weight gain, older horse

[HashRouge]

My old mare has dropped off a bit in the last few weeks. She has not been well, so there is definitely a cause, and I'd like to get a bit more condition on her. She has Veteran Vitality at the moment, one scoop PM and 1/2 scoop AM, but not sure I could get her to eat more than that. Is there anything higher calorie that is really palatable? Or anything that people have had veterans do well on? She's on ad lib hay and has hay in the field too.

 

[NinjaPony]

You were very helpful when I posted a similar query so I’ll share what I’ve found in case it helps at all.
I went with micronised linseed in the end, Charnwood Mill at £30 a bag and I feed a third of a cup twice a day for an 11.2hh so you could probably feed half a cup twice a day at least. It’s quite finely milled, I’m not sure what I was expecting but it’s closer to bran in texture than a mix.

My pony absolutely LOVES the stuff, he’s going to be gutted when I cut it out over spring/summer. He’s quite greedy anyway but he licks the bowl clean now.

It’s definitely helped put condition on, I can’t see his ribs anymore (can still feel them but I have to be careful with his EMS) and his quarters are looking much better too.

Might be worth getting her Cushings levels tested too as I had to up my prascend dose this winter.

As an extra thought, are you feeding any kind of vitamin and mineral powder? Cushings horses tend to have lower immune systems and need extra support, I feed the progressive Earth one alongside a teaspoon of vitamin E powder every day during winter months.

 

[Maryann]

Our very old Welsh cob with bad teeth does well on steamed rolled oats and Spillers conditioning fibre.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Equijewel - don’t need to feed high quantities but puts on weight really well. Not found anything better.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Equijewel is the best thing I have used on a few elderly horses and literally within a few weeks they look better, used it on a few young highly strung Arab's as well it would definitely be my go to feed.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Charnwoods micronised linseed plus extra protein from Forageplus Topline Plus (a mix of pea and potato protein) really helps the general health and topline of my two Cushing's mares. They are aged 17 and 22, so not ancient, but they do need help.

https://forageplus.co.uk/product/topline-plus-for-horses/

 

[Follysmum]

Grass nuts and linseed have been a godsend for 2 of my oldies. One of the worst for holding weight has also been having sixteen plus nuts . He looks fantastic at 26

 

[nikkimariet]

Linseed oil (easier on OAP teeth and more calorie rich than micronised).

 

[AdorableAlice]

Equijewel, Copra, linseed, Spillers Senior Speedy Mash and oats have all been successful with my old lad. He has thrived on VV for years but at rising 29 and 17.2 I had to give him more help this year.

I feed 4 times a day now and have to mix and match to keep him interested, his favourite is oats.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Left field but might be worth considering if your horse has been unwell Recently or on anti-inflammatories - a gut probiotic.

Our old girl went through a period of unwellness and box rest and we couldn’t get weight back on her until we put her on a veterinary referred probiotic. Fixed the problem instantly and in 4 weeks was totally different. Really helped accelerate her back to health as well. Make sure it’s vet approved though, there are loads on the market as gut products that are just a blend of calcium and magnesium.

 

[Highmileagecob]

My old boy is now dentally challenged and needs more chopped fibre. I have kept his condition up this winter by offering half a 40l trug of Graze on/Readygrass/Grasstastic etc. well damped and mixed with half a stubb's scoop of Fast Fibre, well soaked. This is fed twice daily in addition to his haylage, and he is also offered short chopped veteran haylage as well.

 

[Northern Hare]

I found linseed oil to work well, but the most improvement was when he went from two to three feeds - same quantity of feed, just split over more feeds.