Trying to get my barrel racer s weight up

Question
Hi there,  I purchased a barrel racing horse 2 months ago and have been noticing ever since I have had him he appears gaunt in the back. I don't know if I am saying it right but I mean to say he looks "sucked in". He is 18, 153 appendix. Unsure about teeth and worming. I assumed it was from poor nutrition and maybe lack of water. He is also under weight. He is better now, but I can still see his ribs and he still looks sucked in. I feed him unlimited 2ed cut hay. Also in AM he gets 4 quarts mixture vintage performance, forage extender pellets, Poulin Senior.  This same mixture at night but with beet pulp. It seems like a lot and actually feels like a lot too. I just bought cool calories in a powder for to try.  Am I feeding too much variety and way is he still appearing gaunt? He is only in work 1-2 days a week now and I think prior was riden all summer in barrel runs. I live in NH so its still winter here. Thanks for any help! Varina

Answer
Dear Varina,

Sorry for the delayed response.  I don't think you are feeding too much variety horses in the wild would get a lot more variety than most domesticated horses ever see.  I do think you need to have his teeth checked and make sure his worming is up-to-date.  I don't know what the weight of the feed you are feeding is but 4 quarts isn't necessarily that much.  It depends on the weight.  Neither do i know the analysis or ingredients of the products you are feeding.  If he was mine I would increase the beet pulp as that is great at putting on weight and you can feed lots of it safely.  Some people have luck with Cool Calories others have good luck with Fat Cat.  It would be easier for me if I could see a picture of him.  That way I would have a better idea of where exactly he is missing weight.  Could it be that he has lost muscle given he is not working as hard now?  

I would be happy to help you further if you can get me his body weight, the weight of each item you are feeding and a picture taken from the side if possible.

Best regards,

Clair Thunes, PhD.
Independent Equine Nutritionist,
Equilibrate Equine Consulting,
www.equilibrateequine.com
clair@equilibrateequine.com