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Discussion on Weight Loss in Horses
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New Member:
jolene
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Posted on Friday, Mar 28, 2008 - 10:31 am:
Dr.O
Please could you help me, my daughter has a 17 year old quarter horse appendix, and she has lost weight this winter and last winter. When we let her have green grass in the summer she fattened up until like January then lost the weight. We are feeding a grain (blue seal Vintage Victory) which is 10% Protein and 10% fat also beet pulp which vet recommended by the way the amount of grain is 4qts, 2 times a day. She will not eat any thing put on her food (Oil, Weight builder, Probotics etc.) I am at wits end trying to put weight on her and I have no one I can ask for advice on this. I would appreciate the advice. She is wormed every 3 months, vet even took stool sample came out fine. teeth were floated. I don't know what else to do.
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Member:
parker66
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Posted on Friday, Mar 28, 2008 - 1:33 pm:
What type of hay is she on in the winter?
I've had horses who won't eat the grocery oil, but they will eat Cocosoya (from Uckele). They sell a one gallon container and it would be worth a shot.
You may also want to try Vintage Racer, but be careful when making the transition. I believe Vintage racer is 12.5% proteing and it is higher than 10% fat.
Either way, I would try the alfalfa first if you are currently feeding orchard grass or soemthing less than alfalfa.
We have a 24 year old thoroughbred mare who gets one coffee can of Blue Seal Strider + 2 flakes of alfalfa twice a day and she's a fat pig.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 - 9:14 am:
Jolene,
I agree with Rodney, since you do not reference what forage is currently being fed and when good grass was available last summer the horse did well, forage quality and/or availability are suspect. I want you to start with the article "Overview of Nutrition" playing particular attention to "The Golden Rule" and sections on assessing forage quality. This must be your first step for addressing concentrate supplementation.
DrO
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