Pony not gaining weight?

emma001

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 April 2012
Messages
81
Visit site
first of all this isn't my horse it's my friends horse.

He won't gain weight even though he has been getting loads of hay and breakfast lunch and dinner consisting of alpha beet and alfa A i think, not too sure but something to help gain weight.

you can still see his ribs, hip bones and spine.

why isn't he gaining wait?
 
Well first of all, how much is 'loads'? Have you weighed what he is being fed daily?

Secondly, has he had a worm count recently?
 
How long has your friend has this pony?

If he is a recent acquisition - where did he come from and has he been vetted?

How big is he and how old is he?

How long has he been getting "loads of hay" and three feeds a day?

What is the grazing like?

What worming programme has the pony been on?

Any photos of his condition?
 
How long has your friend has this pony?

If he is a recent acquisition - where did he come from and has he been vetted?

How big is he and how old is he?

How long has he been getting "loads of hay" and three feeds a day?

What is the grazing like?

What worming programme has the pony been on?

Any photos of his condition?

Great questions add to that when is the last time he saw a dentist or vet?
 
I have been in the same boat; if he is getting enough good quality forage + feed first check for worms, then dental problems. If these are fine he will need blood tests (liver and kidney function etc) to rule out underlying illness.

I was feeding enormous amounts into a previous good-doer who was disappearing before my eyes! It has turned out he has a gut problem affecting absorption which has responded well to a specialist diet. He is now putting on weight thank god.

Good luck with it; it's a very worrying time.
 
Top