[CowGirlUp1833]

These are my bosses 2 horses (Actually, her boyfriends)


The Fat one he's had for awhile. He's an (aprox.) 8 year old Arab gelding. He's currently out of work but sound and healthy. I'm concerned about founder if he continues to pack on the weight. I'm thinking he's around a 7-8 BCS.





The second horse they just took in. As you can see, he's been EXTREMELY neglected...probably the worst I've ever seen in person. I scored him around a 1.5-2 BCS.....bad They've got him wormed and they're gradually getting his feed up. (They've only had him for about a week) They were told he's 8-12 yr's old - QH. Don't have much info on him other then that.





I need some advice in general as far as feeding goes for both of them. Can we wean the fat one off hard grain altoghether? Whats the best plan of attack for the skinny one? I'm thinking a year to get him back - if at all?

[CowGirlUp1833]

14 views and NO comments???

[Blistering Winds]

The fat horse, dry lot that horse. Just drop all grain and go directly to hay, good quality, and take him down to the 400 lbs lighter level of nutrition. I wouldn't go too low, or you'll do more damage than good.

As for skinny minnie....keep that one turned out, free feed hay for now.

Who said the horse was 8-12??? Looking at the rib coverage, horse looks like a very Geriatric horse over a neglected horse to be totally honest.

I would have the horse vetted and blood drawn to be sure the system isn't shutting down. then design the feeding regimine from there.

Also, run an EPM test on the horse. She looks like many of the EPM affected horses I've seen. They look HORRIBLE over the top line, the ribs are what is throwing the evaluation off big time, because they look neglected over the top line, but the ribs show coverage of a 4.0 easy.

Which is why I'm saying EPM or Geriatric over true neglect at first glance of this horse.

[CowGirlUp1833]

Oh...I should mention... because I thought illness at first thought too...or good possibility of it anyway.... I mentioned that to them as well.

Anyway... they found this horse tied to a tree behind the barn where he was living.... the people just gave him to them from what I understand.

[Blistering Winds]

then you definitly have to do tests to determine if the horse is aged or if it might be EPM. Some people dont' understand and never test for EPM, and really don't understand the weight issues associated with it.

And to be honest, if it IS untreated EPM or even treated EPM, knowing that helps the feed situation since it is an uphill battle.

Either way, I would free-choice the hay to the skinny one, and until I get tests back, especially not knowing the history, I would avoid grain. For all you know, the horse is HYPP Positive and will drop from the grain intake.

[Stormyheart6160]

I think I have to agree with BW here! This horse looks to be pretty old, rather than neglected. Get the skiny horses teeth checked and have a blood profile done on it. No grain for fat boy!!!

[zorse]

I don't think it'll take a year!! Cole was about the same skinnyness as this one. We put him out on the grass 24/7 and within a couple weeks he was TONS better. He stayed out on grass with no other feed for 3.5 months and got fat enough that now he just eats hay.
Grass is seriously the best food for horses. If you have grass (and lots of it), it is the BEST thing for this guy to eat because it is natural and has everything he needs in it.
The place Cole came from fed him tons and tons of grain, and it totally wrecked his digestive system. I don't think grain is meant to be a staple.

Also, remember when you're looking at this horse that he just has a complete loss of muscle. So any amount of walking excersise will greatly help him. That is also why Cole looked tons better, because he was out with a herd of horses so they would play together and he gained muscle.

[No1Dazy]

Holy cow that Arab is FAT! I totally agree that he should have NO grain...

For the thin one, we've had a few success stories at our barn when the vet told us to put the horse on senior feed. (Even if the horse wasn't old...) It has all the nutrition the horse needs, than any hay/grass the horse eats will help too, especially in the winter when he needs to stay warm.

[drafts]

Well, the only thin horse I have ever had was my super aged pony, and he was thin because he had a hard time chewing, even after dental. I would try free choice hay, soaked beet pulp, grain, and Boss. Add some veggie oil as well. Soak the mess of it together in warm water. That should help him put on some needed pounds.

[3WishesDun]

I would definately not be feeding the Arab any hard feed.
Grass hay, a good vit/mineral supplement, + some flax (2-4 oz) would be where I would start with him. Adding some magnesium might also be beneficial as he may have IR issues.