Diet

Question
QUESTION: I have a 16.3hh ISH gelding with me on DIY at college. he was previously on loan to the college for others to ride, but they fed him huge amounts of feed and he became really fat. I switched him over to DIY and cut his hard feed down by half the amount and increased his haylage (which he finished quickly). about 3/4 days ago he started to lose his appitite but was still eating his haylage. this morning he had hardly touched his haylage and ate none of his hard feed (equilibrium & fibregest). i noticed that when he does actually eat his hard feed, he spits most of it out and nods his head up and down. im getting his teeth checked today, but wonder what other possibilities could be causing this? his whole general attitude has also changed, he has no enthusiasm at all and would rather stand at the back of his stable all day.
He has lost quite abit of weight (gone down a whole girth size) in just over 1 week. could this affect him?
thankyou

ANSWER: Hi Rachel,

Thank you for your question.  I think you are on the right track with having your horse's teeth checked. The head nodding and reluctance to eat any grain is a good indication that he might have a tooth problem.  I would also suggest you have your vet check his general health.  A sinus infection could cause the symptoms your horse is demonstrating and that could be something your vet can check on.  His despondence and weight loss sounds more like a health issue than just a nutrition issue.  If you had completely change the types of feed he was eating, along with his environment, I would be inclined to think diet could be involved with his weight loss and temperament but given that he hasn't been relocated and that he is eating the same feeds in different amounts, I think he has an underlying medical condition...which I'm afraid I can't help with.

If your vet is unable to find any underlying conditions please let me know.  Include the amounts of feed he is getting (weight), the specifics of your haylage (forage type, moisture content, physical quality) and some detailed information about your horse (workload, body weight) and I can take a more thorough look at your horse's issues.

Thanks, Corlena

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: he had his teeth checked, and they are all fine. the vet said he may have a virus. but this doesnt sound right to me as he isnt coughing, or having any discharge from his nose etc.
he gets around 5kg twice a day, which is good quality. he gets 700g of fibregest and 650g of equilibrium with a handful of mollychaff mixed with water.
his work load has changed from being ridden ligthly 3 times a day, to being ridden in medium work for 1-2 hours, 6 days a week. He was carrying extra weight before switching him to DIY, so im wondering if he's just not eating because he doesnt feel he needs it? or due to a stomache ulcer? his temperature,pulse and respriration are all normal and apart from loss of apetite, he's pretty normal, just not as active or alert as he normally is.

Answer
Hello Rachel,

Thank you for the follow up.  What your vet is suggesting sounds quite feasible.  I've seen virus' like your describing (along with diarrhea symptoms) work its way through large barns and cause the same inappetance and weight loss in a full string of horses. Viruses like these are often short lived with limited viral periods so you can expect this to be short-lived.  

Your horse's work load could also have something to do with the weight loss.  You have taken him from light work to a moderate-heavy workload situation at the same time that he's been put on a diet.  You may want to ensure that his ration is balanced to meet his workload which may require increasing the amount of fibregest that he is consuming.  Manufacturer recommended feeding rates are a good starting point (feed for moderate to heavy work load), although you may want to wait until he is over his virus and gets his appetite back before increasing the amount. You may also want to back off his work schedule until he starts eating regularly again, which will prevent him from losing more weight. At the same time, ensure that he has access to forage free choice all day.  Quality forages are a great source of safe energy and constant access to forage is important for maintaining digestive health and preventing ulcer formation.

Horses will eat to meet their energy requirements, which in this case where your horse is loosing weight you would expect him to eat more.  This is why I would agree with your vet that there is an underlying reason why he doesn't feel like eating. Overall I suggest you give him some down time until his eating routine picks back up.  It would also be worth properly balancing his ration to ensure he is able to maintain his weight and health in his new routine.

Thanks, Corlena