Feeding a horse with gut damage due to worm burden

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zoeshiloh

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Just wondered if anyone had tips for feeding a horse with quite a seriously damaged gut? She gets three hard feeds a day and adlib haylage at all times. She is an ok weight but I'd ideally like to see a bit more on her as the slightest bit of stress and she drops it overnight. She already has pink powder once a day, and someone has suggested live yoghurt. Does anyone else have ideas? She's been like this for three years and vet doesn't think gut will improve anymore. All ideas welcome as no expense spared when it comes to this girl
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Just wondered if anyone had tips for feeding a horse with quite a seriously damaged gut? She gets three hard feeds a day and adlib haylage at all times. She is an ok weight but I'd ideally like to see a bit more on her as the slightest bit of stress and she drops it overnight. She already has pink powder once a day, and someone has suggested live yoghurt. Does anyone else have ideas? She's been like this for three years and vet doesn't think gut will improve anymore. All ideas welcome as no expense spared when it comes to this girl
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If she were mine, I'd try feeding probiotics (I use Protexin for my mare, but there are loads available), corn or linseed oil, and Speedibeet (which mine love and is a really good forage).
I also feed mine a variety of hay and haylage so they have a choice, so you could try giving different types of forage too.
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are you thinking supplements or hard feed!

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Anything - I am interested in anything that might help her.

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Contact the Feed companies. They have professional nutrician experts who will be able to give you sound free advice.


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I've already had two nutritionists from feed companies come out, but they really only advise on things that help gain weight, not something that might help actual gut function.

She is currently getting;

H&P Nuts
Conditioning Mix
Linseed meal
Chaff
Soya Oil
Equijewel
Pink Powder
Skimmed Milk powder

I think I will try the live yoghurt and see how that goes.
 
I would look at Protexin's range for her. As her ability to digest feed effectively is compromised, the live yoghurt may not give her enough of a boost.

She is currently getting quite a few different sources of fats and oils, is there a particular reason for the variety? Its not a criticism, I'm just curious.

One of the things that you are already doing right is avoiding garlic, as it is mildly irritating to the digestive tract.
 
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