Retired horse - keeping condition on

[TURBOBERT]

We have a 20 year old retired eventer who has always been difficult to keep condition on. This summer however he has become quite thin. Subject to nothing organic being the matter - and we will probably have a blood test done - what feed do folk recommend. Is high oil based best and if so what product - not too expensive please!

 

[TGM]

What is he being fed at the moment? Living in or out? What quality/amounts of grazing/hay/haylage is he getting? Is his appetite good? Any foods he won't eat or allergic to?

 

[henryhorn]

We find keeping them on pink powders all the time helps, as does keeping a close eye on their teeth. Most oldies start to have trouble chewing but he's a bit young to have loose teeth at 20.
I add glugs of cooking oil to their feeds and feed Alfa A added to their normal mixes.
Most retired oldies here cope fine on just ad lib haylage and grass, if they don't we bring them nearer to the yard and feed them.

 

[TURBOBERT]

At present out all the time plus haylege. He is eating well and seems bright enough. His particular aversion is grass nuts found in some mixes but he is happy with most nuts and mixes generally.

Come October/November he comes in overnight and I usually put him on to Alfa A/Speedibeet and Benevit then. I have never used Pink Powder - not quite sure what it is.. His teeth are done regularly.

My concern is that he lacks condition before the winter sets in which is a worry.

 

[humblepie]

My 23 year old was seriously ill last year and ended up like a hatrack. We got his weight back on with 16 plus veteran mix, chaff and Saracen Equi Jewel and some cooking oil, the later two being on the vet's suggestion. He is a good doer fortunately but he was on three serious meals a day even though totally retired to get his weight back from a very poor starting point. He could have been an advert for a horse charity he was that thin. To some extent I think it is trying different things to see what works on any particular horse.

 

[stencilface]

We have used Allen and Page's old faithful mix before for our oldies and found that to be very good. I would also put some oil in the feed as that seems to help. We use linseed oil as has anit-imflammtory properties too, which can't be a bad thing for oldies

 

[TGM]

My old mare maintains her condition best (and most cost-effectively) on micronized barley, sugar beet and veg oil, fed twice daily, along with as much top quality haylage as she will eat. Works brilliantly for her, but obviously not suitable for something with laminitic tendencies! Some horses don't like straight oil though, so alternatives sources of oil are things like micronised linseed or oil-rich supplements such as Outshine or Equijewel (however the last two are rather pricey).

Pink Powder won't supply much in the way of extra calories, but the theory is that the probiotics in it help maintain healthy gut bacteria which can help horses get more out of the food they eat. Also contains vits and mins so handy to feed alongside a diet of straights.

Obviously, though, if this is the first time he has lost weight like this, you need to find the reason - your idea of getting a health check is very wise, and best undertaken before changing his diet. (If, for example, the weight loss is due to say, a liver problem, then there are certain types of feeds to avoid). Another factor could be bullying in the field, for example.