Feed for horse with partial intestine removed

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Crosshill Pacers

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Hi all,

Looking for a bit of advice. OH bought a broodmare in the spring and when she arrived she was quite underweight.

She improved over the summer but started to lose condition coming into the autumn when the other mares were still thriving. OH's friend was talking to a friend of the previous owner at the races around this time who remarked 'he'll have a job keeping weight on her in the winter, what with her having some of her intestine removed'.

This was pretty big news to OH and me, as you can imagine. We've been unable to find out when she had the operation or how much was removed, but it certainly makes sense of her condition when she arrived (and our subsequent troubles).

She's currently turned out 24/7 on decent grass for this time of year with ad lib haylage, and has a scoop each of stud and breeding mix and beet pulp daily.

I said that I'd consult you lot on here in case someone else has a horse who has had a similar op to see what you're feeding them - at present she's underweight in terms of how we'd like to see her, but she's maintaining that weight and has been for the last month or so. She's also in foal and due to foal at the beginning of June.

Anybody willing to help?
 
I think it will depend on which bit and how much is missing. Can you find the vet that did it? I'd call a feed company and ask advice, it sounds as though she needs extra calories from something she can digest.
 
I would be adding a mug of micronised linseed for condition - it's brilliant stuff and great for gut health. You don't say if the feeds are split accross 2? I would want to be giving at least 2 feeds maybe split to 3 of no more than 2kg dry weight in each per day. The simple change of splitting feed and giving it spaced out can aid digestion and weight gain.
 
Last edited:
Blurr said:
I think it will depend on which bit and how much is missing. Can you find the vet that did it? I'd call a feed company and ask advice, it sounds as though she needs extra calories from something she can digest.
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Unfortunately the previous owner is being quite difficult to pin down to discuss the matter (she was bought through a third party and clearly her diet wasn't being managed that well before). We also don't know when she had the op, as OH followed her racing career closely and can't pinpoint a time it could have happened. We'll have to do some more digging I think.

YasandCrystal said:
I would be adding a mug of micronised linseed for condition - it's brilliant stuff and great for gut health. You don't say if the feeds are split accross 2? I would want to be giving at least 2 feeds maybe split to 3 of no more than 2kg dry weight in each per day. The simple change of splitting feed and giving it spaced out can aid digestion and weight gain.
Click to expand...

Yes the feeds are split across two (sorry should have added that). Will try the micronised linseed, I hear that being suggested a lot on here and elsewhere. I didn't think it was a case of increasing the amount of food she's getting, I just want to figure out what's best for her in terms of being able to digest it properly. Poor thing hasn't had the easiest of rides but she's such a sweetheart. The other mare that came to OH in shocking condition is a different horse 18 months down the line and I want that for this mare too!

Thanks for the suggestions :)
 
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