Starving baby.

rodeochic · 10-21-2005, 06:57 AM

My daughter and I recently purchased a 4 1/2 month old paint filly. We didn't really need another horse, but it was more like a "rescue". The "breeder" has fallen on hard times, and this filly was starving. Any thoughts on the best way to bring her weight back, safely? I don't want to over feed her and cause more problems. We wormed her, and I keep grass/alfalfa hay in front of her. I give her calf manna, about a pound a day, and "Grow Colt". Thanks.

JBandRio · 10-21-2005, 07:04 AM

If she was truly starved, don't be so quick to have free choice hay in front of her. Build up to it over a week or so.

AnnaBelle02 · 10-21-2005, 07:20 AM

Pick up the book either Blessed are the Broodmares or Blessed are the foals (the second book would be the best choice) - it has many tips on how to feed/care for orphaned or early weaned foals.

Photochick · 10-21-2005, 07:20 AM

I have found using beet pulp is good for weight gain. Very high in fiber. I use it for my TB's in the winter because I can't give my guys any more grain or they will founder, so I use beet pulp. I take one large coffee can of beet pulp and two gallons of hot water in a bucket (to give them something warm for the winter). Let sit for 20 mins to allow the beet pulp to swell completely. It will almost fill an entire flat back bucket. I then add thier grain and if I'm feeling sweet, I add some apple sauce. Beet pulp is really good about keeping them hydrated as well. I feed it to them twice a day.

Sue B · 10-21-2005, 07:34 AM

I think that you will find that just feeding her will help get the weight back on quickly. This probably isn't a matter of a needing "more" food, but rather just "some" food....normal amounts will bring this baby back to weight soon.

Quality forage is the best approach....beet pulp, soaked alfalfa or hay cubes, alfalfa or hay pellets...all offer easily digestable calories/nutrients. I would eventually slowly offer a "growth" formula feed designed for weanlings. I always provide a protein supplement such as Milk Plus (similar to Calf Manna/Sunshine). I also use more forages than grain products and supplement with a quality vit/min supplement. I also like to add fat to my weanlings' diets. Not too much, but just enough to provide exta calories. I use rice bran...powder is good, but they seem to like the pellets better.

arabianlover · 10-21-2005, 07:59 AM

well, Im not sure if this works on babys, but my friends vet told her to put corn oil in her OTT thoroghbreds feed, so you might lookinto that!!

Mariah

rodeochic · 10-21-2005, 08:11 AM

Thanks, everybody...I knew I could get some good tips. I know she'll be fine in no time, but I just feel sooo sorry for her. But, yesterday she "played" for the first time in the week that we've had her, running around the paddock with her tail straight up like a flag...so cute.

10-21-2005, 06:57 AM	#1
rodeochic Full Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nevada Posts: 89	Starving baby. My daughter and I recently purchased a 4 1/2 month old paint filly. We didn't really need another horse, but it was more like a "rescue". The "breeder" has fallen on hard times, and this filly was starving. Any thoughts on the best way to bring her weight back, safely? I don't want to over feed her and cause more problems. We wormed her, and I keep grass/alfalfa hay in front of her. I give her calf manna, about a pound a day, and "Grow Colt". Thanks. __________________ It's not the number of cows you own, but the quality of the horses you ride. Will James

10-21-2005, 07:20 AM	#4
Photochick Full Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 245 Images: 12	I have found using beet pulp is good for weight gain. Very high in fiber. I use it for my TB's in the winter because I can't give my guys any more grain or they will founder, so I use beet pulp. I take one large coffee can of beet pulp and two gallons of hot water in a bucket (to give them something warm for the winter). Let sit for 20 mins to allow the beet pulp to swell completely. It will almost fill an entire flat back bucket. I then add thier grain and if I'm feeling sweet, I add some apple sauce. Beet pulp is really good about keeping them hydrated as well. I feed it to them twice a day. __________________ Jerri Munn, Photographer www.jerrimunnphoto.com - "Capturing the Spirit"

10-21-2005, 07:59 AM	#6
arabianlover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Pal, Indiana Posts: 870 Images: 238 Blog Entries: 8	well, Im not sure if this works on babys, but my friends vet told her to put corn oil in her OTT thoroghbreds feed, so you might lookinto that!! Mariah __________________ check out my photography at www.give-me-envy.deviantart.com

10-21-2005, 08:11 AM	#7
rodeochic Full Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nevada Posts: 89	Thanks, everybody...I knew I could get some good tips. I know she'll be fine in no time, but I just feel sooo sorry for her. But, yesterday she "played" for the first time in the week that we've had her, running around the paddock with her tail straight up like a flag...so cute. __________________ It's not the number of cows you own, but the quality of the horses you ride. Will James

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10-21-2005, 07:04 AM	#2
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,699 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	If she was truly starved, don't be so quick to have free choice hay in front of her. Build up to it over a week or so.

10-21-2005, 07:20 AM	#3
AnnaBelle02 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,230 Images: 3	Pick up the book either Blessed are the Broodmares or Blessed are the foals (the second book would be the best choice) - it has many tips on how to feed/care for orphaned or early weaned foals.

10-21-2005, 07:34 AM	#5
Sue B Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,824 Images: 6	I think that you will find that just feeding her will help get the weight back on quickly. This probably isn't a matter of a needing "more" food, but rather just "some" food....normal amounts will bring this baby back to weight soon. Quality forage is the best approach....beet pulp, soaked alfalfa or hay cubes, alfalfa or hay pellets...all offer easily digestable calories/nutrients. I would eventually slowly offer a "growth" formula feed designed for weanlings. I always provide a protein supplement such as Milk Plus (similar to Calf Manna/Sunshine). I also use more forages than grain products and supplement with a quality vit/min supplement. I also like to add fat to my weanlings' diets. Not too much, but just enough to provide exta calories. I use rice bran...powder is good, but they seem to like the pellets better.