[BaileynScarlet]

I just recently (a couple days ago) rescued a really small, very emaciated colt..Weanling I believe..Well, here's the problem...At night he lays down (I'm assuming it's because he's cold) but then he can't get up and it takes at least two people to get him up..It's like he don't have enough strength in his backend..Once he gets up He's PERFECTLY fine!! I have given him a little banamine and that works for a little while...What can I do to give him more strength...I've been feeding him as much hay as he will eat and about half a scoop of oats (don't want to give him too much right now)...Any Advice ya'll can give me would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

He's such a sweet boy, and I want to save his life! Oh, and his name is lucky (hence, he's LUCKY to be alive)! I will add some pics when I get some..it's raining right now..

[palimino57]

I had a 2 yr old filly with the same problem. Its most liekly (if the same thing) Muscle Atrophy.

She did recover just took time. Apparently she liked the attention, cause every morning for like.. 2.5 weeks we would do this.. then one day she wouldnt work with me, and I had to go get a second person.. and left the grain a few feet from her.. came back and she was up..

Just needed motivation, sneaky thing. She recovered great, and is now going lightly under sadle, and will be shown on the arab circuit

[DS_228]

First things first, get your vet involved. Approve any change you make with him/her before you do it, and make all changes slowly.

As far as grain goes, whole oats are just fillers for horses, as they can not digest them. Corn (cracked or oil) is great for putting weight on horses, but you want to make sure he's getting a good balance, not just fat. I highly recommend the Nutrena products, but we have recently switched my foal to Buckeye and we are getting great results. You want something that’s easy to digest (pellets) and has a high amount of protein. Your vet and local feed store can probably help you find the right grain for him. There are so many great feeds out there now, it's hard to find the right one with out help.

Also, make sure you worm him good. I'd worm him with either fenbendazole or Pyrantelthis moth, then next month, give him Ivermectin. Then, go on a regular rotation.

It concerns me that he can not get himself back up after he lays down. Have you had him looked at by a vet? If you haven’t I would do this first.

I've rescued a handful of older horses, but never any babies. I cant over stress having a good relationship with your vet. There could be so many different things wrong with him. Having his blood tested could also be a big help.

Good Luck with him!! I hope he gets better!

[denraydar]

I f you cannot get help via a vet then call a local rescue for advice. The foal does need something for nutrtion aside from hay and that would be a Ration Balancer, or a pelleted feed made for growing horses.
Your feed store may be able to help as you mentioned in your post. Do you have any idea how old he is? He may still be in need of a mothers milk substitute for horses if he is very young. But they eat on their own at a pretty young age.
Sounds like it may be a lack of nutrition causing the weakness. Just keep getting him up. If he does not improve with a good diet have a vet check him out.

Go slow with any feed or RB at first just a handful, work up to larger amounts very slowly as is little digestive system is not accustomed to feed yet. Poor little baby.

[sarahhowen]

Ho old is this colt, I would also agree that he will not be getting the correct nutrients that he needs to sustain his weight let alone grow and also put weight on from the diet he is currently on.
As mentioned above either speak with your local equine vet or even your local feedstore and chage his diet to one that is more suited (remember changes need to me made gradually as his digextive system may still be a little delicate yet.

Good on you for rescuing him, but wheres our pictures??????

[nicz2cu]

I would have the vet examine him before deworming .

I would also consult with him / her on feeding for the age level, since we really do not know how old it is. If it is very cold in your area , you can blanket at night...... do you have shelter for him and make sure to provide hay to last the night ?

These are the first things I would do , if it were me.

Good Luck and please update us.

[PikPablo]

Agreed. Have the vet look at him and give him a regimen ASAP.

[BaileynScarlet]

The vet came out today, and said that he is fine just very HUNGRY! lol..

He is doing much better, we didn't even have to help him get up this morning! He is getting stronger by the day!

It doesn't get extremely cold at night just about mid 40's (that's Mississippi weather for you! lol..)

Here are the pictures that I promised!




How can you deny that sweet face?

[sarahhowen]

Awwww bless him, he's such a cutie. Its no surprise he was relictant to get up being so thin, it must of taken quite an effort.

I'm glad that the vet has been to see him and given him a clean bill of health, does he think that the malnutricien now is going to have any effect on him in later life???

Good on you for taking him in and I am looking forward to some "after" pictures......

[sarahhowen]

He's got a very long tail for a weanling, are you sure he isn't older??????and just very malnourished