Fattening up!

[pistolpete]

My friends shire cross has not got fat this summer which is unusual. Teeth etc been checked. She’s fine and happy but as she shares her field with my fatty is it realistic to try and fatten her up just by a bucket feed? I really don’t want my highland on ad-lib hay yet or possibly ever!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You can try but I've always fed ad lib forage to anything under weight and as long as they eat enough of it I've found it the best way to put the weight back on.

Alot of horses need that continuous intake of fibre to be able to maintain weight.

In your situation I would try high calorie stuff like Equijewel and micronised linseed and try and feed at least twice a day.

Thing is its November now the grass is only going to get less nutritious they should have started feeding something a bit earlier.

How thin is the horse is she rugged?

Also how old is she could it be cushings?

 

[Xmasha]

One of my mares was a bit less covered than usual after weaning her foal. Im having success feeding pink mash with a bit of linseed oil, plus haylage.

 

[dorsetladette]

Forage is probably the best IMHO.

But I've had good results adding linseed lozenges to a hard feed to add extra calories without increasing the feed size. It's incredible to see how quickly they pick up on such a small volume.

Also keeping her warm this winter will help her not loose to much more. Can the owner increase the weight of rug or layer up as it starts dropping colder?

Or is there an option for the thinner one to be separated for a few hours and have a higher calorie forage ration to increase her intake?

Is it a case that she can't afford to loose anymore over winter or that she needs to bulk up as already to lean?

 

[pistolpete]

She’s 20 so could be cushings. She runs really warm. Never seen her shiver when the highland is shaking! So she’s never rugged. Thank you for some great suggestions.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

She’s 20 so could be cushings. She runs really warm. Never seen her shiver when the highland is shaking! So she’s never rugged. Thank you for some great suggestions.

Cushings horses can tend to get to hot as they can't regulate there temperature like normal horses.

I would get her tested.

 

[pistolpete]

Forage is probably the best IMHO.

But I've had good results adding linseed lozenges to a hard feed to add extra calories without increasing the feed size. It's incredible to see how quickly they pick up on such a small volume.

Also keeping her warm this winter will help her not loose to much more. Can the owner increase the weight of rug or layer up as it starts dropping colder?

Or is there an option for the thinner one to be separated for a few hours and have a higher calorie forage ration to increase her intake?

Is it a case that she can't afford to loose anymore over winter or that she needs to bulk up as already to lean?

I don’t think she’s horrendously thin. Can’t feel ribs and yes may well separate if we have to. Not allowed to separate completely though. Yard owner funny about more tape!