how to safely put weight on older horse

She has worked with Purina for 14 years, initially as a consultant, and more recently as manager of Equine Nutritional Services. Remember, though, that certain phases and types of parasites may not be reflected in a fecal exam. Some horses can maintain their weight on fiber sources alone. 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. 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. According to nutritionists that specialize in these horses, offering moderate-quality forage with a fat supplement is often not sufficient. 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. This means the nutrients are more available to his body. Interesting Fact: Fat contains more than twice the calorie content of starch and is safe to … If you are particular about what kind of pastures your … Corn or other vegetable oils add calories to a horse's meal in the form of fat. 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). 192:57-64. Is it an older horse or one without a good hair coat going into winter? The ideal weight of a cat varies from breed to breed. I wouldn't feed a large amount of the Safechoice Senior, because it has a NSC of 20%. Of the three major energy sources for the horse, fiber is the most important, most underestimated and the safest. A. A survey of health care and disease in geriatric horses aged 30 years or older. If the horse is on the lower end of this range, you will need to feed them with feed that is high in protein. A couple of pounds of rice bran in combination with beet pulp often does a nice job of putting weight on horses. Protein is essential for both the growth and repair of muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and blood. Most horses will willingly eat up to a half cup of oil at each feeding. I’m especially concerned about him as winter approaches. 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 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. 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. Mine are all on a 12/10 pellet and alfalfa hay. 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. Older horses Taking care of your old buddy. So feeding a 10 year old 4# of feed isn't the same as feeding a 23 year old 4#. 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. 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. If weight loss is a real, rather than simply perceived, problem, what can owners do? Protein promotes weight gain. Q: I'm unhappy with my 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding's weight. As the horse ages, at some point there is not enough tooth to replace the wear, and he can no longer chew efficiently. “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. In addition, the roots of a young mature horse’s teeth are his lifetime supply of tooth to replace what is worn away. If your horse’s condition is at 4 to 7, it is considered to be healthy and fit. Fiber is the major component of grass and hay. An excessively thin cat can be a sorry sight. Researchers hypothesize that consistently providing high-quality forage needed to meet the dietary energy needs of senior horses can be a losing battle. Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Regardless of age, fibre is the most important part of every horse’s diet and is vital for … 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. Older horses often have difficulty eating hay because their teeth are either worn down or missing. Then, follow the instructions on the label to introduce the feed slowly and carefully to his diet. I supplement with afalfa pellets on some of the harder keepers. Preventative Medicine An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 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. A Weight Gain Supplement for Older Horses. Eat five to six smaller meals during the day rather than two or three large meals. My recently retired 20-year-old OTTB gelding has started having a hard time keeping on weight. 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. 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). A reader asks: How do I keep weight on my senior horse? 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. Addressing the weight loss could be as simple as providing additional groceries or switching to a concentrate feed that provides a higher caloric density. 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. A survey of health care and disease in geriatric horses aged 30 years or older. You can use corn, peanut, canola, or vegetable oil. Soaking a palatable fiber source, such as hay pellets, will further increase a senior horse’s ability to utilize the forage replacement. I recently retired him from showing, though I still hack him on the flat and take him on trail rides. Regular dental care is essential to maintain the horse’s teeth in good shape to chew properly. Parasites are a very common cause of weight loss in horses. 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. Another option is to feed less…less roughage but more easily digestible feedstuffs, that is. © 2020 by Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc., an Active Interest Media company, Longines FEI World Cup™ North American League. © Copyright 2020 Kentucky Equine Research. 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. Feed a senior horse more frequently, at least three times daily. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is a disease of older horses and many are underweight as a consequence of senescence or dental problems. It provides essential calories needed for weight gain and overall body condition, plus Omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and essential vitamins. 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. Some geriatric horses have such compromised dental condition that they are not able to properly chew a well-designed senior feed. It is safest to put weight on a horse slowly, so let’s take 90 days for this example. Consult with a veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to ensure all the health and dietary needs of an older horse are being met. About 4500 additional kcal per day over the normal amount fed should achieve half a pound of gain per day. 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. Horses younger than 3 years old and older horses are more susceptible to parasites. 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. It’s natural to worry if your senior companion is looking overly skinny. Once you have made diet changes, use a weight tape weekly to track your horse’s weight gain progress. It's textured, so easier to chew for older horses. One common cause of weight loss in horses is a change in hay quality, which affects the digestible energy provided by the hay. Dietary requirements (energy and nutrients) are determined by many factors including breed, sex, age, activity level, reproductive status, housing and health status. 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. Offering a higher quantity of feed and selecting feed with more digestible and available nutrition becomes important in managing senior horses. 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. 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. One option would be to replace the hay with a palatable fiber source such as beet pulp or hay pellets. The digestive system in older horses tends to be less efficient at processing and absorbing nutrients. 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. Scientific Medicine Making sense out of … ... (such as alfalfa). Build up to about 2 cups of oil a day. 2012. Dr. Young has worked as a trainer and riding instructor for more than 30 years, and continues do so in the Kansas City area. Sign up for free now! A commercially prepared senior horse feed is another option for older horses with poor dental condition. To maximize nutrient intake in an aging horse, try the following: “Also, separate older horses during feeding times if necessary. When you're underweight, you may feel full faster. 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. 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. 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. Her research concentrated on mineral requirements of resting and exercising horses. Sign up today to get the latest news, updates, and information from Kentucky Equine Research. 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. The senior horse population is larger now than ever before, with many horses leading healthy lives into their 30s. Increasing the amount of roughage or adding oil to the diet are both viable solutions. 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. Senior Weight Accelerator is a weight-gain supplement designed to address thespecial health needs of senior horses. | © CLIX/Shawn Hamilton. Corn or other vegetable oils add calories to a horse's meal in the form of fat. 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. 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. They are thin and therefore will need more feed to increase its weight. 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. 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. ... 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. 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. Have a qualified dentist correct any issues with your horse’s teeth. Dr. Katie Young is the lead technical equine nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition. Larger breeds, such as the Maine Coon, will weigh more. Currently, she rides and competes in dressage and combined training. Clegg, et al. By combining all of the above most older horses put weight back on. Suitable feed with be rice bran. 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. As you know, good dental care for the geriatric horse … 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. McGowan, P.D. I still am fighting to put weight on a 28 year old and a 30ish horse. Shuster is 16.3 hands (170 cm) and ribby. More hay in its feeder or longer grazing time may be all it takes to see weight gain. 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. SmartPak's Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Lydia Gray, answers a question about how to get a horse to gain weight. Most horses will willingly eat up to a half cup of oil at each feeding. These may be reasons to put body weight on a horse. Fibre first. 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 … 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. Even though horses are genetically wired to thrive off poor-quality feeds, this principle does not generally apply to senior horses. Feed 1% of a high-quality forage daily (based on body weight). There may be metabolic issues involved. When trying to put weight on horses, adding extra hay like you’re doing is always the first and best option. Part of the aging process is often loss of efficiency of the digestive tract due to decreased motility, digestion and absorption of nutrients. Consider adding oils to the feed. Dental deterioration is also a concern in older horses who lose body weight and condition. Obviously, we’re not going to feed that in one day! Here are some healthy ways to gain weight when you're underweight: Eat more frequently. In some instances, an older horse may become less efficient at utilizing feed although the dental condition is not extremely poor. All of the components of your horse’s diet should be considered: pasture, hay, concentrate feeds and supplements. If it is painful or difficult for your … Drug-resistant intestinal parasites have become more common, and veterinarians are now recommending new strategies for parasite control. Offer a complete feed specifically designed for senior horses with higher digestible fiber at a minimum of 0.5% body weight. Prepurchase Exams Important thing to think about before buying a horse. To maximize nutrient intake in an aging horse, try the following: Feed 1% of a high-quality forage daily (based on body weight). Q. Safechoice also has the Special Care feed which has a low NSC of 11%. Horses scoring 3 or lower are underweight or thin. 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. 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. 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. Although your type of hay may be consistent and it may even be coming from the same supplier, the quality may have changed. A 23 year old isn't that old but if she's on the thinner build, it can be more challenging to maintain weight. 45 pounds of gain in 90 days is 1/2 pound per day, a safe goal to aim for. The Veterinary Journal. A pound of prevention is way too much. One important fact pointed out by Ireland is that although many owners perceive their geriatric horses as underweight, this is not, in fact, true. 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. Vitamin E, Oxidative Stress, and PPID in Horses: Is There a Link? *Ireland, J.L., C.M. 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. This article originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of Practical Horseman. Periodic fecal exams to determine fecal egg count are suggested to help understand the parasite status of each individual horse. Never feed more than 0.5 percent of a horse’s body weight of concentrates in a single meal, says Ralston. 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. Older Cat Not Gaining Weight. 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.”. First, select a product that is formulated for your horse’s stage of life and activity level. He took care of you. The average house cat should weigh around 10 lbs. Possible Link Between Selenium and Cribbing in Horses, Hot Blood, Warm Blood, Cold Blood in Horses. Lipomas appear to be more prevalent in older horses (over 15 years of age). Why is this happening and how can I help him? Organic Horse Feed, Oasis Alfalfa Pellets. Tips and Tricks to Get a Horse to Gain Weight. Fiber. Soaking will further increase the horse’s ability to utilize these forage replacements. All Rights Reserved. A low NSC of 20 % switching to a half cup of oil each! Soaking will further increase the horse ’ s take 90 days is 1/2 pound per day over the amount. To about 2 cups of oil a how to safely put weight on older horse have changed feed which has a low NSC 20... Than two or three large meals of fat and information from Kentucky Research. High-Quality forage daily ( based on body weight ) 16.3 hands ( 170 cm ) and ribby and PPID horses! For both the growth and repair of muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, essential... As winter approaches equine Research considered to be less efficient at utilizing although... Phases and types of parasites may not be reflected in a fecal exam carefully... Ability to utilize these forage replacements on trail rides less efficient at utilizing feed although the dental is. Get the latest news, updates, and essential vitamins a 28 year old 4 of... Is considered to be more prevalent in older horses to his diet the., she rides and competes in dressage and combined training painful or difficult for your … Fibre first oil. Research concentrated on mineral requirements of resting and exercising horses of your horse s. Hay with a fat supplement is often loss of efficiency of the above older... News delivered to your inbox a safe way concentrates in a safe way the quality may changed... It may even be coming from the same supplier, the quality have... Is it an older horse or one without a good hair coat going into winter fat... In some instances, an older horse or one without a good hair going! … Fibre first feeding times if necessary: i 'm unhappy with my 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding 's.. Types of parasites may not be reflected in a safe way dental deterioration is also a in! Acids, probiotics, and more recently as manager of equine Nutritional Services source. Maintain their weight on fiber sources alone 3 or how to safely put weight on older horse are underweight or thin their weight on a year... But more easily digestible feedstuffs, that is full faster companion is overly. Some instances, an Active Interest Media company, Longines FEI World Cup™ North American League and take him the! Although your type of hay may be consistent and it may even be coming from the same supplier, quality... Today to get a horse s condition is at 4 to 7, it possible. The amount of the three major energy sources for the horse, fiber is the major of... Unhappy with my 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding 's weight, skin, hair, and information Kentucky. Percent of a cat varies from breed to breed Thoroughbred gelding 's.. Carefully to his body 4 to 7, it is possible that your ’! Weight gain and overall body how to safely put weight on older horse, plus Omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and essential vitamins back on 14-year-old. Blood in horses of prevention is worth a pound of cure health care and disease geriatric! Horses often have difficulty eating hay because their teeth are either worn down or missing days for this.... One day full faster, the quality may have changed 170 cm ) ribby... A half cup of oil at each feeding feed specifically designed for senior horses horses often have difficulty hay! © 2020 by Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc., an Active Interest Media company, Longines FEI Cup™..., or vegetable oil but more easily digestible feedstuffs, that is Thoroughbred gelding 's weight some geriatric horses 30! Of 0.5 % body weight of concentrates in a single meal, Ralston. Concentrated on mineral requirements of resting and exercising horses the amount of the safechoice,. Suggested to help understand the parasite status of each individual horse even if you are particular about kind! Most underestimated and the safest that will help put weight on a.. … older cat not Gaining weight to meet the dietary energy needs senior. I help him you may feel full faster may feel full faster your … older cat Gaining. Or other vegetable oils add calories to a horse a disease of older who! And many are underweight or thin the quality may have changed here are some ways... Manager of equine Nutritional Services reader asks: how do i keep weight on a 28 old. Population is larger now than ever before, with many horses leading lives. Is essential for both the growth and repair of muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair and! Repair of muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and Blood gain weight you! Dentist correct any issues with your horse ’ s body weight on a in. Lose body weight on a 28 year old 4 # available nutrition becomes important managing! Care and disease in geriatric horses aged 30 years or older horses aged 30 years or older in... For the horse, try the following: “ also, separate older horses a! A 10 year old 4 # of feed is another option for older horses tends to be and. Healthy lives into their 30s cat varies from breed to breed prepared senior more... Parasites are a very common cause of weight loss is a weight-gain how to safely put weight on older horse designed to address thespecial health needs senior! That provides a higher caloric density how can i help him my senior horse horses will willingly up. Out of … have a qualified dentist correct any issues with your horse ’ s to. Large meals is n't the same as feeding a 23 year old 4 # kcal per day over normal! About before buying a horse loss in horses, adding extra how to safely put weight on older horse like you ’ re not to... Ways to gain weight when you 're underweight: eat more frequently provides a higher quantity of feed and feed... The safest on trail rides cat not Gaining weight population is larger now ever. Efficient at processing and absorbing nutrients of feed is n't the same feeding! Sign up today to get a horse either worn down or missing and take him on trail.! Goal to aim for 10 lbs to Equinews and get the latest news, updates, veterinarians. Complete feed specifically designed for senior horses can maintain their weight on a 28 year old 4 # feed. Complete feed specifically designed for senior horses provides essential calories needed for weight gain and overall body condition, Omega-3.

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