How to put weight on.....?

Question
Hello,
I have a few questions i bought a female tennisee walker a week or so ago at an auction. she had just had a foal taken away from her and through the hard winter we had anyway she is just sick looking because of that.
So ever since i brought her home ive had her on a sweet feed and oats for her grain. (ive been giving her quite a bit!) and of coarse hay and grass. But i was wondering im I going at this the right way or am i pretty much just giving her junk food? should i add vitamins or anything to her daily diet to get her back to health?

Answer
Hi Sara, I would put your mare on a high fat low protein diet.  Southern States makes a feed that is 10% fat 10% protein that I love for cases such as yours, that particular feed is a sweet feed, it's called Legends Equitech.  I wouldn't care whether it's pellets or sweet feed as long as it's high fat.  I've never loved oats, I've never fed oats so I can't say I have an opinion on that.  I just know what's worked for me and other's.  I would give her up to 6 quarts twice a day.  I would also mix with that 3 quarts of soaked beet pulp per feeding and or 1-2 cups of rice bran per feeding.  The beet pulp is a good source of fiber and the rice bran is another good source of fat.  I would suggest any general vitamin supplement.  Also be sure she is up to date on her de-worming schedule, if your not sure I would go ahead and do a 5 day power panicur pack.  As for hay, be sure she's getting as much as she'll eat as hay is also good for putting weight on and healthier for them than an over load of grain.   Another concern would be since she came from an auction be sure she doesn't have a cold or any other contagious illness that she could have picked up at the action.  If your mare doesn't start picking up weight or is not interested in eating soon I would consult a vet to be on the safe side.  It never hurts to take their temperature if you suspect an illness or even just a cold.  Normal temp. for a horse is 100 degrees to 101 degrees.  Anything over is considered an elevated temp.  Let me know if you need anything else.  Jessica