HELP!! Need to get weight on him fast.

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lisa_lou

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Just bought a gorgeous warmblood x lightweight cob 2yr old, i totally fell in love with his character and his gorgeousness but also felt sorry for him as he was very underweight, back bone sticking up alot, quaters all sunk in, ribs all showing through, coming into winter im worrying im not gonna get weight on him quick enough and he is going to struggle to keep and body weight when it turns cold. Ive already stocked up on loads of rugs for him so he doesnt get cold but want some advice on whats the best feed, supplements, vitamins etc for gaining condition and getting weight on, i was thinking blue chip maybe but is it as good as they make out as its very expensive?
 
I would honestly go for a slow, steady weight gain if he's a youngster, you don't want to cause joint problems by him growing/putting weight on too fast.

Dodson and Horrell do Suregrow which is a good balancer for youngstock, I'd just feed ad lib hay or haylage and add some sugar beet and oil on top of that. Also check for worms/teeth in case they are an issue.
 
Don't overload him at 2 year old with feed. He will put weight on gradually.

Stick a 5 day wormer down him, followed by a pramox/equest. Or get him worm counted etc.

Then, I'd get him on some good grass if you have any for as long as you can, and then [or if not good pasture] access to haylage 24/7. Bed down on wheat straw for more foraging. Just give him a youngstock mix and general vits and mins added to it and access to a mineral lick.

He'll put it on gradually and safely, if there's no hidden problems causing the weight loss currently.
 
i have wormed him and he wasnt wormy at all, just worried as to why he is so skinny, he is almost as bad as a rescue case, i dont want to over feed him but want to do all i can to keep him healthy and give him every chance of gaining a decent height as he has had a bad start. He is on a field of good grass at the mo but comes in at night, has good hay and fed twice a day. Whats tyhe best supplements to get vitamins and minerals into him?
 
As others have said dont go chucking to much feed at him just yet. We only just coming out of the summer and still havnt had any Autumn lush grass through yet, and i expect its going to be a wet warm next few months!! A bit of dr green can go along way. Your best bet is to get a vet to advise.
My friend has a 2 year she rescued at the beggining of the summer skinny as anything shes fed it loads to get up the weight. SHe had the vet out today to scan as weight has gone on so quickly she thought she was in foal. Shes not ust fat shes now got to go on a diet as vet said shed rather a 2 year old come out the winter with a rib or 2 showing much healthier.
 
touchstone said:
I would honestly go for a slow, steady weight gain if he's a youngster, you don't want to cause joint problems by him growing/putting weight on too fast.

Dodson and Horrell do Suregrow which is a good balancer for youngstock, I'd just feed ad lib hay or haylage and add some sugar beet and oil on top of that. Also check for worms/teeth in case they are an issue.
Click to expand...

^^ This. I'd also add brewers yeast and micronised linseed, both are excellent for digestion and will help with skin and hoof condition.
 
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