Feeding a 26yr old

[fathorse]

Hello all

I have a 26yr old retired 12.2hh part bred welsh who has dropped alot of weight for the first time this winter and am looking for recommendations on what to feed him to help him gain weight.

Thanks.

 

[TGM]

As it sounds like this pony has not dropped weight before, I would be looking to see what the cause is. Have teeth been checked recently, as poor dentition is a common cause of older horses losing weight. Has there been any change in the pony's stabling/grazing/rugging routine, is the pony being bullied in the field etc? Does the pony show any other signs of illness - poor appetite, depressed behaviour, drinking/urinating more frequently etc?

Does the pony has access to good quality forage at all times, ie good grazing in the field and adlib good quality hay/haylage always available when stabled? What feed is the pony currently receiving?

How thin is the pony - can you see the ribs clearly? Could you post a photo?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

1st have his teeth checked if you haven't already done so.

My friends 30+ 14hh pony came out off winter better than ever this year with the addition of a fibre trug each night as well as her hay.

Fiber trug - Stubbs Scoop of Alfa pellets soaked and mixed with a couple of scoops of HiFi and a 1/2 scoop of fibre nuts.

This form a soft fibre replacement which is easliy eaten and digested (especially is teeth are getting a little worn).

She also ewat more hay now it is in a large hole net (think she struggled pulling out of smaller holes and she won't eat it off the floor).

 

[Three]

Definately keep an eye on teeth - they can deteriorate very quickly as they get older.

I usually get my 34 yo through the winter on 16+, linseed and sugar beet along with a probiotic/digestive additive. I also slosh oil & cider vinegar into his (and my others) feeds.

 

[teddyt]

Get teeth looked at. Feed ad lib hay. Unmollassed sugar beet, fibre nuts, linseed, grass nuts, equijewel are all possibilities for hard feed. Brewers yeast to help the digestive system digest fibre more efficiently.

 

[Kalees_mum]

Ditto everyone else I would first rule out teeth and any other health problems!

My 40yr old mare with teeth problems is feed on Baileys No 1 Cooked Cereal and Spillers Veteran Conditioning Mix with Speedi - Beet and Horsehage instead of hay! That's all I feed her and shes doing great weight wise!

 

[palomino698]

Get teeth checked, he may have a loose one that needs removal (not usually a difficult job), or sharp edges causing mouth ulcers.

My 33 year old Sec A stopped eating hay a few winters ago, the first year he dropped a huge amount of weight because he still wanted hay, now he's happy with a big tubtrug of hay-replacer. In winter I give him lots of Spillers Happy Hoof, with plenty of Speedi-beet, and in the worst weather he has oil, and soaked High Fibre Cubes added. He has a course of Pink Powder every so often. He comes in at night when he asks to, and is rugged because his enormous Cushing-y coat takes a week to dry if he gets soaking wet.