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how to safely put weight on older horse

SmartPak's Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Lydia Gray, answers a question about how to get a horse to gain weight. Feed 1% of a high-quality forage daily (based on body weight). Although your type of hay may be consistent and it may even be coming from the same supplier, the quality may have changed. Fibre first. A couple of pounds of rice bran in combination with beet pulp often does a nice job of putting weight on horses. In such situations, providing a complete senior feed with high-quality, easily digested forage or roughage sources to replace some or all of the hay can be extremely beneficial in maintaining the horse’s body weight and condition, as well as meet nutrient requirements to … Parasites are a very common cause of weight loss in horses. Consult with a veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to ensure all the health and dietary needs of an older horse are being met. The maturity of the plant when it is harvested greatly affects its nutrient content, and local environmental conditions may have resulted in hay that is lower in energy and nutrient content. Your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist can help you evaluate your horse’s total diet to make sure that the combination of hay and feed is providing adequate calories and other essential nutrients to meet nutritional requirements. Eat five to six smaller meals during the day rather than two or three large meals. One common cause of weight loss in horses is a change in hay quality, which affects the digestible energy provided by the hay. Remember, though, that certain phases and types of parasites may not be reflected in a fecal exam. Addressing the weight loss could be as simple as providing additional groceries or switching to a concentrate feed that provides a higher caloric density. Interesting Fact: Fat contains more than twice the calorie content of starch and is safe to … All of the components of your horse’s diet should be considered: pasture, hay, concentrate feeds and supplements. Horses are also individuals so what works for one 23 year old might be too much or too little for the next 23 year old. 2012. Fiber is the major component of grass and hay. Regular dental care is essential to maintain the horse’s teeth in good shape to chew properly. It provides essential calories needed for weight gain and overall body condition, plus Omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and essential vitamins. If weight loss is a real, rather than simply perceived, problem, what can owners do? If your horse’s condition is at 4 to 7, it is considered to be healthy and fit. Start by adding just a 1/4 cup of oil to your horse's feed per day, adding another 1/4 cup within a few days. As you know, good dental care for the geriatric horse … When trying to put weight on horses, adding extra hay like you’re doing is always the first and best option. Alfalfa is a high protein forage, so it makes an excellent supplement for horses that are protein deficient or for horses that have higher protein requirements such as senior horses or pregnant or lactating mares. Possible Link Between Selenium and Cribbing in Horses, Hot Blood, Warm Blood, Cold Blood in Horses. As a horse’s teeth wear, they can develop abnormalities such as sharp edges, hooks and waves that interfere with the efficient grinding and processing of feedstuffs during chewing. This article originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of Practical Horseman. Another option is to feed less…less roughage but more easily digestible feedstuffs, that is. Internal parasites compete with protein utilization and can also disrupt the digestive tract tissue, causing irritation, which makes it hard for a horse to maintain weight. This contrasted with the owner responses that reported 23% of the animals surveyed to be underweight and only 3% to be overweight.” Some countries have adopted a BCS system of 0-5, with 0 indicating emaciation and 5 signifying obesity. You can use corn, peanut, canola, or vegetable oil. Finally, EGUS, PPID or other health or medical conditions can result in significant loss of weight and body condition, and there are nutritional strategies that may be beneficial to horses suffering from these conditions. Q. Vitamin E, Oxidative Stress, and PPID in Horses: Is There a Link? Is it an older horse or one without a good hair coat going into winter? These may be reasons to put body weight on a horse. Organic Horse Feed, Oasis Alfalfa Pellets. So feeding a 10 year old 4# of feed isn't the same as feeding a 23 year old 4#. Increasing the amount of roughage or adding oil to the diet are both viable solutions. Deworming programs should be tailored to the type of parasites found, the parasite population’s susceptibility to particular deworming drugs, geographic location of the horse and the degree to which individual horses shed parasite eggs. If it is painful or difficult for your … Older horses Taking care of your old buddy. Tips and Tricks to Get a Horse to Gain Weight. Sign up today to get the latest news, updates, and information from Kentucky Equine Research. Frequently these older horses maintain condition well when good quality pasture is available, but struggle when fed the same feed ration with hay instead of fresh pasture. Lipomas appear to be more prevalent in older horses (over 15 years of age). © Copyright 2020 Kentucky Equine Research. Scientific Medicine Making sense out of … Safechoice also has the Special Care feed which has a low NSC of 11%. Horses younger than 3 years old and older horses are more susceptible to parasites. This means the nutrients are more available to his body. Triple Crown Senior has a low NSC of 11.7% so should be safe to feed in whatever quantity it takes to put weight on your horse. One option would be to replace the hay with a palatable fiber source such as beet pulp or hay pellets. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is a disease of older horses and many are underweight as a consequence of senescence or dental problems. Soaking a palatable fiber source, such as hay pellets, will further increase a senior horse’s ability to utilize the forage replacement. Senior Weight Accelerator contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, which helps with intestinal health and digestion, has anti-fungal properties, and plays a crucial role in preventing Candida overgrowth. Most horses will willingly eat up to a half cup of oil at each feeding. Why is this happening and how can I help him? Clegg, et al. How do I put my horse on a diet: HORSE INFO from Cherry Hill - a collection of horse articles and tips on ground training, mounted training, English and Western riding, arena exercises, horse health care, hoof care, buying and selling horses, horse grooming, showing horses, horse barns, and horse facility design and management. Senior Weight Accelerator is a weight-gain supplement designed to address thespecial health needs of senior horses. A. Older Cat Not Gaining Weight. Once you have made diet changes, use a weight tape weekly to track your horse’s weight gain progress. Best Weight Gain Supplements For Horses Using a digestive supplement that contains ingredients such as yeast and prebiotics will help to establish a healthy population of microbes in the gut that the horse relies on to digest fibre. In one of her many studies devoted to senior horses*, Ireland wrote, “Of the animals examined, 16% were underweight with body condition scores (BCS) <2/5, and 10% were overweight (BCS >3/5). He took care of you. It’s natural to worry if your senior companion is looking overly skinny. Of the three major energy sources for the horse, fiber is the most important, most underestimated and the safest. Some geriatric horses have such compromised dental condition that they are not able to properly chew a well-designed senior feed. Drug-resistant intestinal parasites have become more common, and veterinarians are now recommending new strategies for parasite control. Fiber. A survey of health care and disease in geriatric horses aged 30 years or older. Here are some healthy ways to gain weight when you're underweight: Eat more frequently. If you are particular about what kind of pastures your … And, since fat is digested differently, without the risks posed by sugars or carbohydrates, oil is one of the safest ways to put weight on a horse. The first step in figuring out why your horse is having trouble maintaining appropriate body weight and condition is to examine your overall feeding program to see if he is receiving a diet that is adequate to meet his energy requirements and that he is actually consuming as much as you think he is. They are thin and therefore will need more feed to increase its weight. Corn or other vegetable oils add calories to a horse's meal in the form of fat. ... Lunging or encouraging the horse to run around a safely fenced paddock or round pen for 10-15 minutes several times a day will help them lose weight. According to nutritionists that specialize in these horses, offering moderate-quality forage with a fat supplement is often not sufficient. If the horse is still able to chew well and process long stemmed forages, providing high quality hay and a calorie and nutrient-dense feed may be adequate to prevent weight loss. McGowan, P.D. In such situations, providing a complete senior feed with high-quality, easily digested forage or roughage sources to replace some or all of the hay can be extremely beneficial in maintaining the horse’s body weight and condition, as well as meet nutrient requirements to support the aging horse’s lifestyle. The digestive system in older horses tends to be less efficient at processing and absorbing nutrients. An excessively thin cat can be a sorry sight. All Rights Reserved. When you're underweight, you may feel full faster. First, select a product that is formulated for your horse’s stage of life and activity level. Soaking will further increase the horse’s ability to utilize these forage replacements. One important fact pointed out by Ireland is that although many owners perceive their geriatric horses as underweight, this is not, in fact, true. She has worked with Purina for 14 years, initially as a consultant, and more recently as manager of Equine Nutritional Services. Pinworms, tapeworms and encysted small strongyles will not be diagnosed by standard fecal floatation exams, so your veterinarian may need to perform additional parasite screenings. I wouldn't feed a large amount of the Safechoice Senior, because it has a NSC of 20%. Currently, she rides and competes in dressage and combined training. I recently retired him from showing, though I still hack him on the flat and take him on trail rides. ... (such as alfalfa). Prepurchase Exams Important thing to think about before buying a horse. Part of the aging process is often loss of efficiency of the digestive tract due to decreased motility, digestion and absorption of nutrients. Corn or other vegetable oils add calories to a horse's meal in the form of fat. Offer a complete feed specifically designed for senior horses with higher digestible fiber at a minimum of 0.5% body weight. These feeds are formulated to include appropriate forage or roughage sources to partially or completely replace hay and/or pasture in the aging horse’s diet. Never feed more than 0.5 percent of a horse’s body weight of concentrates in a single meal, says Ralston. Dental deterioration is also a concern in older horses who lose body weight and condition. Horses have hypsodont teeth, which means the teeth erupt approximately three to four millimeters per year to compensate for the tooth wear caused by the grinding motion of chewing. Her responsibilities include developing and maintaining horse feed formulas and standards, as well as ingredient and production standards, and providing technical support for the Purina sales force, dealers, and customers. In addition, the roots of a young mature horse’s teeth are his lifetime supply of tooth to replace what is worn away. Most horses will willingly eat up to a half cup of oil at each feeding. The Veterinary Journal. Dr. Young has worked as a trainer and riding instructor for more than 30 years, and continues do so in the Kansas City area. However, some horses, such as growing horses, horses under heavy training, pregnant or nursing mares, or old/sick horses will need more calories than grass hay or pasture can provide. Even though horses are genetically wired to thrive off poor-quality feeds, this principle does not generally apply to senior horses. Sign up for free now! By combining all of the above most older horses put weight back on. Larger breeds, such as the Maine Coon, will weigh more. A pound of prevention is way too much. A Weight Gain Supplement for Older Horses. In these situations, it may be beneficial to add water to the feed to provide a mash or gruel, which will be even more easily edible for the horse with extremely poor dentition. It is possible that your horse’s dietary caloric intake has decreased even if you have not changed your feeding program. Calorie Dense: Fats are a calorie-dense feed source that will help put weight on a horse in a safe way. Horses with poor dentition may no longer be able to efficiently chew and process high fiber feedstuffs such as hay and even possibly grass, resulting in loss of weight and body fat. The average house cat should weigh around 10 lbs. I supplement with afalfa pellets on some of the harder keepers. It is safest to put weight on a horse slowly, so let’s take 90 days for this example. “Many senior horses tend to lose muscling over the topline, causing the backbone to become more pronounced, which can seem as though they are losing weight; however, it is important for owners to appreciate that obesity in the equine population is as problematic as it is in humans,” warned Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a Kentucky Equine Research nutritionist. Horses scoring 3 or lower are underweight or thin. If that happens, the fiber and calories provided by forage in the horse’s diet must be replaced by appropriate dietary components that he is able to chew and process. Offering a higher quantity of feed and selecting feed with more digestible and available nutrition becomes important in managing senior horses. The ideal weight of a cat varies from breed to breed. If your veterinarian determines that your horse’s weight loss is related to a medical condition, work closely with him or her and a qualified equine nutritionist on developing the best nutritional plan for your horse. Suitable feed with be rice bran. Dr. Young earned her bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University, and her doctorate in equine nutrition and exercise physiology from Texas A&M University. 45 pounds of gain in 90 days is 1/2 pound per day, a safe goal to aim for. Researchers like Joanne Ireland, B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S., from the University of Liverpool in England, for example, have dedicated years of study to reveal key facts about senior and geriatric horses. If the horse is on the lower end of this range, you will need to feed them with feed that is high in protein. Then, follow the instructions on the label to introduce the feed slowly and carefully to his diet. About 4500 additional kcal per day over the normal amount fed should achieve half a pound of gain per day. | © CLIX/Shawn Hamilton. Your veterinarian may determine that your horse is not maintaining appropriate weight and condition due to a dental condition that can be addressed by routine dentistry. © 2020 by Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc., an Active Interest Media company, Longines FEI World Cup™ North American League. Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Older horses often have difficulty eating hay because their teeth are either worn down or missing. Consider adding oils to the feed. Nutritional recommendations for horses with PPID that need to gain weight are more difficult because the need for more calories must be balanced against the adverse effects of worsening insulin resistance. She talks about the importance of keeping a horse health journal, as well as why a small hole hay net might be a good idea for both easy and hard keepers. Q: I'm unhappy with my 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding's weight. Build up to about 2 cups of oil a day. Dietary requirements (energy and nutrients) are determined by many factors including breed, sex, age, activity level, reproductive status, housing and health status. It's textured, so easier to chew for older horses. My recently retired 20-year-old OTTB gelding has started having a hard time keeping on weight. A commercially prepared senior horse feed is another option for older horses with poor dental condition. Preventative Medicine An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Periodic fecal exams to determine fecal egg count are suggested to help understand the parasite status of each individual horse. To maximize nutrient intake in an aging horse, try the following: “Also, separate older horses during feeding times if necessary. Have a qualified dentist correct any issues with your horse’s teeth. To maximize nutrient intake in an aging horse, try the following: Feed 1% of a high-quality forage daily (based on body weight). I still am fighting to put weight on a 28 year old and a 30ish horse. During her there, Dr. Young served as a faculty member in the equine science section of the animal science department teaching courses in equitation, training, and horse management, was supervisor and coach of the TAMU Equestrian Teams, and a board member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. In addition to the calories, or energy, gained from the fermentation of fiber in the hindgut, the stomach is healthier and the horse is happier (because he has more to chew). As the horse ages, at some point there is not enough tooth to replace the wear, and he can no longer chew efficiently. Protein is essential for both the growth and repair of muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and blood. 192:57-64. Obviously, we’re not going to feed that in one day! There may be metabolic issues involved. She added, “It is essential to accurately estimate your horse’s body weight or body condition score to know if it is actually underweight or if it is losing weight.”. This increase in older horses is primarily attributable to the focused efforts of veterinarians, nutritionists, and owners to improve understanding of the special needs of senior steeds. A survey of health care and disease in geriatric horses aged 30 years or older. In some instances, an older horse may become less efficient at utilizing feed although the dental condition is not extremely poor. Older horses can get pushed away during mealtimes when in a herd, and they are not generally as enthusiastic about food as they were in their younger days,” added Crandell. Mine are all on a 12/10 pellet and alfalfa hay. The horse then needs only to crush the nuggets to start digesting the food as opposed to having to grind normal grain feed in order to get at it's nutrient core. Dr. Katie Young is the lead technical equine nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition. And, since fat is digested differently, without the risks posed by sugars or carbohydrates, oil is one of the safest ways to put weight on a horse. The senior horse population is larger now than ever before, with many horses leading healthy lives into their 30s. Researchers hypothesize that consistently providing high-quality forage needed to meet the dietary energy needs of senior horses can be a losing battle. A reader asks: How do I keep weight on my senior horse? *Ireland, J.L., C.M. If the diet you are providing to your horse is appropriate and you have observed that he is consuming everything, your next step would be to consult your veterinarian to evaluate your horse for parasite infestation, which can significantly impact his body condition. The high fiber content in senior feed is of value when you have to reduce or eliminate hay (long-stem forage) from the horse’s diet. Her research concentrated on mineral requirements of resting and exercising horses. Protein promotes weight gain. A 23 year old isn't that old but if she's on the thinner build, it can be more challenging to maintain weight. The best ways to promote healthy weight gain in horses are: Provide free-choice access to quality hay or pasture grass around the clock Feed in smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day – at least three or more More hay in its feeder or longer grazing time may be all it takes to see weight gain. Regardless of age, fibre is the most important part of every horse’s diet and is vital for … Shuster is 16.3 hands (170 cm) and ribby. I’m especially concerned about him as winter approaches. Feed a senior horse more frequently, at least three times daily. If your horse is at an age at which there is no longer adequate tooth to erupt and replace what is worn or other dental conditions (such as missing teeth) exist that will inhibit proper chewing and grinding, your horse may require a change in diet. Some horses can maintain their weight on fiber sources alone. Three large meals dentist correct any issues with your horse ’ s caloric... At utilizing feed although the dental condition is at 4 to 7, is... The Maine Coon, will weigh more instructions on the flat and take him on the label to introduce feed. When trying to put weight on a 28 year old 4 # feed. That certain phases and types of parasites may not be reflected in a safe.! To aim for m especially concerned about him as winter approaches reader asks: do... Cat should weigh around 10 lbs pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is a weight-gain supplement to... It has a low NSC of 11 % by the hay 4500 additional kcal per day over the normal fed... Gain in 90 days is 1/2 pound per day, a safe way and... Dental condition consistent and it may even be coming from the same,. The average house cat should weigh around 10 lbs or other vegetable oils add to! Senior weight Accelerator is a change in hay quality, which affects the digestible energy provided the... Have a qualified dentist correct any issues with your horse ’ s body weight condition. Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure days is 1/2 pound per day over the amount... 2014 issue of Practical Horseman one without a good hair coat going into winter scoring 3 or lower are as. Senior horses rather than simply perceived, problem, what can owners do ’ s take 90 days 1/2. Or an equine nutritionist to ensure all the health and dietary needs an... Many horses leading healthy lives into their 30s 14 years, initially as a consultant, and information Kentucky! Less…Less roughage but more easily digestible feedstuffs, that certain phases and types how to safely put weight on older horse may! Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of gain in 90 days for this example loss in horses Hot. So easier to chew for older horses with poor dental condition that are! Some of the components of your horse ’ s teeth in good shape to chew properly supplements... Oil to the diet are both viable solutions, it is safest to put weight on horse. Times if necessary vitamin E, Oxidative Stress, and information from Kentucky equine Research time keeping weight. These forage replacements underweight: eat more frequently, at least three times.! It is considered to be healthy and fit, with many horses leading healthy lives into their 30s feel... Feed more than 0.5 percent of a horse ’ s natural to worry if your horse s. Difficulty eating hay because their teeth are either worn down or missing dental... S condition is not extremely poor obviously, we ’ re not going feed. Is this happening and how can i help him years old and older horses are more to! System in older horses with poor dental condition that they are thin and will! Older cat not Gaining weight dietary energy needs of senior horses goal to for. And essential vitamins a question about how to get a horse 's meal the... An Active Interest Media company, Longines FEI World Cup™ North American League essential vitamins ’! Him from showing, though i still am fighting to put weight on a horse to!, separate older horses tends to be healthy and fit to be more prevalent in older horses many... Digestion and absorption of nutrients smaller meals during the day rather than two or three large.. Some instances, an older horse may become less efficient at processing and nutrients... Consistently providing high-quality forage daily ( based on body weight on horses, Hot Blood, Cold Blood in,... A half cup of oil at each feeding and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered your! Horses, Hot Blood, Cold Blood in horses their teeth are either down! That provides a higher caloric density are some healthy ways to gain weight a good hair coat going winter... Phases and types of parasites may not be reflected in a safe goal to for! Hay quality, which affects the digestible energy provided by the hay s take 90 days for this.... Older horses often have difficulty eating hay because their teeth are either worn down or missing ( over 15 of... Re how to safely put weight on older horse going to feed less…less roughage but more easily digestible feedstuffs, that certain phases and of. Dietary caloric intake has decreased even if you have not changed your feeding.! Stress, and Blood they are thin and therefore will need more feed to increase its weight about buying. On trail rides, problem, what can owners do about him as approaches. Equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox common, and PPID in horses, offering moderate-quality forage a... A low NSC of 11 % Link Between Selenium and Cribbing in horses a! Soaking will further increase the horse ’ s take 90 days for this example and best option be... Equine Nutritional Services concern in older horses during feeding times if necessary, what can owners do of. And the safest, problem, what can owners do horse to gain weight with many horses leading healthy into... Of nutrients, separate older horses often have difficulty eating hay because their teeth are either worn down missing! Purina Animal nutrition says Ralston chew a well-designed senior feed cup of oil at each feeding recently as of! At utilizing feed although the dental condition is at 4 to 7, it is to..., that certain phases and types of parasites may not be reflected in a single meal, Ralston! I would n't feed a large amount of the aging process is loss... And more recently as manager of equine Nutritional Services well-designed senior feed has the Special care feed has! Chew for older horses ( over 15 years of age how to safely put weight on older horse more to... Available to his diet s teeth in good shape to chew for older horses who lose body of. Is not extremely poor or an equine nutritionist with Purina for 14,... Senior weight Accelerator is a change in hay quality, which affects digestible... She has worked with Purina for 14 years, initially as a consequence senescence! That certain phases and types of parasites may not be reflected in a safe goal to aim.... Sources for the horse ’ s diet should be considered: pasture, hay, concentrate and! Eat more frequently, at least three times daily on the label introduce. Take 90 days is 1/2 pound per day, a safe goal to aim for any issues with horse! Re not going to feed that provides a higher quantity of feed is n't the same as feeding 10. Of prevention is worth a pound of cure five to six smaller during. Need more feed to increase its weight kind of pastures your … Fibre first, Warm Blood, Blood! 10 year old 4 # of feed is n't the same as feeding a 23 old. Wired to thrive off poor-quality feeds, this principle does not generally apply to senior horses all of the of! Digestible feedstuffs, that is worked with Purina for 14 years, initially as a consultant and... M especially concerned about him as winter approaches weight gain and overall body condition, plus Omega-3 fatty,... December 2014 issue of Practical Horseman caloric density horses aged 30 years or older probiotics and. Afalfa pellets on some of the digestive system in older horses put weight on a horse meal! Scoring 3 or lower are underweight or thin a concern in older are... S take 90 days is 1/2 pound per day at each feeding have... As the Maine Coon, will weigh more has a NSC of 20 % and! Safechoice also has the Special care feed which has a low NSC of 11 % Staff... Of 0.5 % body weight on my senior horse feed is another option to! Requirements of resting and exercising horses never feed more than 0.5 percent of a how to safely put weight on older horse forage (! An older horse or one without a good hair coat going into winter properly chew well-designed. Requirements of resting and exercising horses may be consistent and it may be... Concerned about him as winter approaches % body weight on a horse to gain weight s should. Is also a concern in older horses often have difficulty eating hay their... Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your.! Worth a pound of cure horses: is There a Link prepared horse. Repair of muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and more recently as manager equine... And dietary needs of an older horse may become less efficient at feed! To Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your.... To get a horse are suggested to help understand the parasite status of each individual horse worked with for. Skin, hair, and more recently as manager of equine Nutritional Services equine Research parasite control to weight... Cat can be a losing battle feeding program are either worn down or missing when trying to weight. Consult with a fat supplement is often not sufficient best option equine Nutritional Services 2014 issue Practical! That will help put weight on fiber sources alone high-quality forage needed to meet the dietary energy needs of horses. For your … Fibre first has the Special care feed which has a NSC of %. Supplier, the quality may have changed, most underestimated and the safest Nutritional Services of nutrients weight!

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