Severely underweight horse

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nat_a_528

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Hi guys, desperately need advice , put a horse out on full loan , she came back to me yesterday lethargic every rib showing through and a dull coat :-( I don't know where to start on getting her better , I wormed her today and fed 2 small feeds of calm and condition.so where now?? Any suggestions appreciated as I'm devastated
 
Feed little and often, try build up/top line conditioning cubes, alfa beet and saracen equijewel, but introduce and build up slowly. Make sure the womer you've used covers all the appropriate worms for this time of year etc and possibly get the horses teeth looked at if it's been away for over a year.
 
competitiondiva said:
Feed little and often, try build up/top line conditioning cubes, alfa beet and saracen equijewel, but introduce and build up slowly. Make sure the womer you've used covers all the appropriate worms for this time of year etc and possibly get the horses teeth looked at if it's been away for over a year.
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For a start, I'd take some pictures of her condition now for 2 reasons - so you have some record if you need to deal with the people who loaned her from you in any way and also so you have a idea of whether she's improving and how fast: it's always so difficult to tell when you're worrying and seeing them every day.

Secondly, I'd have a vet out to give her the once over and take a blood test - again, for the same reasons I've given above.

Good luck with her and I hope she bounces back.:)
 
Mrs B said:
For a start, I'd take some pictures of her condition now for 2 reasons - so you have some record if you need to deal with the people who loaned her from you in any way and also so you have a idea of whether she's improving and how fast: it's always so difficult to tell when you're worrying and seeing them every day.

Secondly, I'd have a vet out to give her the once over and take a blood test - again, for the same reasons I've given above.

Good luck with her and I hope she bounces back.:)
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^^^^this^^^^^

Ans i would also speak to a feed company and get advice from a nutritionist.

Best of luck :)
 
Do you have good grazing to get her out on eventually?

And hay, hay and more hay (if she'll eat it).

I'd also monitor her body temperature to ensure she's warm enough overnight expecially (popping a lightweight rug on if needed).
 
Yes, id be getting bloods done, then speak to the nutritionists at Top Spec and the likes.

I been getting in some Rowen Barbary ready mash for the ones i want to build up a little, worth having a look see at it :)

Hope all turns out well for you :)
 
First you need to determine why she is so underweight? Is it just down to lack of food, or are there other factors involved such as worms, teeth problems, an underlying illness etc.

If you have had her checked out and it is purely lack of feed that has caused the problem, then she needs unlimited access to good quality forage. A balancer or other product containing live probiotic yeast can be helpful to improve conditions in the gut and therefore ensure the horse is making the most of all the food it gets. Introduce hardfeed gradually and increase it slowly, splitting into at least three a days if possible.
 
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