Underweight horse, best feed?

fatpiggy said:
Hay hay and more hay. If he is growing fast then the calcium is a good idea but I wouldn't use any fancy feeds or you could risk him growing upwards even more rather than outwards, and then you might be facing joint problems and even possible wobblers. Personally I like to see youngsters looking a bit on the lean side, it is natural. This muggy weather is probably aggravating the rain rot. I recommend a good powdering with Keratex Mud Fever powder and treat the rug as well as Dermatophillus spreads very easily.

Horse number 2 I would say more hay too and perhaps something like high fibre nuts. Is it older and working? In the past many horses did perfectly well on nothing more than simple hay and grass and hard food was only used for competing animals and hunters.
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a bit on the lean side............ its a hat rack, no excuses, it is needing veterinary attention.
 
OP that youngster is in a dreadful state - if you have been in sole charge for 4-5 months as has been suggested, then you could be prosecuted. The horse needs to see a vet ASAP.
 
Fun Times said:
To be honest, much as you are trying to help they are ultimately not your responsibility and I am not convinced that the owner shouldn't be reported for the state of the younger one.
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I must point out that when I made this comment I was under the illusion that the OP simply "helps out" the owner on an ad-hoc basis. If, however, the position in the other thread posted by the OP is correct and these horses are in fact on loan to the OP, then OP I retract my statement that you are not responsible for their welfare and you must take action immediately. I do hope the owner isn't under the mistaken impression that you have been properly looking after these horses. The state of these horses is a disgrace.
 
Just to second what other people have said, the youngster is so poor its a welfare case. If you are responsible for them, no matter how that came about then you are just a phone call away from being in big trouble! I'd worm the youngster now, with Panacur guard, then worm count after that and go from there. He/she also needs food! And a vet check as there are things that can mean horses go downhill quickly.

If you dont want to do that, then hand them back and call in a welfare organisation, NOT the RSPCA! But WHW etc who will actually do something. I know it must be hard if they arent yours, but I couldnt sleep at night knowing that he/she was so poor. Rain scald is the least of your problems!
 
Hillbillylucy, I've PM you, I've asked you to PM me, I've offered help. You have not replied. I'm sure everyone on here would rather you got help for the youngster, than get prosecuted. Please take the advice offered. If you don't want to PM me, Pm someone else, just talk it through and lets get this poor pony some help before it's too late.
 
There is a possibility that the owner can sign over the horses to the RSPCA.

I am amazed that no one has reported these horses.

If you cannot look after them and the owner cannot then it is better to shoot them than to let them suffer.
 
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Bonkers2 said:
There is a possibility that the owner can sign over the horses to the RSPCA.

I am amazed that no one has reported these horses.

If you cannot look after them and the owner cannot then it is better to shoot them than to let them suffer.
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they have been wearing rugs so I don't suppose anyone really knows how poor the youngster is.
OP I agree with chillipup that youngster needs professional help it is possibly past the point of just feeding a lot and will need medical support to prevent the body going into shutdown-please get some help. I am happy for you to PM me.
 
Hi, these two our not in my care.
I have bought the 2 1/2 with cow hocks which I previously posted about. He isn't skinny and is doing perfectly fine and the other horse is tb that I'm helping my friend out with.
They are both completely different horses that I'm talking about but the very skinny youngster lives in the field across which I have decided to help as well due to never seeing the owner.

No I'm not a vet nurse.

I took the little youngster to the vets and he had various tests done, blood work the whole lot. And it showed up with a lot of badness and also found out that he had a severe heart murmur. The vets have got in contact with the owner and they have had him pts.
Please don't get on your high horse, I did what was best for that horse and spent a fair bit considering he isn't even my responsibility!!

Also for those saying it was worms their worm count is extremely low!
 
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