Feed for energy

[little_critter]

We had our first comp outing since September today. Last month I felt really positive about it; in between spooks Theo felt amazing!
This last week or so he’s felt totally flat and lethargic. I bumped into the vet on Monday and asked her to give him a quick once over and take bloods. She couldn’t see any physical reason for his lack of go, and the bloods showed normal except very slightly anaemic (28% when normal range is 30-47%)
She suggested a blood tonic which he started on Tuesday.
I think suggesting the tonic is a belt & braces approach. Had he seemed fit and well then I get the feeling no action would have been suggested based in his bloods, but because he’s feeling lethargic she suggested we try the tonic to see if it helps.

Today we went to the comp, struggled through warmup and the first test. I withdrew from the second test because neither of us would have benefitted from another struggle. I feel he looks genuinely tired rather than lacking interest / motivation. After 30 minutes light work this morning (lots of walk breaks in the warm up because I could feel he had nothing in the tank) he looked tired and despite being cold he’d worked up a slight sweat on his stifle. For the work we had done I wouldn’t have expected that.
The vet has advised it might take a week or two for the tonic to show results, she suggested looking at his feed too.

Now he’s a good doer who is currently around spot on with his weight. He’s fed a balancer and a molasses free chaff (Dengie healthy hoof). He has pretty much ad-lib haylage. So he’s not getting many calories from his hard feed.
a) if a horse isn’t dropping weight, would you look at feeding more calories? Do I risk just having a fatter horse with no energy?
b) he’s been a spooky bugger to school recently, if I were to change hard feed, what could you suggest to give me “safe” energy?

I will be keeping in contact with the vet, she suggested if there’s no change after changing his feed she will repeat bloods.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

Is the spookiness a recent change in behaviour? Could be linked?

I've got one that's been on blood tonic as bloods showed low white & red b.cells. 2nd set showed a further drop! Tonic from vets pushed them back up.

Adding oil could be better than extra feed. I always feed micronised linseed.

 

[little_critter]

The spookiness is just him reacting to schooling under lights in the winter. This is our first winter at this yard and the school is more spooky, but he used to be reactive through winter under lights at the old yard too.

That’s a thought about linseed, thanks.

 

[Goldenstar]

I am very straightforward with this issue I give them oats and see what happens .
You need to get red cell level normal as well .
Has he seen a physio recently if not I would just see if a session changes how he feels and if they pick anything different up .
I have got two of mine on extra oats and hard work levels of balancer atm they both just needed a bit more stamina than they had in hard dressage training sessions .
It’s is a time of year when some horses just begin to be a bit off .
The other thing I do is tie them up without rugs in the sun any chance I get .

 

[little_critter]

He saw the physio in December, she commented that he was the best she’d seen him. That was when he was feeling amazing (spooky, but engaged and supple too). Now I don’t have anything to try to engage, there’s just nothing coming from the back end.

 

[Goldenstar]

Do you think a bute trial might be a good idea ?
I think I would have the physio back if she feels something different it would be a clue .

 

[Goldenstar]

Physio
Then depending on what you find perhaps a bute trial .

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Since he's been spooky, anaemic, and flat, I would consider ulcers, actually. All 3 of those things can be a result of ulcers. I hate to be the "it's ulcers" person, but it is worth a thought in this case, I think.

I have a relatively good doer but he actually eats a lot when in work. I add oats, and plenty of protein when he's in work.

 

[little_critter]

Since he's been spooky, anaemic, and flat, I would consider ulcers, actually. All 3 of those things can be a result of ulcers. I hate to be the "it's ulcers" person, but it is worth a thought in this case, I think.

I have a relatively good doer but he actually eats a lot when in work. I add oats, and plenty of protein when he's in work.

Thanks. I’m keeping in touch with the vet. If no change in the next few weeks I’ll raise ulcers as something to consider.