweet feed, but I agree with the free choice hay, beet pulp, rice bran, oil. I also agree that you need to look at the possiblity that his teeth might be bothering him and have a fecal count done.

Are there any other horses with him? Are any of them losing weight?