adding weight for winter

Question
Hi Denise,  I asked for help on 8/15 with our "aggressive" exstud.  We took your advice and life is 10 x's better for my daughter, Page and me.  We now board with a family a few miles away, but it is worth the drive to keep everyone happy and healthy.  
The new digs are outdoors for this 1st winter and Page needs to add weight.  He lost a lot of weight due to the underfeeding at our first barn.  Since he is 18 he is on senior feed.  A retired vet friend has advised against it saying it won't add enough weight.  We are also increasing his grass hay intake.  It's been a month and we haven't noticed any difference.  Am I expecting too much too soon?  We are in the north Boise area and winter isn't far off.  What do you suggest?

Answer

Our kids in the pastur Hi Anna!

I'm so glad that things are working out for all of you!  I like using rice bran.  It adds calories, fats all while low in non structural carbohydrates.  It does not add excess energy and gives your horse a beautiful coat!  I find the horses seem to like the pelleted rice bran best.  I use Equsis brand...I'll double check the name for you.  It is about $11.00 per 50 pound bag.  The bag is white with purple lettering...the pellets are small and easy for horses to chew and digest.  I also like "strategy".  This is a Purina feed product.  I would do a combination of strategy, rice bran and alfalfa pellets for your guy.  I have had great luck putting weight on Thoroughbreds that are in work with this combination.  It seems to help build weight over the top line with no belly, no excess energy.

Try this out.  You should see a difference in a week.  I don't like senior feeds.  They can contain so much sugar and this is just not good for older horses.  Start out slow when changing a feed program.  If you are not seeing the changes you are looking for, keep increasing the ration of concentrates and forages until you start getting results. You can then back off and adjust to a level that maintains a good weight.

Make sure your deworming program in on track as well.  If you are still not getting what you want, start adding a blend of corn oil and wheat germ oil to his grain ration.  Start with 1/4 cup in the morning and evening.  This whole program will really make changes in your horse.  You will see it in his coat, hooves, and overall condition.  Don't forget to add a good vitamin/mineral supplement as well.  Check out Dynimate products or Platinum Performance products on the web.  I use both and have always been pleased.

When the weather gets really cold, you will have to make at least a 20% increase in your geldings total ration.  Horses burn lots of calories heating their bodies.  He should at least have some sort of cover from the rain and wind.  If he doesn't have trees to snuggle up under, you may want to think of a pre-fab run in shed.  They are available at most farm and feed stores and they are portable so you can take it with you wherever you go!  They are made out of metal panels with a tin roof, and you use plywood for the siding.  Easy to put up and take down and they offer perfect breaks from the rain and wind.  If shelter is not an option for you, invest in a good turn-out rug that is made for your climate and bad weather.  This way your horse takes his shelter with him!  A good turn-out rug will keep him warm and dry.  Spend the money on a really good one with Kevlar fabric and is designed to cover the neck as well.  If you are relying on a turn-out to provide extra protection for your horse, make sure it is removed at least every other day, kept clean and your horse is groomed and inspected for rubs and sore spots.  

Try this out and keep me posted on your progress!  

Smiles, Denise!