Feeding a problem horse...

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Sneezy

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My TB has always been a bit on the skinny side, but he's starting to drop weight again. He's a it yoyo like with his weight and goes through stages where he looks ok, but at the moment I can see quite a few ribs....just makes me feel a bit down! He's currently fed one scoop of alfa oil, one scoop of topspec cool condition cubes, one cup of equilibra and one and a half scoops of sugabeet, all with oil twice daily (or if he's gonna be in I'll give him three slightly smaller feeds). He's on ad-lib hay, is well rugged up (not clipped either because he never grows a coat!), in during the night and out a fair bit during the day (on fairly good grass)....but he still refuses to gain weight!

Problem being - he's allergic to barley and is quite stressy. Any pointers as to what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks

x
 
I would try something like Suregrow or blue chip (prefer suregrow and it's cheaper) included in the feed. Also up his forage to as much as he will eat. The arab that I had on loan went through a really skinny patch and everything that we gave her to eat just made her more stressy so I understand the problem. What solved it was actually some time off in the stable with adlib hay and a small feed (1/2 scoop H+P nuts and 1 scoop chaff) daily, she put on the weight in no time and was much more relaxed at the end of it once we brought her back into work, she seemed happier and more settled in where she was living and it really really helped.

PM me if you want any more advice, I'm open to queries.
 
You can feed alot more alfa oil than you are currently feeding, J was up to 6 scoops a day on the advice from dengie. Might be worth trying. Also fif he tolerates the alfa oil, maybe try swapping the beet to alfa beet which can be more conditioning.

Mine is a nightmare too, he is cereal and suger intolerant, has had ulcers and is as sharp as they come
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def agree with madhector on the alfa oil feed, phone dengie and talk to them or email through the website, there brilliant for advice on feeding and dont even always recommend their own products - very helpful feedline people!

rocky1 - is suregrow ok for feeding any age of horse? id never heard of it until seen your reply above, cheaper than bluechip being what made me take interest! looked at it on D & H website but it doesnt have specific age for feeding just says for broodmares and growing horses!
 
Suregrow can be fed to horses of any age and, just like any balancer, has an insignificant calorie content and as such, will not put on weight. Balancers contain vits, mins and protein so should improve the "quality" of the horse's condition and, if they contain a yeast culture, may help the horse get the most out of the rest of his diet.

The only way to put on weight is to provide more calories whilst maintaining a balanced diet containing the other nutrients, like protein which is essential to build muscle, and vits and mins which are needed for general health, well-being and performance.

Alfalfa is a great source of fibre calories and some other nutrients but fed in the larger quantities it will over supply protein which is NOT a source of energy (calories). This is not dangerous per se but, when the body processes it, it produces extra urea which means more pee!! Not so good for a stabled horse at this time of year.

I would definitely contact a feed company helpline for advice, do what they say and ask them how long it should take to make a difference. If it doesn't seem to work in that time, it's probably then worth going back to the same nutritionist for further suggestions. At least that way you can take a consistent approach.
 
I know a couple of people with TB's in the same situation, 24hr turnout seems to have solved the problem for them. Not for everyone I know, but they seemed to thrive on being allowed to be horses, with plenty of good grass and the ability to move around plenty when they want too, seems to have stopped them stresasing the weight off.
 
i would get his teeth seen to if there is no problems keep him on that feed but up it also you can get corn oil from normal supermarkets this will help with it to if this doesnt work try introducing weightgain mix if this doesnt work maybe getting a vet to have a look p.s got to consider that thoughbreds arnt the best of keepers
 
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