Feeding the ex racehourse tb

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Eiraw

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Hi all

I have bought a 16.3 tb about a month ago. When I bought him he was very calm. I fed him the same feed as he had from previous owner 1 x frickers show and condition with 1 mug of frickers baseline twice a day. We are now in a livery and he is having trouble settling. He is fine in the field but gets very stressed when down I the yard. First time on him in the menage, he did a buckaroo and threw me off. Farrier came to shod him next day, fine with the front, went absolutely looney when trying to shoe the back! Got in touch with previous owner regarding his behaviour and she was absolutely shocked. She then advised me to stop his feed as he was only on it a week before I bought him! Before that he was just on cheap pony nuts! He has been on no feed now for a week. He is turned out and as ad lib hay. I am slowly introducing him to Allen & Page Fast fibre with 2 scoops of magnesium. I am not sure what else to give him with these feed for the added nutritions and vitamins. He will be on light work! Any suggestions from anyone will be gladly received.
 
I feed a good grass chaff like grazon and wheat middlings. this works well for mine that is very sensitive to feed and helps keep weight on as well.
 
I know it's not what you are asking, and I'm sorry to worry you, but was this horse vetted when you bought him? The behaviour when shoeing the back feet would raise big alarm bells for me as a shiverer or some back or hock issue.


Regarding feeding, he just sounds as though the move has really unsettled him and he needs some time to adjust.
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I had a spinal therapist examine him beginning of the week as this also raised and alarm bell for me with the buckaroo and the shoeing! He did find that he had some discomfort on hid back and he managed to fix the problem. He is on rest now until Sunday ... so we shall soon find out how he is! I agree with you about the move ... he is struggling to settle when he comes to the yard! We are takink every day as it comes and using the time to bond and gain trust. A friend has advised me to use Happy Hoofs with the Fast Fibre? I think its going to be trial and error with the feed!
 
why did the owner change his feed literally a week before sale? that would be literally the worst thing to do. Tbs are sensitive and can be anxious but i would not expect one to bronc in the first week. Id get a vetting now, and be open to the idea they may not be right. Horses need to gain trust and that, but i don't expect any "broken" horse sold as ok to ever bronc a week in.
 
What is in the compound feeds you are giving him? I instinctively want to feed straights unless I have read the ingredients and am happy there is nothing suspect in there, like molasses to make it palatable or fillers etc. My poor doer TB gets unmollassed beet pulp, Ready Fibre Mash (soya hulls and a tiny bit of molasses) plain grass shop and pellets and micronised linseed. I wouldn't trust most of the prepared feeds in the same way I wouldn't buy ready meals for myself
 
If he needs a feed, I'd just stick to the fast fibre, it's low in starch and sugar but is a complete food so he won't need anything else. Then I'd add micronised linseed if he needs more condition.

When he's in the yard is he on his own? (Might be why he's stressing).

I'd be concerned about his behaviour though, would his previous owner come out to see you both?
 
Eiraw said:
I had a spinal therapist examine him beginning of the week as this also raised and alarm bell for me with the buckaroo and the shoeing! He did find that he had some discomfort on hid back and he managed to fix the problem. He is on rest now until Sunday ... so we shall soon find out how he is! I agree with you about the move ... he is struggling to settle when he comes to the yard! We are takink every day as it comes and using the time to bond and gain trust. A friend has advised me to use Happy Hoofs with the Fast Fibre? I think its going to be trial and error with the feed!
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What is a 'spinal therapist' and how have they fixed the problem, most physios will give the owner a rehab plan, exercises to do and usually only give 1 day off to allow the muscles to relax and the owner needs to continue the work to maintain whatever has been done by the treatment, they should come back within a week or two to reassess and ensure the horse has responded to treatment, if they did not get consent from your vet to treat they are also practising illegally.
I thing a proper check by an equine vet would be the most sensible step, he may just be unsettled but if the 'therapist' found some discomfort you really need a diagnosis as the findings/ treatment so far sound questionable to me.
 
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