Feeding advice for Emaciated Shetland

T

tillytime

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 October 2010
Messages
141
Visit site
What would people be feeding a sevely underweight shetland?

He was out on grass, but currently being kept stabled. He won't eat hay / haylage.
Had teeth / worming etc done.
Currently on happy hoof chaff (in feed and in bucket as hay replacement) speedibeet, hi-fibre nuts (in feed and in activity ball)! Occasional grass .... when we find a patch that isn't dead!!!
 
Have you tried readigrass??

It may be worth ringing somewhere like Redwings for some advice.

And cut out the activity ball - he doesn't need to work for his feed at this stage.

Also, getting him out with hay will help stimulate his appetite (hopefully).
 
I second the ready grass
depends on y he is emaciated

you have to put weight on slowly maybe some sugar-beet with some complete nuts -and chaff some supplements to make sure he is getting everything he needs.


The important thing is dont feed him up to quick as it could cause colic or other problems to his system

fibergy is a good hay re-placer till he starts to eat hay .

when my mare went of hay due to hunting i got her back by fibergy
 
He was a neglected pony I rescued.

Basically, he only had access to a 10 foot square of ground that was thread bare, and was completely exposed 100% to the elements. He is not thought to have a medical reason for weight loss.
I give him the ball for something to do ... he seems to love to forage so this keeps him occupied. He loves it. He does have easy to access food in buckets too which he seems to really enjoy.

Its difficult to get advise on feeding a shetland up as every thinks of shetlands as living off of fresh air and the battle being reversed, so every advising food for laminitics.

Should I go with the laminitic food, or would people not worry about that, and go with something like alfa a or something.

He is left with hay / haylage in his stable and in the field, but shows no interest in it. When he first came to me he would have a little nibble of it, but it seems he has been spoilt with expensive taste and now wants to live off of chaff etc.

I will definately look at getting advised from Redwings or similar right away. And will also look and the other thread suggested.

I will look into trying him on readigrass too.


Thank you.
 
May be worth trying a different Hayledge brand.
My shettie can't eat hay as he gets a cough.
We had a new batch of Hayledge from out regular supplier, neither horse or pony would eat it.
Supplier bought a different batch. Horse now eating it, shettie refuses still.
Shettie Currently on Horsehage green, as refuses to eat the blue (high fi). He's a flippin nuisance.
In reference to your pony, have you had bloods done to check Liver and kidney function as both can cause weight loss.
How old is the pony, if elderly also get a Cushings test.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on - poor little chap
 
Last edited:
Still feed the laminitic friendly feeds - unmollassedhay chop, or fast fibre.

If he has had no food he will gain weight.

Fibre is the best way so ad lib forage, and use something like linseed (micronised) as its low sugar but conditioning. Have a look for the box of frogs thread and you will see all the advice on there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top