Do you think he's improving?

[dianneS]

Well, I have tried everything with this horse and he's finally showing some real improvement!

He's been seen by vets, bodyworkers, alternative practitioners, he's had acupressure, chiropractics, he's seen the equine dentist. He gets daily stretching, stall exercises and horse yoga, and aromatherapy!

He's been on senior feed for nearly 60 days, and I started adding BOSS and ground flax about 30 days ago. He's getting a vitamin and mineral supplement daily now for the past two weeks. I occasionally give him an herbal calmative in case some of his weight loss is from nervous energy.

His coat is getting shiny and he's less ribby than ever. His hips are getting rounder and that hollow in front of his hip is fuller than I've ever seen it! I'm giving him a fully 90 days on the senior feed before I post more pics. I can see the progress in person, but its still hard to see in photos, but this is real improvement this time! I really think its mainly the senior feed that is making the major difference.

He still will not touch free-choice minerals, and I've tried about five different kinds, so I have to top-dress his feed. I'm planning to start schooling him a few days a week to build muscle and I figure in another 30 days he should look pretty good. I'm really relieved that we seem to be on the right track and I'm glad I've done everything possible under the sun to help this guy along!

 

[TNBarnQueen]

It can be frustrating when you have a horse that you have to continously work on keeping it's weight up. I have a Cremello stud who use to be like that. I started feeding him Triple 10 feed by Southern States. It has 10% fat and after 2 bags I could see a huge difference. So now he is on maintenance of 1 lb a day while on pasture. Good luck...I noticed this post was a few months old...do you have an update on your rescue horse? It takes a wonderful person to take on the care of such a wonderful animal that has seen so much hurt and neglect.

 

[dianneS]

I do have some updated pics of my boy. He has really turned a corner and is making progress by leaps and bounds. He's on Dynamite vitamin and mineral supplements and he's getting Sentinel Senior feed and BOSS.

He's not on a tremendously huge amount of feed, just a maintenance dosage and still gaining weight and muscle. I discovered that high fat diets were not working and actually stressing his liver a bit. He's on higher protein now and a feed with plenty of amino acids. He's just doing great. He's no longer got skin problems and rain rot. His hooves are starting to show improvement too. He's not so thin-skinned and sensitive anymore either. I really think getting him nutritionally balanced and addressing his deficiencies has made a big difference.

He's much more at ease and comfortable these days, no longer nervous. He went from making a huge mess pacing in his stall at night to keeping a nice neat stall with all of his poop on one pile now! BONUS!!! Never thought I'd see that. Now if he can only teach my mare to be such a good housekeeper.

I'm thrilled that the big guy is not turning out to be a super hard keeper as its not costing a fortune to feed him, its just been a tricky balance act nutrition-wise, but it seems like we've found the right formula... Finally!!!

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

Wow! He looks amazing! Good work! I think you have reached your goal! He looks like the perfect weight for a Thoroughbred, now just a little more muscle and he will be perfect!

 

[dianneS]

That's what I was thinking. He's finally up to a good weight and healthy that I can start schooling him regularly and work on building more muscle!

 

[jodief100]

He looks amazing! I am so happy he found someone who gave him so much love.

 

[Baymule]

Hard to believe that is the same horse! I have used nutrional yeast as a supplement and it is great stuff! It builds stronger hooves, shiny healthy hair and is 50% protein. Look at ingredients on hoof products and this yeast is in there.

http://www.bulkfoods.com/whole-foods.asp?wholesale=4742

I haave also used diatomacous earth (sp?) and gotten hard hooves. Diatomacous earth is silica and silica is the building blocks in bone and muscle.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

He looks wonderful!!! You did a fabulous job!!

 

[dianneS]

I'll have to check out nutritional yeast. I do give them all Diatomaceous earth for both the silica and to keep parasites and flies at bay.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Wow he looks amazing!!! Great job!!!