Do you think he's improving?

[catjac1975]

eat-He really did not look all that bad when you got him-at least weight wise. His coat looks better. A horse can gain 50 lbs. in a snap. Great job!

I know its early, but I'm wondering if anyone can see any improvement in my rescue horse? He's got a long way to go. He had some skin issues hidden by his winter coat. He still has bites and cuts that are healing. His winter coat is shedding out in a strange way, but his summer coat is coming in and its dark red! So does he look different? He has lost a lot of shaggy winter coat already too.

His first day here (about two months ago).
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/888_horses_091.jpg


Today:
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/888_horses_166.jpg

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/888_horses_164.jpg

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/888_horses_153.jpg

 

[dianneS]

I know that the big guy really needs muscle more so than weight these days. I've added a 32% protein ration balancer that I top dress his feed with.

I had a recent discovery with him. He's terribly difficult to properly fit a saddle to and he'll need his own custom saddle some day. I want to wait until he muscles up more first. However, its obvious that he's been a victim of very poor saddle fit in the past. He's got major white hairs on his withers, plus he has a hunter's bump and you can plainly see the space between his last lumbar vertebrae and his sacrum . The deep dished out area behind his wither is most likely from a poor fitting saddle as well as the atrophied muscles along his spine.

I'm glad I have this extra piece of the puzzle now in order to get him into condition! Making sure that he's comfortable under saddle and has full freedom of motion will certainly help a great deal when getting him back in shape. Plus lots of equine massage will help too. I just hope its not too late and some of the damage he's suffered can be reversed?

 

[catjac1975]

My vet said they put on the most weight from hay.

That's good to know about the hair shedding. This guy is shedding in places with no new hair to replace it as well. Its coming in, but slowly. This guy is 16 and will probably always look a bit on the thin side since he is a TB and a lighter boned, more refined horse too.

I think I am going to incorporate some senior pellets into his diet and some coat and hoof supplements, maybe weight builder too. He really needs muscle now. The farrier comes next week. His hooves are in good shape but a bit on the dry and cracked side but nothing serious. I've been putting him and my other TB mare in my goat pasture during the day lately. The grass is better up there and lots of clover that the goats don't eat. The horses beg to be put in that pasture!

 

[dianneS]

Here is a more recent pic of him. I know I'm just being impatient. I also wish that stinking winter coat would finish shedding out! I'm sure he'll look a lot different with his sleek summer coat. He's had the weirdest shed-out and skin issues. If it isn't the cuts and scrapes and scabs he came with, its big patches of hair shedding out along with flaking, scaley skin leaving nearly bald patches before the new hair grows in! Its so strange and his skin is so sensitive too. I can't wait until this shedding process is over and his skin is healthy again.

I put him on a high protein ration balancer a few weeks ago too.

 

[GLENMAR]

Feed him lots of good hay.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I know you originally said you're feeding him a low protein, high fat feed, and now you're doing a protein top dress. What percent protein does that come out to be for his feed? I'd also consider adding in corn oil to his diet. It's good at putting on weight and also will be great for his skin issues. What kind of hay is he getting? Has it had an analysis done on it? His coat looks better, but he's still thin. I hate saying that, because I know you're working so hard on him, but I think he should be gaining a little more by now. :/ You said you're deworming him more frequently too, but have you had a fecal done to see what kind of parasites he still may have?

 

[that's*satyrical]

He is looking a lot better now. His ribs are not nearly as prominent. Yeah get that farnham weight builder as a top dress if you can. It smells soooo good. Love that stuff. Has lots of those good fats that will make him look more conditioned. They also have a guarantee if your horse doesn't gain weight/condition they refund your money.

 

[that's*satyrical]

Looking back at the older pictures you can see a really big difference in his hind quarters. That's the first place they lose & gain condition.

 

[dianneS]

I guess another reason I'm so worried is because he was with a very reputable rescue for at least six months, being schooled by a trainer 3 days/week. He was fed 5 lbs of a 12% sweet feed 2x's a day, wormed, vaccinated, teeth checked and vetted reglularly. They weren't able to put any more weight on him either, in all that time? I know the 12% feed might not be enough, but its not like he came to me totally neglected? They told me he "probably won't gain much weight, but he needs to put on muscle". Hmmm, I wonder why they don't think he's capable of gaining more?

I'm fearing that I may have a perpetually thin looking horse on my hands or perhaps a really hard keeper?

 

[that's*satyrical]

I guess another reason I'm so worried is because he was with a very reputable rescue for at least six months, being schooled by a trainer 3 days/week. He was fed 5 lbs of a 12% sweet feed 2x's a day, wormed, vaccinated, teeth checked and vetted reglularly. They weren't able to put any more weight on him either, in all that time? I know the 12% feed might not be enough, but its not like he came to me totally neglected? They told me he "probably won't gain much weight, but he needs to put on muscle". Hmmm, I wonder why they don't think he's capable of gaining more?

I'm fearing that I may have a perpetually thin looking horse on my hands or perhaps a really hard keeper?

It's possible especially if you've got him worked up to full time grazing. That would put weight on any horse.