How Long To Rest an Underweight Horse?

[HazuraJane]

My horse lost a good deal of weight due to ulcers/pacing in the turnout.
Horse currently weighs 446 kg/985 lbs. He should weight 544 kg/1200 lbs
Ulcer treatment is in week 2 right now.
He is receiving correct feed to encourage weight gain.

When do I get back on him?
Currently he has ribbiness and truly scary hipbones protruding.
Do I gauge it by his weight, or by his appearance?
Looking for guidelines here.
I don't want him to lose the muscle he has, but he's so thin!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I wouldn't ride him again until he is at least close to the weight and appearance that you want. /you need him to put all his energy into his recovery

 

[sbloom]

Once he puts on just a smidge I would suggest gradually increasing in hand work, you need to give him as much help as possible to build that critical muscle "bridge" across the back. Something like straightnesstraining.com, any of the close in hand techniques to help horse's posture. And feed plenty of amino acids to help him build that muscle.

 

[Nari]

Since he's clearly being treated by the vet I would ask their opinion.

 

[HazuraJane]

I wouldn't ride him again until he is at least close to the weight and appearance that you want. /you need him to put all his energy into his recovery

He looks too thin for me to feel good about riding him now. Thank you, that's what makes sense to me as well.

 

[HazuraJane]

Once he puts on just a smidge I would suggest gradually increasing in hand work, you need to give him as much help as possible to build that critical muscle "bridge" across the back. Something like straightnesstraining.com, any of the close in hand techniques to help horse's posture. And feed plenty of amino acids to help him build that muscle.

. . . off to figure out how to feed amino acids. . .