Re: Old Horse

["Duncan Fletcher" <dfletche@gte.net>]

The following was taken from a article in the July 1998 Horse Report
published by UC Davis. There is very little research on this subject. UC
Davis did do a study on 22 emaciated horses. It appears that alfalfa is the
best feed for horses in this condition. Their recommendation:
Days 1-3: 1 lb alfalfa every 4 hours.
Days 4-10: Slowly increase the alfalfa and decreae the number of feedings so
that by day 6 you are feeding 13 lbs over 3 feedings.
Day 10 - several months. Unlimited alfalfa fed 2/day. Do NOT feed grain or
other supplements until the horse is well along in its recovery.

More explanation can be found in that report.

Since he is unable to chew, perhaps soaked alfalfa cubes could be
substituted.


Duncan Fletcher
dfletche@gte.net


-----Original Message-----
From: peggy brush <psbrush@hotmail.com>
To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 1998 3:40 PM
Subject: Old Horse


>This past weekend we rescued an older horse (mid 20's) who is about 400
>lbs. under weight.  He is unable to chew hay (no molers).  I have him on
>beet pulp, rolled oats, Equine Senior with I mix with some molasses and
>warm water.  We live in souther Wisconsin so I am tring to put some
>weight on him before it gets to cold.  We do have inside stalls so he
>can get out of the bad weather.  I am hesitant to but him out with our
>other horses since we have 2 'studdy' geldings.  Does anyone have any
>suggestion on feed?  I can do a lot but since we have a lot of other
>animals I do need to watch the budget.  (It seems we end up with a lot
>of critters in need of a home.)
>
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