Feeding for weight gain in a 21 yr old field kept warmblood

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lyndsayberesford

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I have a 17h 21 yr old warmblood, that has lost a bit of weight and condition so far this winter. he gets haylege at the moment twice a day but has still lost a bit, worming all up to date and rugged up (still has a big thick coat of his own too)

I want a feed(s) that is easy to feed (ie no soaking etc), that definitely wont give him any more energy (already has too much energy and charges round his fields) as he gets ridden by novice riders a couple of times a week.

I was thinking Baileys conditioning cubes and good old fashioned barley rings

Is this a good idea or is there something better for him?
 
If he's otherwise well, then I'd initially be going for more forage, for my old boy I found micronized linseed and vegetable oil helped a lot. Have you considered liver fluke - susceptible areas are wet with sheep/cattle nearby but I've also read that it can be carried on haylage, been several threads on here. Also assume teeth have been checked too.
 
Yes he has haylege in the morning first thing and then again at 5pm. so there are periods where he isnt eating haylege. I might top up with hay, as dont want to feed any more haylege as it is fairly rich haylege.

His teeth are ok. Other than a little bit of weight loss he is in great health. Lots of energy, glossy coat etc.

I wouldnt be putting him on any lifelong drugs at his age, so prascend and testing for cushings are out.

Just think its lack of grass etc over winter and its his first winter out as he wont stay in a stable now (tries climbing walls and jumping over stable door)
 
I'd make sure he has hay or haylage ad-lib before putting him onto any conditioning feeds. Adding oil or micronised linseed to his current feed would help too, without fizzing him up.
 
thanks for that, i am going to give ad lib hay and still allow him to have his morning and evening haylege as his companion has that so it would be too difficult to separate them.
 
lyndsayberesford said:
I wouldnt be putting him on any lifelong drugs at his age, so prascend and testing for cushings are out.

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He has reached an age that often needs medical help to maintain an active and healthy life. It is absolutely pointless buying him decent food and lavishing care on him if he has or is about to become a cushings horse.

My big horse dropped off and tested at 65. Half a Prescend saw him bloom. He served me well through his competitive life and now he can have what the heck he needs to keep him happy, healthy and full of cheek in his twenties.

The testing is not expensive and caught early cushings can be managed easily in most horses.

Feed wise my 17.2hh middleweight has everything known to man prior to being tested. He did fairly well but turned his nose up to most bucket feeds and picked through good ad lib hay and haylage. Tested and on Prescend he looks magnificent on ad lib haylage, pony nuts,linseed unmol chaff, salt and speedibeet.
 
My view would be up forage and also provide soaked grass nuts too. He can 'graze' on this as and when he wants. With the grass value being low this time of year, sometimes the horse needs an extra boast
 
thought about ad lib hay, and on further discussion with his companions owner, she cant have hay as she coughs a lot on it, and we cannot separate them both for feeding as they both get bad seperation anxiety if apart even if just by a dividing fence

Will have a look into ordering the grass nuts.
 
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