PasoVoice.Com :: Feeding an underweight horse

caliber · Site Admin

When we first rescue an underweight horse, what is the process that you use......, by the way, is a Paso horse.

(please note: this is a direct rescue from a neglected situation, not from any organization)

1. Vet check (vaccinations, blood work, goggins, worming and etc....)
2. Dental check
3. Trimming

Then, how do we start the nutritional process, and how long will it take(months) to get the horse on the right weight?

britzlove

I follow the slow but sure way to feeding one that's been starved, especially if it has been a long time since the horse has been fed right.

1st of all, it's difficult for their systems to process rich foods at first, so your first urges might be to dump the good stuff on, but you should avoid it.

A good clean grass hay should be available at minimum three times a day. Fiber is your primary concern at first. When I've rescued in the winter, I've found it good to give a warm bran mash. One secret I have and will share is that I use rice oil and corn oil mixed 50/50 in a spray bottle, and I spray whatever I feed with it when I want more calories, less mass.

The first weeks are critical, the first days especially. When you are dealing with a horse and there is no body mass, skin and bones, you are really in a place where you have to take it slow on the organs. As mean as it is, my critically thin horses have not recieved grain for up to three weeks before.

Then I introduce pelleted feeds, 1/2 cup at a time, gradually increasing to never more than 1.5% of body weight.

You can spray the oil on hay even, I'm proud I figured that one out after years of wasting oil and $.

The first starved horse I had to learn this stuff for was my own, a horse lent to a friend. He was young too, so it was extra important, the specialist said, to accustom his body slowly to food, in order to hope he wasn't permenently stunted.

**edited to add, I don't know how long it will take, depends on the horse. Two years ago I got 3, two were bad, one was critical. Two came around in about 6 mos, the other really took well over a year to really come into her right condition.**

caliber · Site Admin

Britz wow! thanks for the advise and sharing the secret! I have heard of corn oil but never about the 50/50 rice/corn mix!

How long did it take your horse to come back to its normal weight?

britzlove

I'll list them by name and status:

Critical:

Striker-QH-about 9mos
Leinesse-Clydesdale-almost a year
Lady-was a TWH and had cancer, she responded quickly, to get to a thin but healthy condition, but it was always an issue with her, I mean, her ribs always showed, but she had mass at chest and tail/hip. She went from starved to thin in about 4 mos. Stayed thin forever. She was free leased to two families, taught two people to ride, and came back to be buried on my Momma's farm.
Cecelia-paso-more than a year

Poor:
Reflexion, Empresaria-Pasos-6 mos, a little less for Reflexion, she was older
Pistol-Paso-yearling when I got him-6mos
Nino-paso gelding-two months (he was really pretty thin, but he bounced back quickest I've ever seen)

The rest of my rescues, or horses aquired were either healthy or mental/emotional cases.

caliber · Site Admin

Wow! that was detailed, thank you so much for your time! I am sure we all can get a good idea of the process! I find your information very helpful.

Usually takes me around 8 months!....

Saludos!

britzlove

Maybe someone else will you never know...

It's important to share because so much can do more harm than good. What you wouldn't want to do is throw the horse out on lush pasture, dump tons of grain on them. Unfortunately, I have seen bad things happen when well intenioned people pick up a starved horse and dump too much rich food on them. If it doesn't kill them, it still sets total health back.

Founder, Laminitis, Colic, and unfortunately total organ failure are risks that are common with horses rushed through recovery.

Marleen Robinson

Britz, I am so with you on those guidelines. This is such a touchy subject, because every horse/case is so different. My one big rule (for grain), to anyone is: LESS IS BEST.
I personally will feed a good quality grass hay, no grain. Free grazing is great, but only in moderation. Do not ever put a rescued, underweight horse out on lush pasture!!! It looks soo good to us, and the horse, of course Smile

. But it will kill! Human nature, so many times, results in 'killing with kindness'. We all see the starved, thrown out kitten, dog, on the side of the road. Take them home, feed the crap out of'em, and the stomach explodes, or they twist a gut.

Anyway, back to feeding... My little Paso mare was very underweight, but she was also vetchecked,and supposedly, her hooves where trimmed, and with all of the requirements, we got her from FL to NC. (9 hrs later, I got home, and her in a stall. I think she just died and went to Heaven Rolling Eyes

She is in good shape now, considering.
However, even though I brought home some of her own
hay and feed, (always makes transfers better), I only fed that night. Next morning, she got a handful of her grain, at noon she got a handful of her own grain, with a small handful of mine. SLOWLY, I introduced more grain, over time. and eventually with the help of my best friend, I changed all of my horses' diet. It has had awesome results, so far.
To anyone rescuing any critter, It may seem mean, but please DO NOT OVERFEED!!!