Ok, I have a Quarter Horse yearling that is looking pretty skinny. He is on 12% sweet feed, about a half coffee can full every day, he has been wormed. Should I feed him more or what???
2006-07-20 14:53:48 · 15 answers · asked by joescheyder 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
And he is also grazing.
2006-07-20 15:00:21 · update #1
He is turned out all the time.
2006-07-20 15:03:42 · update #2
I remember my first yearling, he looked skinny to me all the time cuz I was comparing him to my other horses... all fat as butter. I kept complaining to my vet that he was too skinny and he kept telling me GOOD leave him alone. When he was 4 he finally blossomed out into a gorgeous stocky horse and he's been solid ever since. Get him checked but don't stress. As long as he's active and his coat is good, he's prolly just fine.
2006-07-20 17:18:02 · answer #1 · answered by jazzalea 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
When was the last time you wormed him and had his teeth floated? Young horses are prone to getting worms easier that older horses.You might want to worm him with something that kills tapeworms,like Zimectrin Gold..Plus the young ones need their teeth done very 6 months at that age.
I personally keep my young horses on 16% until they are yearlings ,then they go on 14% until they are 2 (my Arabs I keep on 14% until they are 3) and then go to 12%.For my pasture pals I just have them on 10% and they do fine.
Even if your horse is grazing you should offer him hay.My guys have tons of pasture.I give them free choice of a square bale.Lately they have been eating the heck out of the hay even though they have grass.Horses pretty much know what they need.That is why I keep hay out as well as 2 types of salt blocks so they can self regulate.
I would increase his feed slowly by a handful a day until you are up to a little over 3/4 of a coffee can.See how he does on that.He might need a full can.I try to use a little grain as possible(except in the winter) and I feel they do better without it.
You might also want to have a vet out to take a blood sample.It's possible he has an underlying condition that is making him lose weight.Best of luck.
2006-07-21 11:32:40 · answer #2 · answered by NicoleinPA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When was the last time you wormed him (make sure your worming is up to date and it's a different wormer to the last time you did it), he's young, and maybe in a growth spurt, at which point you MAY need to incease his feed, but check with the vet first. Has he suddenly lost weight, or has he always been lean? What condition is his coat? Do all the checks - temperature, pulse rate, capillary re-fill test, are his gums a healthy colour, make sure his coat is shiny and not dull or starey, does he seem his normal self and healthy other than being skinny? Would suggest that you get the vet out, or consult him in any case, is the grazing good or is the grass poor? Lots of things to look at, Vet would be able to advise you better than I can from here.
Good luck
2006-07-21 04:29:19 · answer #3 · answered by mandaroo63 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely have a vet check your colt out. We had a 2 year old filly that got thin over the summer (all our horses live in a pasture full time). We had wormed her, but it didn't help. Come to find out she had a blood infection and almost died. There were several times I just knew when I got out to the barn to check her, she would be dead; thanks to my vet (and about $1000 worth of vet bills), she pulled through. Don't wait, it will probably be cheaper to nip something in the bud, than to wait until you have a big problem on your hands. Plus, you'll have peace of mind knowing, even if there's nothing wrong.
2006-07-21 21:34:00 · answer #4 · answered by cmdynamitefreckles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Add corn oil to his feed (about 1 cup) and up his feed over a 2 week period of time to 5-6 pounds split into 2 feedings (3lbs in the morning, 3lbs in the evening)
Check with your vet, too.
2006-07-21 09:35:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy senior feed. i think it is made by purina. the feed is softer and easier to digest as well as having more fat in it to supplement. Mix about 1/2 sweet feed and 1/2 senior feed. That will get him to fatten up. Just be careful to keep an eye on him as he can easily become too fat. how often and how long is he turned out? adjust him to being turned out most of the day or most of the night. hope this helps.
2006-07-20 22:02:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should increase his sweet feed ration. Since he is on pasture, and he still isn't putting on weight, if at all possible, give him a few flakes of grass/ alfalfa hay. Have your equine vet check him out, hopefully he/ she can figure out what is wrong; also, I wouldn't re- deworm him unless the vet says it is okay. If none of that works, try a supplement that helps horses put on weight.
I hope this helps, and good luck!
2006-07-21 00:17:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recently bought a yearling and to put weight on her she is getting a scoop full of grain a day. I bought her mare and foal feed. But corn also holds a lot of fat
2006-07-21 08:14:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd Consult a Vet and get a fecal done.And a Professional opinion. He May need more feed..May be going through a lanky stage, Worms..Who knows....But he is at a critical age and you dont want to mess him up! Good Luck!
2006-07-20 22:00:35 · answer #9 · answered by roxie_29812 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are starting him on lounge line give him alfalfa hay and leave the grain at the rations you have him on. You could also worm with again with zirmectrin and for tape worms . My horse picked up tapes from cats in the pasture .
2006-07-20 21:59:21 · answer #10 · answered by ₦âħí»€G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋