Not putting on weight help!

ktj1891

ktj1891

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I have an ex racer just came out of racing in dec 10. Now he was in regular work about 6 weeks ago but now he's just plodding out every other day. He's out 24/7 and gets 1 feed a day he's up to date with worming abs jabs. He gets 1 round scoop of alfalfa and calm and condition and has linseed and pink power and garlic. He Has put on weight but not much anyone got any suggestions?
 
If you want more weight on him give him more feed.

Do you rug him, and is the grazing good?

I would drop the garlic.
 
Just curious as to why you would cut out the garlic?

Ive found it great for adding coat condition and great for allround health (respiratory etc.
 
Yeah because I only go up once a day it's hard to feed him twice yard doesn't sell haylage. I'm gunna see if I can get him fed twice. Grazing isn't doing much for him but the ponies are fat on it
 
ktj1891 said:
Yeah because I only go up once a day it's hard to feed him twice yard doesn't sell haylage. I'm gunna see if I can get him fed twice. Grazing isn't doing much for him but the ponies are fat on it
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So, you'll need to go up twice a day.

You have bought yourself a high maintenance horse that will require lots of time and attention.;)

What provision have you put in place for the winter?
 
I have found calm and condition absolute rubbish at putting weight on skinny horses. Only ok as a maintainance feed.

Switch to Alfa Oil, a conditioning cube (either the Baileys or D&H) and feed 2 if not 3 times a day.

Make sure that the horse has access to GOOD grazing 24/7, if not you need to supplement with haylage.

It is chilly at night still. Do you rug?

2nd the suggestion of getting teeth checked.

If none of the above helps buy some Equijewel and put 1 mug of it in each feed. It's amazing stuff.
 
Sort of agree with Galaxy23 on most points,I feed my Arab on calm & condition he is not skinny just needed condition he gets about the same amount as your feeding with one scoop of Alpha oil, twice a day he is 15.1, I would guess your horse is bigger so I would aim for more and try to feed at least twice a day.
Hay and hayledge are the best in my opinion for putting on weight, feed as much as he will eat, I will also agree Equi Jewel is great stuff, also keeping him rugged at night will help keep his weight on.
 
You may have to have him in a separate paddock to the others, or in with another poor doer so that you can feed ad-lib hay in the field. Recent dry weather has meant that grazing is poor in some areas of the country (like here!). I am having to feed all seven horses haylage in the field every day. The cost is going to wipe out my summer claw back of profits and I will be lucky to break even. But the hose's well being comes first. I am seeing lots of horses round here on bare paddocks with no hay put out. People think just because it is spring the horses can survive on grass alone. Some areas of the country are fine of course, but many areas are still far too dry.
 
If it were mine it would be on Alfa A Oil, and oats. Oats is a fantastic feed and I only feed straights. I don't like Mixes, you never really know what IS in them and what isn't!!

Secondly I would get Bloods and Worm count done.

Thirdly I would be providing ad lib hayledge as much as possible. If that means you bring him in for the night, put a light rug on and give him hayledge so be it.

Is your horse rugged at night? It is still getting quite cold. Mine has been naked since mid March but she is a fat pie Warmblood!! :D
 
He is in a lw ATM all the time. I agree he needs 2 feeds so gunna see if someone can do that for me and gunna hay him too. Gunna get his teeth done soon as well. He windsucks in the field as well so don't know how much that would affect his weight. But still don't know if I should be changing his feed or just giving more. I'm buying a 25kg of linseed to feed aswell
 
My ex raceohorse had his first seasons hunting this time and afterwards he was roughed off for a little holiday on hay/feed/turned out and well rugged. Always wormed up to date and all jabs done. However at the end of April after a month out he looked ribby and I was not happy with his condition. Had his teeth done a 3 weeks a go and he looks like a horse on May grass should. He only had sharp teeth and the dentist didn't think that they were at all that bad but it still affected him. Best £40 I have spent. Also add soya oil and perhaps feed sugarbeat its cheap and always helps by TB's maintain weight. Good luck!
 
He's out with others buy the field has been sectioned for awhile so he's in a bit on his own for the time being
 
Have you had his teeth done and is he wormed?
Is there a decent amount of grass in his field? If there is I'm just wondering if there may be something that's stopping him putting on weight?!
Mine and my mums ex racers are living out and are right fatties on the grass, too fat and they aren't having any hard feed.
 
ktj1891 said:
Yeah because I only go up once a day it's hard to feed him twice yard doesn't sell haylage. I'm gunna see if I can get him fed twice. Grazing isn't doing much for him but the ponies are fat on it
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The yard isnt your only provider of hayledge.... :confused:

This is a bit of a touchy subject on here at the moment, i would tread carefully OP
 
lubuzz said:
The yard isnt your only provider of hayledge.... :confused:

This is a bit of a touchy subject on here at the moment, i would tread carefully OP
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.......Could you clarify What subject is touchy, Ex Racers or Haylage providers, thanks.

Poster: you should be aware that native ponies get fat on two blades of grass, and they have been in the field for a while so are adapted to conditions.
Your horse has been moved out of a racing stable where he was fed concentrate three or four times a day, and the best of forage twice a day, he has been looked after professionally all his pampered life.
Suddenly he is sent to the sales, a new owner, and put in a field!!!!!
He may have had a culture shock, all I can do is echo other postings, feed and pamper, exercise and lots of care, most flat racing horses have not seen a field since they were a year old, and are not used to a rough lot of hairy ponies. Look out for bullying.
If this is a field you have rented rather than a livery yard, I think you need to consider if it will be suitable over the winter, yes some TB's do alright, that is to say they survive, but often need stabling at night and extra feed in winter if you want to ride them.
 
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