Only just stopped crying..please can someone give me advice

M

Mbronze

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This may turn into a long story, basically I have a lovely boy Frankie who i have owned for about 16yrs. He is 31 and I retired him a couple of yrs ago because he was slowing down, he went to a lovely specialist retirement home about 10mins away so i can visit when i want.
Due to personal circumstances in the last couple of months i have visited him about once every week. But noticed 2 wks ago he was loosing weight again.
So I took a photo
Frankie021.jpg

And then decided to change his feed to Ready Mash extra and alfa a oil.
I took a photo today (2 weeks later)
Frankie036.jpg

Maybe I haven't given it enough time, but I'm in a state and don't know whether to get the vet out to see whether it is something underlying why he won't put weight on? Or is there another feed or supplement i could give him to help him. I am now able to visit him at least three times a week so i can keep a closer eye on him.
I also noticed this on his neck -
Frankie037.jpg

It wasn't there 2wks ago, and since then i have had a fly hood on him, one of the grooms suggested it was just a rub, but i've always used rugs with hoods so never experienced anything like this?
To be honest it just tipped me over the edge and I've been crying ever since. I love this horse to pieces and would do anything for him, he is my horse of a lifetime and owes me nothing. Can anybody give me advice or suggestions on what they would do, I don't want him going into winter looking like this as i don't want him to be miserable and he may not survive given his lack of fat?
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I thought there may be something wrong i think the thought of something wrong with him is just so overwhelming as he has never been sick or sorry. You are right though the vet will be able to detect something that i cannot. Thanks for the hugs.
 
I would get vet out, as there maybe something inside thats causing the weight loss. I take it the Livery yard worm the horses, as weight loss is a sign of worms.
as for the rub, get some aloe vera cream on it. If it was a rub like sweet itch, it would be red raw I would think? Again it could be caused by an underlying problem?
 
Yes, his teeth were done in June and although he has a couple less than most horses due to age he can still chew properly. No quidding at all which is what worries me, that he has all that grass 24/7 and two feeds a day and still isn't putting on weight.
ali_m Thanks for the recommendation, I will definetely be looking at trying feeds like that
 
would also recommend the allan and page food. and getting vet and teeth checked.

that mark on his neck could be a rub... i think with age they start to rub/mark more easily as their hair thins out.

when my very old pony started losing weight, it was because he couldn't chew properly and used to drop as much as he ate. it's heartbreaking. we kept him for as long as he seemed happy, and fed him nice soggy food... it wasn't until his teeth became un-raspable that we had to pts

good luck! xx
 
Give the vet a call and have a chat - they may be able to put your mind at ease then get them to come out and do a full MOT.
Are his teeth ok?
Don't know what to suggest about the rub on his neck but is he turned out with others, has he been itching himself, has he got mites in his mane? I'm sure there are lots of explanations but I think the best thing is to get the vet out so you know.
How is he in himself? Has it been very warm? That might make him go off his feed - i know the oldies at the yard have been stuggling in the heat and not eating.
Keep us posted.
 
Do the obviously and get teeth checked, as this can often be the reason for weight loss.

He has got enough good grass where he is?

Then bring in the vet, although TBH he is a very good age for a larger horse.
 
Yes, they have a worming programme. But i think I will get a worm count done and get the vet so I'm covering all areas. The rub just baffles me as it isn't red raw but all his skin is dry and flaking and I'm thinking if flies get to it they could cause it to become infected..
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Maybe the grass is also just losing some of its goodness at the moment too? I would as the others have said, get the vet out to give him an MOT. Then I woudl also recommend allen and page - their old faithful mix has been very good for ours in the past. We also used to feed our very underweight pony a mash of high fibre cubes and stud cubes, which worked very well for him.

i would try not to worry. If he is happy, healthy, eating and still enjoying life then imo, it doesn't matter if they are a bit more underweight than you would like. The minute his temperament changes and he is not eating, then I would worry. IMO he looks good otherwise (coat etc).
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I think the best route is to chat to the vet isn't it? I definetely want them to come out and have a look at him, he is slightly stiff in his hocks so i wanted them to check that anyway.
His teeth are honestly in good condition despite his age.
To be honest its been quite warm this year, they have had their rugs off since about march.
 
Ahh really sorry he hasnt come on as much as you had hoped he would, what about adding Pink powder to his ready mash extra? The combination of those 2 and Baileys no4 cubes worked wonders for my old girl. I had the vet out and asked them to do a full blood count to rule anything else out when she lost weight. Put some wonder gel on his neck and get the vet to have a peep at it whilst they are out.
Good luck keep us updated.
 
The thing is he seems quite well in himself, still ignores me unless I have food so i suppose its still good he is interested in food still. I just feel i have let him down by letting him get so thin, i just want my pony with the fat bum back although i know it'll never happen. I hate it when they get old, sometimes i don't know whether I am kinder to keep him living out his old age or should have pts a while ago so he wouldn't get like this.
 
do you give him sugarbeet in feed or anything like that? or is his lami prone etc?

Id agree with others on maybe more oils etc......

Maybe hes just saying hed like more naughty bit treats
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Id get vet out to be safe, and just ask about the rub when they come for that as well. Maybe aloe vera gel or something will help sooth it peeling etc
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He looks really good for a 31yo though!
 
I felt exactly the same at christmas, it was like it had suddenly dawned on me how much weight my old girl had lost etc, i felt soo bad as i had to move her twice in 9 weeks and she is 29yo, but the vet gave her a clean bill of health and she put weight on slowly but surely. It does take time and its not going to happen overnight. Dont feel bad keep ya chin up.
 
2 weeks isn't a long time tbf but to me he doesn't look bad at all for his age. He doesn't look ribby, just undermuscled which is to be expected
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However, you know him best and therefore perhaps a vet check would put your mind at rest
 
There has ben very changeable weather lately, with rain and temperatures dropping. Even though its summer he will need rugging if he hasnt been already, othewise he will be using calories to keep warm and hence getting thinner.

I personally wouldnt feed mixes to an old horse with deteriorating teeth. Feeds like soaked grass nuts, sugar beet, soaed alfalfa, etc would be better. Whatever you choose you need to workout the amount of energy going in from your current diet and increase it. Your current diet is obviously not enough in terms of energy as he is losing weight. Whilst this could be due to an underlying health problem it could also be simply to do with not enough calories for day to day living.

Get your vet out to give him a look over, worm count, teeth, blood test, etc and in the meantime increase the feed he is getting.
 
I'd perhaps try him with Equilibrium Senior and hi-fibre cubes made into a mash type consistency - works wonders for our little old shetland (could even add a bit of oil but shouldn't need it as Equilibrium is a complete feed). If that doesn't work in a month or so I'd have the vet out.
However, if your gut is telling you to get the vet out now then I'd go with that. Least then you'll know one way or the other.
 
I think I'll def get the vet out in the next week or so, just to put my mind at rest and to get his little neck problem sorted. I feel like i sound such a drama queen, but i love him so much like i said and it devestates me to think there maybe something wrong with him
 
I know its hard but do try not to worry too much until you know whether you actually have to or not. As someone else said for 31yrs he's looking really well if lacking a bit of muscle but without work that's to be expected.
It's totally understandable for you to feel the way you do - 'phone your vet and get an appointment booked & then take it from there.
Let us know how you get on & don't worry xx
 
I agree 2 weeks is no time at all at that age, it is only July so you have several months to get him back on form.
Are you using a weigh tape to monitor his weight? It is so difficult to judge it by eye (especially through tears).
Looking at the two photos he does look to be slowly improving, certainly his neck is better.
I also weigh all the feed before soaking, I can be wildly out if I do it by eye and it can make all the difference when they are at this age.

He is a lovely horse.
 
Dry your tears and take heart that none of us on here are unduly concerned! He's 31 and the downturn in temps after the blazing heat is enough to upset anyone's equilibrium.

I go with all on here who advise veterinary assessment and a bit of an MoT. He may well be needing a tonic or regular supplement and is probably ready for some easier to digest (and digestion begins at the lips) types of feed. As long as he is getting fibre, it matters not how sloppy and mushed up it is before it goes in his mouth and soaked fibre nuts are perfectly acceptable. You are aiming to keep him happily ticking over, not performing and what a lucky boy to have such a caring and responsible mum.
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Let us know how things go and chin up - there are heaps of things to try as long as he's basically healthy. The vet will start you off there.

Good luck x
 
In your shoes I would get the vet for an MOT to put your mind at rest and let you know where you stand for starters. The ready mash isn't really a weight gain feed, and he doesn't sound like he is actually having much food in addition to the grazing. I'd look at moving him on to Topspec senior balancer plus their conditioning cubes - ring their advice line for specific info for your circumstances, they are really helpful! My 2 oldies aren't anywhere near 31 yet but have both improved on the senior balancer, my always-on-the-thin-side TB looks fantastic on half rations of the balancer plus good grazing at the minute.

If not Topspec, then look round at the other senior and/or conditioning feeds that are on the market - I'm sure you'll find something to suit.

I also think he looks quite good for his age and seems to be enjoying life from the photos so perhaps you aren't doing too bad by him overall!
 
Also agree with the MOT suggestions. I used Pink Powder to perk up my oldie when he lost weight last year. He did put a little on, but age did catch up with him in the end. Your boy isn't as thin, though. Have his liver checked, too. Once this starts to wain, they do lose a lot of weight, as metabolism takes so much more out of them. Hope he's ok.
 
Don't panic, very simple things at his age can cause weightloss and they can be easily dealt with. My old boy went through a stage where he lost a little bit of weight and some of his sparkle. There was nothing I could put my finger on, I could just tell he wasn't right. I was in a panic but when had the vet out who took some bloods and urine (waiting for that was fun!) and it turned out to be a kidnny infection. 5 days of antibiotics and he was back to his old self! He had another 3 years after that.
 
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