[Muttley94]

My friend recently got a 5 yr old hunter and he is lovely but doesn't seem to gain any condition at all. The vet said feed him better quality food but he is on the best. Just thought I would ask on here for any advice?

[Hermit]

I dont know much personally about the finer side of feeds etc but my  has sister looked after some stonking horses in her time. She believed in the old ways , boiling up linseed mixes herself, boiling old potatoes or 'pig potatoes' as she calls them, a natural yoghurt a day, a stout a week etc etc. As I said I only have heard her talk about condition and the old ways but there must be more info on the ether somewhere.

[robert waddell]

animals are not machines  just because you feed good feed you anticipate an instant improvement  it does not work like that    they lose condition quicker than they put condition on    you have to give it time and be patient

[Muttley94]

thanks not a patient person but I will try  I only asked as he was in a fab condition all last year, was in over winter and eats so much! But now he has lost it all 

[robert waddell]

all animals that are kept in look a bit scabby rough or whatever they all come round alright with plenty of feed and a bit of attention and plenty of spring grass maybe not so much grass with a cuddie

[lachlanandmarcus]

Get them to try Pink powder,  or plain brewers yeast, helps their tummies make best use of the food thats being given. Also helps prevent colic.

I dont feed my veteran any other supplements (lami pony does get magnesium) and am pretty sceptical  but Pink powder really worked on my old chap after he had a recurring virus for 2 years and was like a hat rack.

The other thing it has going for it is you feed a tiny amount so it is very cheap even tho the price of a tub might make you think otherwise and its palatable tasting so the horses even the fussy ones dont notice it in the feed.

[Muttley94]

Thanks I'll tell him to get some. The horse has a great coat, really glossy and smooth, it's just that he looks skinny over his hind quarters and neck. A good point about him is that he is the least fussy horse I have ever met! Thanks for the advice 

[dixie]

Agree pink powders good, and as much as I hate to say it Blue chip is excellent (ridiculous price though) we had a thoroughbred who was  difficult to keep in good condition, but these both made a massive difference to her, along with lots of walking out hacking, rather than trotting/cantering.

[smudger]

Ad-lib hay or haylage.

[sabrina]

could he have lost muscle over the winter, has he had a worm count. Teeth checked, blood count. What feed was he fed and how much. Was he warm enough in his stable.

[Muttley94]

Thanks, I will suggest blue chip and walking out hacking too I'm not too sure what feed he gets but its the same stuff he was on with his previous owner and he gets the same amount. Vet has done all checks and says he is fit as a fiddle. Ad-lib hay and more feed than the other horse of about the same size. Another thing is that he drinks so much. I'm not very good with horses, but I can see that this lad eats and drinks about twice as much as his stablemate 

[Hellybee]

we use Top spec here and i think its a fantastic product.  Top spec offer great customer support, of course they will recommend theyre own products, but are very good all the same, they will listen and help outline the best way forward  

Has the vet done a  urine test ?

[Muttley94]

I'll suggest that to my friend too thanks! I don't think so but I would have to ask. Thank you all for your advice, I love this forum. Everyone has problems of their own but still find time to help others with theirs, so thanks 

[smudger]

Dr Green will be coming up if he has turn out access (obviously has its own complications). Does he box walk or any other anxiety type behaviours?

Re- worming, encysted red worm can be persistent. I had a mare who was very colicky despite being on a  4x year worm programme. I had moved her onto Equimax (Ivermectin based) as she was lactating. After this had gone on for months, my vet did blood tests which were 'elevated' and he recommended 5 daily dose of double strangth panacur (liquid cheaper than the sachets and many folks use the cattle/sheep which is cheaper again, but not licensed obviously ).  Followed that up with Equest, which is what she had the first year since I owned her (think its moxedectin?) about 6 weeks later at the same time as the other horses.  If a problem suspected then best to dose twice  for encysted with alternate products ie the Panacur (fenbandazole) then Equest (moxedectin) (or vice versa). Usually Nov/Dec and Feb/March depending on mildness/frosts.

Its also the start of the grazing season so time for tapeworm dosing as well.

Neither of these show up in worm counts.

(apologies if drug names spelt wrong)

[Hellybee]

Panacur Equine guard 5 daybottle, very good gentle but effective