[adl2kdl2]

Hello all!
I have finally realized my life long dream and have gotten a 4 year old breeder's stock paint. He was rescued three months ago and very thin. I got him a month ago and have been feeding from previous owner's (the rescuer) suggestion-1 1/4 scoop sweet feed (horseman's edge), 4 cups beet pulp w/molasses to help put weight on and 1/2 cup corn oil. Being concerned about all the sugar I'm slowly changing him over to Strategy and beet pulp with no molasses plus a hand full of BOSS and 2 tbsp. cider vinegar twice aday plus 2 flakes of orchard/timothy in morning and 3 flakes at night. In your opinion am I doing right by him and his stall is always so full of poop. Is this because his body is getting rid of a bunch of stuff he doesn't need?
Thanks so much for any and all help.

 

[Solon]

Because he was previously very thin, the best thing you can do is contact your vet and work on developing a feeding program specific to your horse.

 

[Maverick101]

Contacting your vet is a good start. But actually a lot of vets don't know a lot about nutrition, so my suggestion would be to talk w a equine nutritionist.

I myself have had good luck putting "skinnies" on a senior feed to start (yes even if they are younger), as it has a higher fat content, as well as a broader range of vitamins n minerals that most thin horses have been lacking.
You could increase his oil, and also adding ground flax to the diet would be helpful as well. Im a huge fan of Beetpulp too, so definitely keep him on that
Just be careful when increasing feed, do it gradually so not to shock their system. Same goes for switching from one feed to another, a gradual change is best.

 

[Solon]

I wouldn't short change the vets knowledge about nutrition, that's kind of part of what they have to do to diagnosis issues like digestive ones.

 

[Maverick101]

If you want a basic answer yes, a vet can tell you about a horse nutrition and its needs. But an Equine nutritionist knows FAR more then most vets.....a vet spend maybe a few weeks on nutrition in school. Where as a equine nutritionist specializes in just that.....

So yes, ask you vet they can give you advice, not saying they cant. But if you want a nutrition plan for your horse that is beyond the basics, and tailor made for them and equine nutritionist is your better option.

 

[Meaghan1011]

i agree with everyone contact ur vet , they will know best what he needs,

 

[Peggysue]

Free Choice hay is the first thing to offer... but start him out slowly with flake every few hours depending on how bad he is...

do you have pics of him?