Arggg! Its Soo Annoying. Cash Wont Put On Weight!

[CremelloKendra]

Hes like one of those kids who can eat as much chocolate as they like and still put on no weight ! Its soo annoying. Atm cash is on

1 heaped scoop of alfa a oil
1 scoop of conditioning cubes.
and a handfull of linseed

One of the people said i should get rid of the conditioning cubes as they ae the shops own make and they have nothing in them. And put him on baileys no.4 topline. and the baileys cooked cereal?

Reccomendations please!
I hate having a horse that looks like an RSPCA rescue pony (thats a bit over exaggerated but you get my drill?)

P.s he has been on alfa beet. sugar beet and spidi beet. teeth are good and he has been wormed. btw spidi beet is not a good idea for cash, he rears for some odd reason :confused:

Oh and he had a stuffed haynet twice a day. about 4 leafs

[CremelloKendra]

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o117/tatum_tender/Picture052.jpg

Here is my point!

[x.Moomoo.x]

Have you tried Dodson & Horrell build up mix?

I haven't personally but know someone who has and it's done wonders :)

Sorry I'm not very helpful!!

[CremelloKendra]

No, what i have written down is everything i have tryed. having 2 horses whitch are perfect weights and he is not. Hes getting me a little annoyed!

[x.Moomoo.x]

Oh right okay.

Yeah I'd suggest to go to your local tack/feed store and ask some advice on feeding him it.
They can also suggest other feeds/supplements that may help him to put on weight - I do this as my old mare was 26 and found it hard keeping her weight at times and they also had really good suggestions and it was nice and put back on within 3 weeks. Good luck.

[CremelloKendra]

But as soon as i mention the breed tb. They give me something as if he is some nut job. But he isnt.? He is sooo laid back. So it doesnt really help :rolleyes:

[Elly Koopman]

Pink powder or a pelleted balancer like blue-chip, top-spec, equilibra?

[x.Moomoo.x]

But as soon as i mention the breed tb. They give me something as if he is some nut job. But he isnt.? He is sooo laid back. So it doesnt really help :rolleyes:

Oh okay. Sorry I wasn't of any help.

[CremelloKendra]

Thanks anyway :)

[ginny!]

Pink powder, calm + condition ??

cod liver oil, linseed oil and sunflower oil might be good to keep weight on.
Is there anyway you can just give him loads of hay and let him pick at it whenever (so he is never without)
Good luck :)

[CremelloKendra]

Pink powder, calm + condition ??

cod liver oil, linseed oil and sunflower oil might be good to keep weight on.
Is there anyway you can just give him loads of hay and let him pick at it whenever (so he is never without)
Good luck :)

Heyy 4 sections is ad-lib for him. there is always a bit at the bottom. and he munches on that all night.
Whats does pink powder do?
My mare has runny poo because she had a mare sometime last year and has not developed her muscles there yet? would that be good for her?

[Elly Koopman]

Pink powder has a whole load of vits & mins in as well as some of them have preprobiotics in that help the horse utilise all the nutrients in any feed you give him. Pelleted balancers do the same as well as adding condition :)

[CremelloKendra]

thanks :)

[Elly Koopman]

There's a powder called 'In the Pink' which according to the feedmerchant is by the guy who founded naf so is basically the same but only costs about £12 or less for 2kgs (about half the cost of NAF pink powder :) )

[vikkig]

i am struggling with weight at the moment as i took my mac off his feed supplement and he lost all of his weight :( i use 365 complete by www.equineanswers.co.uk, its 5 times stronger than blue chip and you can add it to normal feed (my mac wont eat blue chip)

so at the minute i am feeding sugarbeet, hifi senoir (as its conditioning) and a scoop of 365 and the weight is coming back nicely, i am feeding him atleast twice a day sometimes 3 times if i am there enough.

good luck in finding something that works for him, to me he doesnt look to bad as most tb you can see the ribs even when at the ideal weight its the way they are put together however the pic isnt at the best angle to see it all.

allen page fast fibre is also good, i used that for rebel with 365 complete look at the rebel and me :) thread and you will see the difference

[ladyluxor]

When i got my 2 tbs one 9yrs and one 18yrs, they were both severally under weight (u can see in my album i think)

I was feeding them on

1 scoop bailys no4 topline conditioning cubes
1 scoop chaff
1 scoop speedi-beet
1 small scoop pink powder (once a day)
1 cup of oil

plus hay in the field for wenever they felt like it.

This didnt make them heat up or go silly but it did make them put on weight without over doing it.

Another good thing to do is feed twicw a day instead of once until he build up.
If you would like to see some before and after pictures then i will be happy to post them for you on here.

[CremelloKendra]

Thanks i may have too try that!
It does really bug me sometimes. Because he is the only one at the yard like it.Apart from the polish man who gives is horses DRIED! linseed :mad:

[CremelloKendra]

When i got my 2 tbs one 9yrs and one 18yrs, they were both severally under weight (u can see in my album i think)

I was feeding them on

1 scoop bailys no4 topline conditioning cubes
1 scoop chaff
1 scoop speedi-beet
1 small scoop pink powder (once a day)
1 cup of oil

plus hay in the field for wenever they felt like it.

This didnt make them heat up or go silly but it did make them put on weight without over doing it.

Another good thing to do is feed twicw a day instead of once until he build up.
If you would like to see some before and after pictures then i will be happy to post them for you on here.

He is fed twice a day :)

[ladyluxor]

soz just to add....

Now they have there weight up i just feed them once a day with
1 scoop bailys cubes/mix
1 scoop chaff
1 scoop pink powder

n the hay thay have
when it starts to get really cold i will prob add a small amount of speedi-beet just to keep the weight on

[ladyluxor]

ooppps soory didnt read that bit.

how long have you had him??

the oil is defintly a bonus, just the cheep supermarkets own, it really helped the older tb gain weight as she was worse

[CremelloKendra]

thanks ladyluxor. as i said i cannot feed him speedi beet as he goes into a spaz :|

[ladyluxor]

hehe tb`s dnt u just love them.....:D

im sure you will get there with him.

[vikkig]

thanks ladyluxor. as i said i cannot feed him speedi beet as he goes into a spaz :|

try fast fibre if speedibeet makes him spaz as its pure fibre and works alot better then there calm and condition, it keep rebels feet on the ground where sugarbeet would of sent her into out of space

[CremelloKendra]

since november

[ladyluxor]

so a little while then, i would defintly try the pink powder as this might help with the loose poo aswell, and the cup of oil in his feed but only one feed a day with oil in, n 1 without.
My vet actually told me to add the oil.

[northern_rachel]

Call/Email a feed nutrionist. They won't "give you something low in energy cos he's a TB".
Calm & Condition, Pink Powder, Sunflower oil ect. It's always hit and miss with feeding. You also must be aware of quantities and especially sugar content. Too much sugar will make his droppings runny.
His weight doesn't look that bad, the angle of the picture/horse makes his hips/ribs look turned out.

[MrKia+Me]

Add oil to what he is getting maybe a coffee cup er feed. Is he on a general supplement?? If he is not getting everything he needs from the feed then it may be affecting how he holds weight.

I recommend a general supp like NAF general supplement. Kia has definately got more energy and looks good after I switched this into covr that which he isnt getting from the feed.

He is also getting heaped scoop of alpha A, Spillers conditioning cubes (these have worked great for him) and his joint supplement. He gets a coffee cup of oil per feed in winter two if he loses weight and gets fed twice a day and if in is on adlib hay mixed with haylege.

Rapeseed/vege oil or corn oil I have found to be the most palatable to horses and I have had great results with them. Just make sure if you go down the oil route that the horse is getting everything he needs as the oil can leech vits out of his system if not balanced :)

Nikki xxxx

[carthorse]

Can you swap his hay for haylage? And if he isn't already on good grass could you put him on some?

Bucket feed wise I'd go for Top Spec Comprehensive Balancer, Top Spec Cool Condition cubes (or if he's ok on cereals maybe TopSpec Super Conditioning Flakes), alfalfa & maybe oil. Ring Top Spec for advice, they're lovely & don't just suggest their own products, this is their website http://www.topspec.com/nutritional.htm

I'd also look at his management. Does he have a heavy workload that you could maybe drop a bit until he's got some weight on? Is he happy in the field or is he picked on or stressed? Is he in pain anywhere?

Some TBs just don't carry weight where you want, they can be a good weight & still look ribby.

[abisheridee]

I think he looks alright in the picture, actually. Is that bad? :rolleyes::confused:

[Madaz_Maddy]

Opps double posted!!

[Madaz_Maddy]

Sorry edit not working:rolleyes:, extra bits in bold!!

Dried linseed isnt actually a problem, there been alot of reaserach into it rescently and in the amounts fed it is no harm, they'd have to practically eat only linseed for it to become poisonous. Although if feed whole the horse cant digest it. They now recon its best fed, crushed (using like a tablet crusher) and about a handfull a day. Plus remember all countries feed differently;), alot of countries feed sugerbeet dry but in UK you'd get slanderd if you didnt soak properlly.:rolleyes:

Own brand feeds generally have less in them then specialist feed companies. They have basically the same stuff but just not the same balance.

You need to look at a high oil low starch based diet. Starch is best used on horses in a high energy exercise plan. I know you say he's very laid back but a high starch feed can raise the adrenalin (not directly) levels which burns up what your feeding them. Our vet sugeested upto a cup of oil each feed for an underweight horse (much worse than yours) so she was on 3 cups of oil a day, little change in the rest of her feed and voila, one healty pony!!:cool: However he said not to use cod liver oil, apparently does very little in comparison, (horse arent designed to digest fish based products, use a plant based oil) and really just makes their wee smell!! Really bad!!:mad:

I know this is obvoius but small regular feeds, even if it doesnt seem much split it up into smaller feeds, they stand much better chance of digesting it. :p

What ever scoops you feed in mix/nuts etc you should add the same number of scoops of water, then add chaff/beet. This then makes feed-water ratios correct for chewing and digesting to maximum.

Balancers and pink powder help digestion and give an allround help.

Email feed companies. I know alot of them are biased but they have qualified nutritionist who understand the products their selling. Listen carefully to what they are saying and make up your own mind. Spillars and Baileys both suggested bulking out their feeds with Dengie HiFi light with me, big brownie points!!:D:D Also if your interested in a feed they will send out vouchers. But when speaking to them ask for as much info as possible, especially oil and starch percentages, these two will give you the best way of compairing feeds. If they cant give you this information their hiding something and they dont want you to know it!!;)

Contact http://www.trm-ireland.com/ they do loads of products based round the TB, they should be able to help even if its just pointing in the direction of what can help, their really nice ppl. (have to say their Good as Gold is the best calmer on the market!!)

Dont stress to much, I have seen alot worse and the owners have been doing nothing about it.

[bexc3]

I would keep him on the alfa a oil but change your feed shops own brand feed to top line cubes or a branded equivalent, we've had alot of success with saracen show improver? If he's on the alfa a oil does he need added oil? Just an observation, i could be very wrong. Its strange that speedibeet makes him hype up and sugar beet doesn't cos speedibeet is practically sugar free. x

[domane]

Yes you can see his ribs but in a TB that's not a bad thing. To be honest, I think he needs to build up his topline - he needs more muscle along his back and on his bum. I got my boy a year ago and because he had terribly cracked feet, he didn't really do any work until March this year... he dropped sooo much muscle that coupled with his ribs showing, he looked AWFUL. I started working him in a training aid 3 times a week, building up from 5-minute slow sessions to 20 mins at walk and trot and it REALLY made a difference to his shape. He's going into this winter looking a heck of a lot more rounded than last year but you can still see his ribs....

His bum went from this (March):

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a179/domane/Roo/DSC00999.jpg

To this in May:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a179/domane/Roo/DSC01381.jpg

And I promise you, it wasn't just the spring grass!!! :)

[CremelloKendra]

Yes you can see his ribs but in a TB that's not a bad thing. To be honest, I think he needs to build up his topline - he needs more muscle along his back and on his bum. I got my boy a year ago and because he had terribly cracked feet, he didn't really do any work until March this year... he dropped sooo much muscle that coupled with his ribs showing, he looked AWFUL. I started working him in a training aid 3 times a week, building up from 5-minute slow sessions to 20 mins at walk and trot and it REALLY made a difference to his shape. He's going into this winter looking a heck of a lot more rounded than last year but you can still see his ribs....

His bum went from this (March):

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a179/domane/Roo/DSC00999.jpg

To this in May:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a179/domane/Roo/DSC01381.jpg

And I promise you, it wasn't just the spring grass!!! :)

O.ooo thanks for the bright outlook! i shall deff be doing that as he has a very tasty bum. XD
i deff will be putting him on topline now XD

[carthorse]

CremelloKendra, what Domane was saying is that it isn't just feed. You need to get him working correctly so he builds topline, not just pump him full of topline/conditioning feeds ;)

[CremelloKendra]

I know that. you need to do alot of trotting and walking. as canter is easier for them then trot on walk

[Lot1983]

Well, with Henry I've been feeding him up for about 6-8 weeks and he is really looking better, he gets THE BIGGEST net of heyledge at night time and I mean massive more than he could eat in 24 hours.

He also gets chaff, top spec and horse and pony nuts all rounded off with pink powder.

But he was thinner than Cash, I think as Domane says he is always going to be on the light side, you need to help build muscle and for that you really need to get an instuctor to asses his way of going.

[I've Arrived_]

Bluechip ?

[Luna Corona]

If you want to build up muscle, walk lots of hills (on the horse, obviously!).
And a (no longer) secret ingredient of feeds in a yard I used to work on that put on weight without fizz is Fenugreek seeds. If you have a health food shop near you that sells loose herbs and spices, ask them for a kilo bag, it should cost around a fiver. Use a tablespoon per feed, horses seem to love the flavour. It will take a few weeks, but it's worth the patience. It puts on all-over coverage rather than a "gut", so your horse will bloom all round.

[carthorse]

I know that. you need to do alot of trotting and walking. as canter is easier for them then trot on walk

It's a bit more involved than that, you can walk & trot them for hours every day but not build topline. You need to get him working correctly - engaging his hindquarters, lifting his back, working his tummy muscles & stretching over the whole of his top line. It can either be done when he's ridden, in long reins or on the lunge. I'd suggest that you get someone who knows how to do this to watch you & make sure you're working him correctly.

[CremelloKendra]

It's a bit more involved than that, you can walk & trot them for hours every day but not build topline. You need to get him working correctly - engaging his hindquarters, lifting his back, working his tummy muscles & stretching over the whole of his top line. It can either be done when he's ridden, in long reins or on the lunge. I'd suggest that you get someone who knows how to do this to watch you & make sure you're working him correctly.

But howw?

[orin]

my tb was a nightmare to feed. try middlings its cheap as chips and it works wonders!!!

[carthorse]

You really need someone to show you & then watch you do it so you get the feel for it. I know that isn't terribly helpful but so much of it is feel & I can't explain that in words. Once you get it you'll never forget though.

The nearest I can describe as to howI do it under saddle is this. I sit up but light through the seat so they can lift their back under me. Plenty of energy but using my body & leg to keep the rhythm steady & balanced. Hand soft & forward, I want them to stretch forward & down with the neck but not collapse on the shoulder so I don't just drop the contact. Keep riding the back end under but don't let him run. See, I told you I couldn't explain it!

[Zingy]

Agree with Carthorse re working him. He's lacking muscle more than weight.

Re feeding, I prefer not to feed any cereal feed at all - I tried it a few years ago and it made a big difference to how my horse kept weight on over winter. Lots of hay/ haylage then things like sugar beet and alfalfa products. Try ringing your local stockist for Simple Systems - they'll be listed on their website. Horse feed designed for horses imo; no cereals, no added sugar, just fibre based feeds that their digestive systems are naturally supposed to cope with.