Rescue mare needs to put on weight

[WinstonsGirl]

Hi all, I’m sorry if this has already been asked elsewhere but I just need some help. I rescued a mare just over a week ago from the RSPCA and she is crazy thin, she’s a very nervous and stroppy mare who doesn’t like to be in her stable so drops weight rapidly. She won’t eat most of her hay in her stable but will devour pony nuts (in a ball) or her dinner. I should add she was starved and abused most of her life so I like to keep plenty of food around for her so she no longer needs to worry.
I’ve put her on conditioning cubes (1/3 scoop), pony nuts (1/3 scoop Plus ball) and 1/2 scoop lite chaff. She has this twice a day. Can anyone recommend what else I can do? Especially with getting her to eat her hay? Also, will heavily rigging help? My old pony was a Welsh D so put on weight while breathing

 

[Arzada]

There's a current thread which may help https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...ed-cant-feed-chaff-chop.784321/#post-14194941

How long does she spend in her stable? Does she have equine company when in and when out?

 

[ycbm]

Why are you mixing two types of cube/nuts?

That doesn't sound like much food for a very thin horse that won't eat its hay. How big is she and what age?

 

[paddi22]

We get a lot of rescues in and for nervous ones like you describe, we always let them live out for the first few weeks. if they have a bad experience with people it can just be a bit full on for them to be stabled and having to deal with a lot of new people and some can feel claustrophobic and feel when stabled.

Some just won't settle or put on weight if they are too overwhelmed. If they can live out 24/7 then they tend to wind down their stress levels naturally and start eating a bit better. We just leave them alone for a few weeks in a field with adlib hay and just go into feed them. I've gotten in literal walking skeletons and I never panic about them putting on weight now, because they always do. Equerry conditioning mash is brilliant for building them up. Well done on taking on a rescue, wish there were more like you!

 

[Auslander]

Why have the RSPCA rehomed a scarily thin horse in the first place = and why have they not given you any advice on how to feed her correctly. The feed regime you have her on at the moment isn't going to make a jot of difference to her weight.

 

[windand rain]

I know the RSPCA are pretty awful but why have you rescued a thin mare from them. Most animals from rescue organisations are rehabbed before being rehomed. As to diet you need calories but slowly if she has been hungry, Fast fibre as a base with added linseed 3 or 4 times a day might help and of course the grass will soon pick up which is the best way

 

[paddi22]

It can be difficult sometimes for people to have a perspective of a horses condition if they are used to being on a livery yard with well conditioned horses. A lot of rescues can just be ribby, lacking muscle, sunken on the hips and with awful coats. On a livery yard full of (often) fat horses they look worse then they are. People's definitions of 'thin' can vary. You would hope a reputable charity wouldn't normally give out a horse whose weight wasn't in a safe area.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Why have the RSPCA rehomed a scarily thin horse in the first place = and why have they not given you any advice on how to feed her correctly. The feed regime you have her on at the moment isn't going to make a jot of difference to her weight.

This.

Usually a rehomer animal comes with a diet sheet and full info. They are not sent out (except to foster care) in anything but reasonable condition.

OP where in UK are you,? I'm baffled, perhaps you might have posted at cross purposes?

 

[dorsetladette]

It is a bit strange that the RSPCA would re-home a very thin pony.

Personally I like the Allen and Page feeds for weight gain, it might be worth giving them or another feed manufacturer a call for some advice.

Regarding not eating hay - has the ponies teeth been checked recently? It might be that pony is struggling to eat the hay. if teeth are OK, maybe you could try haylage?

 

[WinstonsGirl]

So I guess I’ve probably said the wrong thing to send you all mental over it. I should clarify she is a trotter cross standardbred. I’m use to, as someone had already said, fat welshies, I’m not wanting to get her to that but I want her to put a bit of weight on so I can start building muscle.
I was sent with “she’s has half a scoop of pony nuts and half a scoop of chaff” which I have kept her on. I spoke with them about what to put her on and they agreed she’d be alright with that.
unfortunately she can’t live out as the yard she is on has mislead me a little by telling me they turn out 365 days a year however no one on the yard turns out over the winter so I’m struggling with keeping her out on her own.
I was asking for advice not abuse.

 

[dorsetladette]

So I guess I’ve probably said the wrong thing to send you all mental over it. I should clarify she is a trotter cross standardbred. I’m use to, as someone had already said, fat welshies, I’m not wanting to get her to that but I want her to put a bit of weight on so I can start building muscle.
I was sent with “she’s has half a scoop of pony nuts and half a scoop of chaff” which I have kept her on. I spoke with them about what to put her on and they agreed she’d be alright with that.
unfortunately she can’t live out as the yard she is on has mislead me a little by telling me they turn out 365 days a year however no one on the yard turns out over the winter so I’m struggling with keeping her out on her own.
I was asking for advice not abuse.

Mental is probably a strong word. A lot of people on here have ponies from the RSPCA or WHW or Blue cross etc so have experience taking on a pony from them. It is a bit unusual that they would rehome a thin pony, but hay they are over stretched so its not beyond the realms of posibility.

Anyway, its been a week of so since you first posted. Have you changed anything?

in your OP you mention rugging - I'd be careful not to over rug as that will have the opposite affect to what you are looking to achieve. But if pony isn't currently rugged you could put a 100g on at night for a bit extra. If pony is rugged you could go up say 50/75g in rug weight at night keep the chill off.

Has pony started to eat its hay yet? what age is the pony?

 

[WinstonsGirl]

Mental is probably a strong word. A lot of people on here have ponies from the RSPCA or WHW or Blue cross etc so have experience taking on a pony from them. It is a bit unusual that they would rehome a thin pony, but hay they are over stretched so its not beyond the realms of posibility.

Anyway, its been a week of so since you first posted. Have you changed anything?

in your OP you mention rugging - I'd be careful not to over rug as that will have the opposite affect to what you are looking to achieve. But if pony isn't currently rugged you could put a 100g on at night for a bit extra. If pony is rugged you could go up say 50/75g in rug weight at night keep the chill off.

Has pony started to eat its hay yet? what age is the pony?

She is looking a lot better now. I am struggling with her escaping from her field at the minute as she’s on her own and will just pace her stable if she’s left in... Bane of my life! She is much better out on the grass but I’m struggling to do that at the moment.
She’s in a mediumweight rug at the moment. She looks like a foal but she’s nearly 7. I think with her being starved and abandoned most of her life has stunted her growth a little so imagine a 2 year old filly and that’s what she looks like.
She’s my first rescue and I’m doing my best but very much feel like I’m failing her at the moment.

 

[dorsetladette]

Chin up - its that time of year. We're all feeling a bit down and this constant rain is not helping.
Spring is just around the corner and Dr green (grass) will work its magic. By Sept/Oct you'll have a different pony I'm sure.
Over the summer I might be worth looking for a different yard so you don't have the pacing issue next winter - it wont be helping her weight if she's stressing and pacing all the time.
You could try a calmer to try and take the edge off short term. Even chamomile tea in her feed might help.
Have you managed to tempt her to eat any hay yet?

 

[windand rain]

Firstly stop looking at her as a rescue she is not. Secondly for even weight gain micronised linseed and a good balancer added to her existing feed will help.
Add photos so you can see month by month how she is doing
Groom and strap her to help bring her shape right
Give the Spring grass a chance.
I am of course assuming she is up to date with worming and health checks
Try to convince a livery mate to turn out with/next to her

 

[WinstonsGirl]

Thankfully she is polishing off most of her hay nets now. Will now take a chunk of hay and watch people over the stable door which is progress!
Unfortunately everyone else won’t turn out because they don’t want their horses getting dirty... I think a new yard for next winter might be the only option unfortunately

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Are you able to relocate her now WG?

Also, it might be worth getting her teeth checked just FWIW, both for an accurate idea of her age and to see whether anything untoward is going on

 

[WinstonsGirl]

Dentist is next on the list. Just had feet done and she wasn’t wormed long ago but was going to do a worm count anyway to cover all basis

 

[ForeverBroke_]

My rescue pony was emaciated and among a LOT of other issues, it was her teeth that were causing her the most immediate discomfort

 

[WinstonsGirl]

She’s barefoot so I’ve got a specialist out to look at them and her feet are causing her pain at the moment as she’s been trimmed as if she’d have shoes on and so her heels are too short ??‍ Think it’s going to be a few months of building her up to be a loved horse first!

 

[dorsetladette]

Dentist is next on the list. Just had feet done and she wasn’t wormed long ago but was going to do a worm count anyway to cover all basis

Did you worm for tape worm? might be worth it just to be sure.

She’s barefoot so I’ve got a specialist out to look at them and her feet are causing her pain at the moment as she’s been trimmed as if she’d have shoes on and so her heels are too short ??‍ Think it’s going to be a few months of building her up to be a loved horse first!

A good farrier will help you with this, be careful with barefoot trimmers. There are a lot of very good ones, but also some that are not so good. This field isn't very well regulated yet. Use someone who is recommended or that you have used before and trust.

 

[tda]

I would say if she is really stressed you can feed all you want but it won't make much difference, much better to find somewhere she can live out the majority of the time if you can, at least until she settles xx

 

[AmyMay]

I would say if she is really stressed you can feed all you want but it won't make much difference, much better to find somewhere she can live out the majority of the time if you can, at least until she settles xx

I agree. Or send her back as you’re not currently able to meet her needs.

 

[WinstonsGirl]

I agree. Or send her back as you’re not currently able to meet her needs.

I’m not sending her back. I am currently looking for other yards but as that’s not a feasible suggestion at the moment I need to make do as best I can. Sending her back to be rehomed somewhere else yet again is not an option.!!!

 

[AmyMay]

Sending her back to be rehomed somewhere else yet again is not an option.!!!

Why is it not an option?

 

[WinstonsGirl]

Why is it not an option?

Because it isn’t. She has a good life with me and I am clearly moving heaven and earth to sort this for her. She’s had 6 years of hell and I’m not going to continue passing her from pillar to post. Simply getting rid of a horse is never the first option in my eyes.

 

[paddi22]

I've a rescue trotter that I decided to keep for myself and she was rake thin when she came. They tend to pile on condition very quickly, so I honestly wouldn't worry about her weight. Once she's eating it will build up. They are fantastic horses, really loyal and they really get attached to their owners. Mine was very feral when she arrived, but once she realised grooming and scratching was fun, then she soon bonded and relaxed!

Hopefully a different yard with turnout will come up for you. But if you are stuck you could just handwork her as much as possible, it would be a great way to get to know her. If she is started to relax a bit in the stable then hopefully its heading the right way.

 

[WinstonsGirl]

I've a rescue trotter that I decided to keep for myself and she was rake thin when she came. They tend to pile on condition very quickly, so I honestly wouldn't worry about her weight. Once she's eating it will build up. They are fantastic horses, really loyal and they really get attached to their owners. Mine was very feral when she arrived, but once she realised grooming and scratching was fun, then she soon bonded and relaxed!

Thank you so much for this! I can’t tell you how much it meant to have a lovely answer like this! I’ve been crying over my mare for days thinking I was doing wrong by her even though I’ve been trying to do my best ? she is the most funny and loving mare I’ve ever had. I just want to get to summer now!!

 

[NinjaPony]

Might be worth giving her soaked grass nuts-something like Emerald's Meadow Magic which aren't too high in sugar. Start with small amount and then build up gradually-but some people swear by them to help with weight gain, and they could be another small meal for her.

 

[Goldenstar]

I am amazed the RSPCA rehome a horse without having its teeth done that’s light years from my experience when I worked along side them .
Op your livery sounds entirely unsuitable for this horse I would move at once or return the horse to the RSPCA who will have turnout until they find her a more suitable situation.

 

[WinstonsGirl]

I am amazed the RSPCA rehome a horse without having its teeth done that’s light years from my experience when I worked along side them .
Op your livery sounds entirely unsuitable for this horse I would move at once or return the horse to the RSPCA who will have turnout until they find her a more suitable situation.

She’s had her teeth done back in November/ December but I would like to get them checked over while she’s with me to have a clean bill of health so I know my starting point.
Thank you for the obvious, I’m currently yard hunting now! ??‍