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  Discussion on Chronic loss of appetite
Author Message
New Member:
Cindyt

Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2005 - 12:56 pm:

Hello everyone,
I have a horse that I have had for over 4 years, and in the last couple of months he has had a decreased appetite. He tends to eat his 'dinner' with more gusto than his 'breakfast', but seems to prefer 'lunch'. I have been feeding SS equitech 10 textured, which is 10%protein and 10% fat, twice daily, sometimes, if I am home I will feed lunch. I dont know the pound's, but its about 1 and a half (large) coffee can, the grain is fresh, not moldy, free of varment waste.

--so--My horse seems to simply 'sift' through his concentrates, not that interested in it. But he acts like hes starving when you carry it out to his bucket. after its in his (clean) bucket he is uninterested. I have also tried different shaped buckets, at different heights, and on the ground.
feeding times are quite, no distractions that would deter him from his meal, he is under no work, as I am so busy with college. His pasture buddy will lick the plastic off his bucket for the same grain.
I feed free choice orchard grass, 2nd or 3rd cutting--not moldy, soft and slightly green in color.
I have tried many grains available to me, and he gives me the same result. he is very picky and will not tolorate his grain tainted with anything. I have tried weight builder, corn oil, veg. oil, rice bran oil, rice bran, wheatgerm oil, and nothing works. btw--he wont eat them top dressed in the grain ration, i have to give them orally with a clean worming syringe. he is on a proper worming regime. I have also tried proboitics.
my question is--is there anything that I can do/feed him that can get him to gain weight and eat his grain like a 'normal' horse. I always feel that I have to struggle to keep him with a fat layer over his ribs??

sorry for the long post--thank you for any suggestions
--Cindy T

Member:
Canyon28

Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2005 - 1:10 pm:

Have you had his teeth checked within the last 6 months, that is one of the first things to check when you get a horse that wont eat, especially if he is not eating his hay.He could have large sores in his mouth from points on his teeth.
chris www.canyonrimranch.net
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2005 - 1:17 pm:

Also read Dr. O's article on ulcers and see if anthing applies there.

Good thoughts to you!
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2005 - 2:46 pm:

Cindy, I have a very picky eater who does the same thing runs when he sees me bringing grain but if there is anything at all in it he won't eat even if I use a feed bag. He has to have antacid and bute now but now matter what is in his feed he won't eat it if it's tainted.

I tried oil and all the other things, as i have trouble keeping weight on him and no go. I finally had to resort to injectible meds and thats not a lot of fun when you have a 17 hand 17yr old that suffered alot of abuse and thinks everyones out to kill him. He's got a huge ulcer on his hip we have been trying for months to heal.

Anyways I got sneaky I have a bunch of brown sugar and decided to mix it with powder meds and presto....he eats. I tried it with weight builder, and mixed it with beet pulp with good results to. I know sugar isn't great for them but I only use a table spoon, you do what you have to do to keep weight on. I have also tried drizzling a small amount of carro syrup on grain he isn't that fond of and he likes that too.

I would definitly check the teeth.

Hope you find something that works for you.

Member:
Cindyt

Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2005 - 9:34 pm:

thank you for everyones suggestions!!

His teeth were recently floated, and I have been toying with the idea of a stomach ulcer but not have any test's done to prove one way or another. the vet is due out soon, and i will chat with him on that matter.

Cheryl, thanks for the tips. Red is 16.2 and although not abused, can be a challenge to 'drug' him with an oral syringe. I get the job done, but I hate to have to poke and prod on him. He is not on meds, but if he requires bute, I have to make a bute coctail in the oral syringe and wrestle that in him--of course hoping that he doesnt spit it back out.

If i even try to taint even a handful of grain, he will refuse to eat untainted grain for about 3 feedings after that. He is a little high strung, and can fret away 50 pounds in no time. (only when I take his pasture buddy out)

People have suggested that I try beet pulp, but I have to buy a bag and have him hate it. But the brown sugar/caro syrup sounds great (if he will eat it)

He eats a lot of hay, and seems to not have a prolem with chewing/quidding/or unwillingness to eat it. There is word that an equine dentist is comming to town soon and I will be sure to have him throughly check out his mouth/gums/teeth.

again, thank you all so much
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