Barefoot, Boxrest, Boredom now going to need weightgain

[be positive]

I have a horse returning tomorrow from hospital, he went in on Monday and following extensive tests only required a minor op which was able to be done standing.
He has however now been on boxrest for over 6 weeks, for reasons I do not wish to go into at the moment, he was doing really well but has become more anxious as time has gone on, he had lost some weight before going away and with the stress, all the tests most needing sedation to do, he is bound to have dropped off more.
He will continue with adlib forage, a mix of hay and haylage, fast fibre, some redigrass which he loves plus supplements but this is not going to be enough, he will not eat any more ff, he leaves some if I increase the amount so any ideas for low energy, tasty feed that will do no harm to his feet. He will be fed 4 times a day.

I am thinking speedibeet but any other suggestions welcome.

Linseed is out as when he was on it earlier in the winter his legs filled, despite being out at night, they went down as soon as I stopped feeding it, so not prepared to risk it again.

All the cakes have gone but there are choccy biscuits and wine waiting

 

[Izzwizz]

You could try looking into the Ready Mash Soft N Soak range and see if there is anything suitable to feed. The oldies on our yard have the Extra one, smells gorgeous when made with warm water, and it keeps the weight on them.. one of them hardly has any teeth and is 35yrs old.

They may have a website with a feed advice line so you could check its suitable for your horse.

 

[TwoStroke]

I've heard ers pellets mentioned lately. Do his legs fill on oil, too? There are also - dare I mention it - the topspec cool condition cubes which seem to be ok for feet. Or spillers high fibre cubes, though they're not particularly conditioning. Possibly also Rowan and Barbary Solutions Mash.

Guessing oats are out?

 

[Leg_end]

I would add alfalfa pellets (dengie ones) if he's not sensitive, coolstance copra and if those two aren't enough, I'd add oats.

 

[be positive]

I've heard ers pellets mentioned lately. Do his legs fill on oil, too? There are also - dare I mention it - the topspec cool condition cubes which seem to be ok for feet. Or spillers high fibre cubes, though they're not particularly conditioning. Possibly also Rowan and Barbary Solutions Mash.

Guessing oats are out?

Oil should be ok never had a problem with him before when on it, the ready mash is full of cereal and 18% starch I hadn't thought of the high fibre cubes they may be ideal to give him something more interesting to chew on rather than more slop which can be rather boring.

I am hoping he has not lost too much but facing 10 more weeks in he is not a greedy horse so will need keeping interested in his feed but has become rather energetic so I daren't give too much energy food he will be manic, as it is I have had to use sedalin every now and again to stop the leaping, bucking and squealing

I think veg oil, and hi fibre cubes to start, thanks

 

[TwoStroke]

Oh yes - copra, good call leg_end. The rowan and barbury mash (not 100% sure on name) is very low sugar and starch, but a bit pricey. There's pure feeds, too, but also pricey. Grass nuts may also be an option, & check out Halleys feeds - they do various chops, but also fibre blocks which are good boredom breakers for box rest.

Good luck, hope it goes calmly!

 

[be positive]

Oh yes - copra, good call leg_end. The rowan and barbury mash (not 100% sure on name) is very low sugar and starch, but a bit pricey. There's pure feeds, too, but also pricey. Grass nuts may also be an option, & check out Halleys feeds - they do various chops, but also fibre blocks which are good boredom breakers for box rest.

Good luck, hope it goes calmly!

He can have a few alfalfa pellets, have been using them forgot in my OP, I did think of trying copra, going to try and get a sample from a friend that I think uses it and see what he thinks, it is just getting him to hold weight without blowing his brain.

Vet has a lot to answer for, he should have been diagnosed weeks ago but she would not xray until I demanded she did so he had a fractured splint bone which has now been removed but he has done 6 weeks while she treated his strained ligaments, which were not damaged at all

 

[Kat]

I see both have been suggested now but I've used sunflower oil for my stressy poor doer with success, and coolstance copra was on my list to try next.

Good luck. I feel your pain! This type are a nightmare to keep weight on.