Thin gelding

Question
13 yr old thoroughbred gelding. 16 hands. stall kept, a cribber.

we have a rescued TB... the vet has been out, floated his teeth, did blood work, wormed, looked at our feed  but horse still won't put on wait. Very thin. I'd say could stand 150 more pounds of weight. ribs and hips visable. here is what he eats twice a day...

2 1/2 pounds  Tizwiz brand Structure pellets

1/8 pound 10% sweet feed

1/8 pound dry shredded beets

1/2 pound weight  building suplement

1 pound alfalfa cubes

a pear or apple

light grazing

1 flake grass hay

am I doing something wrong?  he is not working at this time, has access to clean water and minerals...

please help me figure out what I am doing wrong.

thank you!!

Answer
Hi,

He's certainly not getting enough hay.  He should have constant 24/7 access to grass hay and should be fed at least two good sized flakes of alfalfa/clover (whatever is available in your area) hay daily (1 in morn & 1 at night) in addition to the rest of his ration.  

Light exercise would also help.  Can you turn him out into a paddock during the day at least?  

What does his temperament seem like to you?  Does he seem lonely or unhappy?  Maybe he needs more horse to horse contact - turning him out with a buddy may also help.

He also needs constant access to clear cool water 24/7.

Weight gain takes time.  It won't and shouldn't happen overnight. I've had some rescue cases take 12mths before they're really looking good.

Cheers