My horse just wont put on weight!?

Question

Sir Abili Exclusive is nine years old, 17.2 hands, and could stand to gain a significant about of weight. He's a registered quarter horse (not sure how that happened), but his pedigree is mostly thoroughbreds. Currently, he is turned out to pasture with three other horses. His "brothers" in the pasture (an Arab, 23yrs; quarter horse, 2yrs; Spanish barb, 8yrs) are all a healthy weight –if not, the latter two, a bit pudgy. They graze on their seven acre pasture, are fed two to three flakes of alfalfa (each) a day, and given supplements once a day (each horse's sups vary, Sir Abili's consist of oat mo, alfalfa pellets, corn syrup and a weight gain powder). Alibi is the dominate one; no one steals his food. He's "parrot-mouthed", has a large over bite, and so has to have his teeth floated every six months. We've had him three years; his weight fluctuates, but never gets anywhere near adequate. Unfortunately, our vet can find nothing wrong with him. Up to date on all shots and worming...

Answer 1

Suger beet is used for horses that need to gain weight.

Answer 2

Give him all the hay he wants, not just at night, also if you can start giving him wheat germ oil with his oats that will help a lot! With him getting older I would recommend buying Purina Equine senior, which is what I use for my older horses if you can, as horses get older they normally have a harder time keeping weight on so a feed that is formulated for them is best. Is it cold were you are? If so a blanket will help him put extra weight on it's amazing how many calories horses burn when they don't have a blanket! If he isn't already I would also lock him in for meal times to make sure he's eating everything. I hope this helps, good luck!

Answer 3

I have 2 thoroughbreds a 6 year old gelding 17.5 hands and a 5 year old mare at 17 hands.The gelding is well built and very athletic, the mare has lost weight and she is not to athletic.My local feed supplier advised to keep her stalled and feed her half sweet feed and half Armaline, (I think i spelled it right), and keep her on the hay. Feeding time is also important, try to feed the same time everyday, and these type horses do need to excersize daily, use a round pen and work them. Good luck.....

Answer 4

There are supplements you can add to the feed other than the powder. You may want to check into other products that are available. If he is healthy and not racing, then his weight may be OK for him.

Answer 5

i used beet pulp to give my horse more weight(due to a ton of unexpected snow) others i used to board with use beet puld and it helps a lot.

Answer 6

feed it a liitle bit of meat in its regualar meals