My horse issues

[GldnValleyHens]

At 22 years of age, it might be time to switch him to a complete Senior feed, such as Triple Crown Senior or ProElite Senior. A lot of senior horses reach a point where they just don't metabolize hay as efficiently, and especially don't metabolize un-processed grains like cracked corn. Feeding a complete feed allows his body to access the nutrition easier. Do you know how many pounds of hay and pounds of pellets/corn you are feeding daily. Not "scoops" or "flakes", but actually weight.

The oil can be helpful, but it is 100% fat, and he may well need more nutrition than just the fat that the oil provides. I often use a ration balancer on my old guys, in addition to the Senior feed, as a way to get LOTS of calories/nutrition into them with very little weight of feed.

I don't know what the climate is like where you live, but all of my seniors that require Senior feed also get blanketed. Every little bit helps when it comes to conserving calories over the winter. I would rather my old guys expend the minimum amount possible to stay warm.

If he is beginning to have dental issues that make it hard to chew or digest hay, you may also want to consider adding soaked-to-soup hay cubes to his daily ration. I prefer alfalfa, but it can depend on what you have available locally.

Thank you for your detailed reply!! Much to my discomfort (lol) I do not weigh my hay flakes or grain. I probably should, because I know it is a way to be more accurate with your feeding. I used to weigh my grain, but discovered the scale was incorrect, and it made me stop using that way all together. I live in northwestern Illinois, and both my large horses are blanketed. One is a TB and very sensitive, and William ( the senior) has one this year too. He came from a farm where his owners didn’t believe in blankets, flymasks, or anything paid over 30$ for your horse. But I disagree and hoped this winter it would help with the calorie burn.
One thing about our hay is that it is grassy and leafy, pretty light and not packed tight. Actually, our earlier cutting is more mature but still really nice hay. I go through at least a bale and a half a day.
I have them on a 12% horse feed right now, but you’re making me convinced Senior is the way to go.

 

[chickens really]

I have an Arabian too and he will be 18. He suffered one season because of teeth. Took months to get him back up to a good weight. I wish you luck with him...

 

[GldnValleyHens]

Darn.... all I suggest is separate him into a paddock/pen alone and see if any weight builds on him?
Or contact the Vet to see what his opinion is?..

Yes, if he continues to drop and those hips become more pronunciated, I’m calling Doc Adams. Let me try to get some pics later, his blanket is on right now and I really don’t feel like taking it off.

 

[GldnValleyHens]

I have an Arabian too and he will be 18. He suffered one season because of teeth. Took months to get him back up to a good weight. I wish you luck with him...

Thank you!! ( and aren’t Arab’s the best?)

 

[chickens really]

Thank you!! ( and aren’t Arab’s the best?)

Definitely they are. Kupid is my heart and saved me through a troubled time. He is like magic to me..
My very best friend...

 

[chickens really]

Yes, if he continues to drop and those hips become more pronunciated, I’m calling Doc Adams. Let me try to get some pics later, his blanket is on right now and I really don’t feel like taking it off.

Could he be sweating under that?..Kupid has never worn a blanket.

 

[casportpony]

I think @Folly's place has some experience feeding senior horses.

I have some experience too. When one of my older ones starts looking a little thin I will have their teeth checked, offer free choice hay, and start feeding something like Purina Safe Choice Senoir.

Even though I'm in California, where the winters are mild, sometimes I will blanket the older ones, thinner ones because it really can make a difference in their comfort level. Just remember to check them on warmer days to make sure they aren't sweating, and check them on rainy days to make sure your rug is actually waterproof.

Edited to add:
IMO, 22 is not that old, so maybe you could have your vet draw some blood to check for other reasons that could explan the weight loss.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, have a blood chemistry panel run, and test for 'metabolic syndrome' / Cushing's disease. It's common in older horses, and runs in some families. Also have a fecal test run if you haven't this fall.
One of my older Arabian mares had an abdominal US at the university to help diagnose her impressive weight loss (she looked good rather than fat!) after the blood testing came up okay. Start with the blood workup though.
There are several labs that run Cushing's testing, and results can vary. I think California or Cornell were best?!? Your vet should know.
All the best!
Mary

 

[Percheron chick]

You are fighting a losing battle trying to get weight on a senior in the winter (if we're talking freezing weather). You have done all the normal steps up to this point. How bad was his mouth? He could still be having soreness issues while it heals. Does he eat by himself ? 5# of alfalfa that he can eat at his leisure can go a long way. I would ditch the corn as the pellets are both higher in calories and nutritionally balanced. Wet them to make them easier to chew. I would not add a weight builder as they are mostly just expensive dried fat. 1/2c oil per meal is easily tolerated . Adding roasted soybean or alfalfa is never a bad idea to up the protein to help build muscle. Have you considered ulcers? What did you deworm with? Consider doing a Power Pak.

 

[chickens really]

Contact your Vet if he is familiar with your horse ..