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Need a good feeding regime for new underweight rescue mare

1K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Saddlebag 
#1 ·
Hi all!

I recently rescued a 13-15 year old QH type mare from auction. She has little to no top teeth- vet thinks trauma, like being kicked in the face in her you her years. Apparently this causes her no issues eating though.

She is ribby and needs weight. I really need help with a good grain and feeding plan to put her on. It makes me nervous going into winter with an underweight horse.

I was looking into safe choice original which I've used before with great success but would like others opinions.

Thanks!



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#2 ·
she is cute. You could try some soaked alfalfa pellets, or dry pellets, she should be able to pick them up with her lips. Or some soaked beet pulp. My 33 yr old TB with no bottom teeth picks up the feed with his lips. He does make a mess. I always soak the beet pulp, helps soften it, and add water to the gut, beet pulp does expand a lot when it is wet.
 
#3 ·
What a cute mare!

Add a pound of Calf-Manna to her feed. In my area, it is less than 50 cents per pound, and it adds a lot of vitamins, plus protien, so you don't use a bunch of other supplements. This has done wonders for my 29 yo Paint, who had a lackluster appetite, and seemed sore in weird spots that the vet could not explain. Now, he eats all his hay, has put some muscle on his rear end, his feet are better, and we can rode him for more than 20 minutes. Believe me, it is amazing.
 
#4 ·
Senior feed is my go to for any horse over 5 as it has beet pulp and extra oils which help the malnourished horse as well as the senior horse. She may be fine with dry pellets, just something to watch and see how she does. To start feed two lbs 3 x daily if time permits but for sure morning and night along with free choice hay. No indication of cribbing?
 
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