Quick help needed RE feeding and bitting.

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Starbucks

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I’m off to the shop at lunch time hence quick help.

Problem 1 – he’s not been eating up properly for a few weeks now and after going hunting on Tuesday he’s even less enthusiastic!! Seems to be eating his tea eventually but not really bothering with breakfast. He looks well ATM but I’m conscious that weight is coming off him quite quickly now so want to get him eating up. He has been on a scoop of Baileys #4, scoop of chop and half scoop of sugar beet and then I’ve added in some oats since Tuesday when we hunted. I’ve tried cutting down the chop/sugar beet but he just doesn’t seem that bothered about it? He’s out 12 hours on reasonable grass (for time of year) and has big heyledge net at night. Any ideas? I’m really paranoid about him getting thin!!

Problem 2 – his mouth has been getting sore hunting, think it’s because he’s got a particularly slim French link in (and he’s strong but not too bad). I’m going to buy him something else.. wondering if I should get a fatter snaffle or go for a fatter 2 ring gag or something? Don’t really need better brakes just not as harsh on corners of his mouth?

Thanks for any replies!

Starbucks&Badger
 
If it was me I'd probably go for a fatter dutch gag. Even if he's not that strong he must have been pulling a bit if his mouth has got sore. I would always rather give a very light touch on a stronger bit than a firm contact on a 'milder' bit.
 
Problem 1 - Have you had his teeth looked at? Is he usually a poor doer? Barley is good for putting weight on horses. You can get get it in flakes and add 1/2 scoop to his feed. If you would prefer a compound feed for help with weight gain, you should look at feeding him Blue Chip. I know many people who have gad great success with feeding this to promote weight gain.

Problem 2 - Why don't you change it to an eggbutt snaffle? Or if you prefer a loose ring, a thicker one with bit guards.
 
Thanks – He’s a bit difficult because he is strong but also has a sensitive mouth so a lot of bits I’ve tried have been a bit much for him.
 
Thanks guys, think I will get his teeth looked at. He isn’t normally a very good doer in the winter but he does normally eat, although we are at a different yard now, my mum looked after him before and he didn’t get turned out much and probably wasn’t getting as much hard feed either.. I’m wondering if he’s just not eating it because he’s not hungry? He’s not skinny yet he looks well but I know that he may get that way!

I don’t think it is the bit pinching him because the sore bit is more on the inside of his mouth, although I guess can’t say for sure?
 
Firstly I'd get his teeth done, if he were mine. Wasn't it you who posted recently to say you've never had your horse's teeth looked at in 6 years?? If so then he is probably desperately in need of it so is bound to drop weight as he won't be able to eat properly. Worth thinking about as it's very likely it hurts him to chew, hence why he is leaving food.

Assuming I am wrong and you *have* had your horse's teeth done then barley is good for putting weight on. Also try giving him warm sugar beet - I used to make up fresh speedibeet with hot water after hunting and feed that. My horse loved it! Does he finish his haylage off over night? If so then give more haylege as well. I think I read somewhere that linseed is good for putting weight on too. If you are struggling to tempt him to eat (and his teeth are OK!) then put chop up some fresh mint and mix into his feed. It's good for them and my horse goes mad for fresh mint - it's the only way I can ever get him to eat medicine.

RE. the bit. If it's rubbing then I'd say you need something stronger so you aren't pulling so much, or maybe a change of noseband. Try a fatter french link but with say a hanging cheek or gag cheek. What noseband do you hunt him in?
 
Starbucks said:
Thanks guys, think I will get his teeth looked at. He isn’t normally a very good doer in the winter but he does normally eat, although we are at a different yard now, my mum looked after him before and he didn’t get turned out much and probably wasn’t getting as much hard feed either.. I’m wondering if he’s just not eating it because he’s not hungry? He’s not skinny yet he looks well but I know that he may get that way!

I don’t think it is the bit pinching him because the sore bit is more on the inside of his mouth, although I guess can’t say for sure?
Click to expand...

Where exactly is the sore bit? Are you sure it's not because his teeth are sharp and rubbing his mouth?
 
Hi, thanks – just text YO and she’s going to get tooth person out… although it all seems to have timed nicely with hunting starting so I don’t think it will be that.. (although would be easy fix if it is!) but good ideas about mint and warm speedibeet.. they actually sound nice!!

I hunt him in a grackle, think I’m going to get a fatter French link. The sore bits are definitely from the bit.
 
My current horse goes on hunger strike a bit after hunting because he's so wound up afterwards. He will eat breakfast the next morning once he's calmed down but he doesn't like to eat his dinner when we get back, usually just kicks it on the floor and ignores it (which is most unlike him as he's very greedy normally).

In your case, if his teeth need doing and he has a sore mouth from the bit, the combination of those might just be enough to have made him wary about eating.

Someone I know has/had a TB which he says regularly refuses to eat for up to 3 days after hunting.
 
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