weight and muscle tone

I have an Arabian who is about 35 years old. He is losing teeth and he is showing ribs. Also he has no muscle tone. He is on senior feed but it doesn't seem to be helping. The stable owner won't let me take him off the property because she is afraid people will think he's being mistreated. He isn't, he's just old and thin. I tried to lunge him, but was told not to because he doesn't have enough weight on him. How do I get weight and muscle on him. All he does is stand in his stall. Thank you.

Exercise is so important for senior horses. You can't build and maintain muscle mass without it. It helps improve appetite and mood as well as maintaining GI heath. They also get painfully stiff and stocked up wehn they can freely more around. Lunging small circles might be hard on him but hand walking or ponying can be great. Turn out in a drylot is better than nothing. How much senior feed does he get a day? If it's his sole ration, he should be getting around 15# a day. Try other brands if you're not seeing any results. If he still can chew, I'd include some high quality, fine stem hay to keep him busy and to provide the bulk and fiber that will help keep him warm as well as moving things along the intestinal tract. You can save a little money by mixing in some alfalfa pellets or cubes (25%). It will provide slightly more protein than the senior and I'd even add a good protein source (soybean flakes) so help build muscle.

Your BM seems more interested in her image than your horse. If your boy enjoys loading up and going somewhere, do it. Keeping him engaged and happy will have a more profound effect than anything you pump into him.

Take him for walks. Give him something new to look at. I agee, turnout is best.