Feed to put weight on old horse

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moon_drop

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Right my old boy is looking really thin, he has Epilepsy so it has to be non heating, but put lots of weight on
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He's 14.1hh, 26yrs old because of his Epilepsy he is not out at grass. he's wormed every 12 weeks, at the moment hes on apple chaff, cool mix and sugar beet

Any ideas ?
 
I use the Spillers Senior Conditioning Mix, Dengie Senior Hi Fi chaff, sugar beet and good dash of oil on my 23 yr old & find this keeps the weight on no problem. In winter I give him the the recommended quantity on the bag and divide it over 4 feeds plus ad-lib quality haylage.
 
What does he have in terms of forage - ie hay/haylage/hay replacers? If you are feeding long forage like hay or haylage, have you considered giving him a big tub of a hay replacer overnight - there are various things you can use, Readigrass, Happy Hoof, soaked High Fibre cubes or AlfaBeet. Adding oil to his feeds can also add extra calories.

You also need to get to the root of why he has started to lose weight - perhaps a vet check is in order, plus teeth check and worm count if you haven't already done so.
 
Will soaked oats send him loopy?

is boiled barley, the same as cooked barley sorry if am being think
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He's been checked by the vet and his teeth aren't the best but still in working order. Vet said its just old age and that the Epilepsy has taken the best out of him.
 
No, it won't send him loopy, oats being fizzy food is a complete myth, trust me I studied it. Here is a fact sheet-

"This is a diet I reccomend for all horses but especially for horses that are not 'doing well' or showing dietary problems like spots or sweet itch or just simply being 'hyper'. It suits all horses and is much more cost effective as well as healthier.

OATS are classed as both as a herb and a food, they are a strength-giving, low in starch but high in minerals. Also rich in Vitamin B, they contain alkaloids, glycosides and fixed oils which are an important source of vitamine E. They are a nerve tonic and bone building and contrary to modern day thinking, are the best possible feed for horses that are in work. The best way to feed them is soaked as explained here.

Soaked whole oats, soaked for 12-24 hours in cold water, this makes the oat a living enzyme again, which enables the horse to digest them more easily. Because they are now a living enzyme and easier to digested, the energy is released into the system quicker and without any build up of lactic acid, so no tying up, and also the horses hold their weight better, also as the starches are broken down easier it does not affect the temperment, also the benefits of soaking inclunde the fact that any chemical residue from sprays etc...are washed away, but not the goodness of the oat, also as vit E is in the outer husk of the oat, after soaking it becomes absorbable. The oats should be drained if possible overnight or for at least 1 and a half hours before starting to feed, and enough can be put up to last a whole day. If they are put up for example at 5 pm and drained at 5 pm the next evening, once a routine is established it is very simple, all you need is a hessain sack and a spare dustbin.

In light work I would suggest approx 2 to 3 lb of oats twice a day with alfalfa (weigh soaked oats not dry) and of course good hay. The amount can be increased gradually if and when work increases.

Carrots are excellent for the liver and the digestive system and full of calcium. Always make sure they are sliced sideways to avoid choke, another good vegetable that horses like is turnips or swedes, cut half a turnip into the feed trough twice a week to let them play with it, it is very nutritous.

The best supplement to feed in seaweed, one 15ml measure once a day, it is high in minerals and trace elements. It is rich in copper iron magnesium and phosphorus silicon and sulphur. The iodine content, which is a supreme gland builder and conditioner, reduces excess fatty tissue and removes toxic elements, along with iron which of course is premier importance to the blood, promoting oxygen absorbtion and building red corpuscules.

Alfalfa is classed as a herb cos it is very deep rooting, it is a rich source of calcium and also contains chlorine, magnesium, phosph.. potass.. sodium and sulphur..it is also rich in vits. It is high in protein, it is also a diuretic and more importantly it has 8 digestive enzymes in it which stimulate the digestive system, enabling the proper assimilation of the nutrients provided. It is a very good 'balancer' to be fed with oats, although it is a complete feed in its own right. To add to the oat diet add a double handfull mixed in with each feed.

Sugar beet, prefably unmolassed helps to keep condition on, it is also good for keeping bowels working, and is high in calcium.

A bran mash twice a week with a small handfull of epsom salts to keep their system clean, this has become unfashionable due to modern day nutritionists, however it is as good for horses nowadays as it was in the past. Cider vinegar internally, is good for them, an egg cupfull daily, this is also excellent used externally for any sore and inflamed joints.

Salt should be available, the best source is rock salt, not the man made licks but the rock salt that is dug out of the ground and many feed merchants sell it.

For those horses that need to put on weight or hold condition boiled barley linseed and flaked maize are all good fattening foods.

And finally but equally important is good quality hay. If you have to feed haylage for some reason than feed good quality oat straw to bulk them up.

I realise that this diet is 'old fashioned' and that the modern day nutritionists say that it is bad for horses, however, as it was all that horses were fed in the past, and the horses were far fitter, healthier, les colics, ulcers, hardly any sweet itch, fewer cases of tying up, fewer cases of fractures and bursting, far less cases of laminitis, it think the evidence speaks for itself, and I am confident that you will be delighted with the results, apart from the fact that it will save you a lot of money!!

For the best source of unmolassed sugar beet and Alfalfa contact a company called simple systems tel no 01371 870753 Simple systems also provide grass nuts and other beneficial feeds.

Any futher questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact me

Ellen Collinson
Manor Farm
Saxby
Melton Mowbray
Leics
LEI 2RR"

I just boiled the barley myself, as I'm a farmer we have plenty around, and therefore literally free.

The barley/sugarbeet diet put weight back on my 24yo cob straight away. She lost a LOT of weight a few winters back.
 
You soak the barley in water for 12 hours then boil it until the grains are starting to split and the water has been absorbed.
I am also a fan of Spillers Senior Conditioning Mix.
Blue Chip helps to put on condition as well.
 
simple systems pre-cooked linseed meal
D&H buildup cubes - if teeth are not in good nick these can be watered enough to make them a 'mash'
 
I have found that Allen and Page Calm and Condition is very good for this. You just put it in the bowl, add the same amount of cold water, leave to stand for a few minutes and then mix with chaff.
 
My old mare used to have Alfa A
Build Up
Simple Systems Linseed
Soaked Barley Rings
Tiger Oats
Hi Fibre Cubes (didn't eat hay)
Speedibeet
Naf pink powder
Red Cell
Loads of fruit & veg
Corn Oil



That lot was alll needed to keep her weight on, and se lived to 30. Aso had her teeth done 3 times a year.
 
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