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  Discussion on Skinny, but cresty, pony- best way to put on pounds?
Author Message
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 2:56 pm:

Hi- I recently acquired a wonderful mixed breed pony, 12.5 hands, well built, big chest,super quiet, but you can see the poor creature's ribs,hips and tail bone! Only, his neck is noticeably cresty, even with his ribs showing. He has great feet, and my farrier doesn't believe the pony ever had a founder problem. Two feedings a day of 10% pellet and free choice timothy isn't doing it- I don't see any weight gain for the last month. So I was thinking about adding beet pulp 3x a day in smaller amounts at first as I've been reading other posts. Oh, the reason I am not adding oil and "Hard Keeper" (worked wonders on my paint) is because I'd like to keep the pony quiet as he is a child's mount- my horse gained weight and looks great but he's a lot more exciteable. Has anyone had good results putting weight on a pony with a tendency towards crestiness (I know, skinniness and crestiness seem mutually exclusive...) using beet pulp? Of course, I am aware that the pony may act differently if he gains weight eating anything. But I was hoping to preserve his gentle nature. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
-Beth G
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 4:06 pm:

How old is the pony, Beth? Have you read any of the articles on Equine metabolic synDrOme and Cushings? Being cresty but ribby makes me wonder about his having Cushings. Sounds like the little guy is lucky to have changed homes, since you notice his condition and want to help him improve.
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 3:21 pm:

Sara,
Yeah, well, I always have to go improving on things- my husband said the pony might just be built that way and maybe I just shouldn't worry. But to me, ribs just should not all show like that, especially on a big shouldered animal. That's an important point I ommitted- the pony is around 13 years old. Maybe the crestiness is just a result of his breeding (maybe there was an icelandic in there somewhere...) His rump is nice and muscular, if a bit thin, and very well defined, like a little quarter horse. He is pretty rock-solid. There are no fatty deposits anywhere, except the weird shaped neck, so .... Cushings was definitely on my mind....but I don't want to starve the little guy, who obviously could stand to gain a little weight. This Florida grass I don't think will put much weight on him.
-Beth G
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 4:05 pm:

Beth, You might try Beet Pulp, and/or Rice Bran for added weight, or adding a little corn oil to what he gets now. If you do the BP try for shreds and soak, soak, rinse molasses off just incase he's IR/Cushigs.
Shirl
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 5:48 pm:

One problem is your diet is probably protein deficient Beth and the beet pulp will not greatly help the situation, can you tell me how much grain you are giving a day by weight (a kitchen scale may be necessary).
DrO
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 11:43 am:

Thanks Dr. O,
The previous owner said not to give him "more than a cup" of grain as he was used to mainly a grass/ hay diet. So, I'm embarassed to say I just give him about 1 cup of 10% pellets and 1/2 cup of rice bran each feeding, plus sand clear, wormer, and salts. I have not weighed the pellets but I can do that if necessary . He is around 500 or 550 lbs (guessing).He could definitely use more protein, but I was wary as the seller told me he'd colic if I gave him too much grain. But when he came on the truck (a two day ride) he had probably sweated off some pounds, as the poor little guy was braced against the back of the van for dear life.
Maybe I should get him a better quality feed-I feed my trail horse that cardboard stuff (10% pellet) made by purina (country acres)- really cheap. The expensive stuff got him very hot (same amount- go figure) Maybe up the protein percentage?? The grass where he was from in Texas was maybe richer than here in Florida. In any case, I think I will ask the vet out to specifically evaluate the pony's nutritional needs. -Beth
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 8:33 am:

I have no problem with the low end of Purina's line if they make it in a 16% protein. But with the concentrate being such a small percentage of the total diet I am not sure that alone will make the difference. How good is the timothy hay?
DrO
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 1:36 pm:

Dr. O,
Although I have never had it tested, the hay I feed is some pretty good looking timothy, lots of seed heads, fairly green, and always mold-free (and never any alfalfa which makes my horse too hot). I will drive 50 miles for good hay! My trail horse is fat and sassy on it and the same feed I give the pony, plus some rice bran.
Dr.- don't you think that the 16% will get the pony sort of hot? I know my horse would react that way. Or, is it really the only way to get him to put on weight the right (balanced)way? -Beth G
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 9:45 am:

The seed heads are a sign of maturity and therefore a lower protein content from what is normally a protein challenged forage (for the numbers see the article on forages).

Most horses when they receive extra calories get hotter whether the source is carbohydrate or protein but this change varies widely from horse to horse. Fats tend to cause less emotional heat but is empty of other important nutrients. If you want this pony to have better condition I would recommend that you switch to a 16% protein concentrate (to try and bring the total protein in the diet up close to 10%) and increase his feed until the condition gets to where you want it. You may notice very little difference in attitude or decide you like him best on the thin side. This is covered in more detail in the article associated with this forum, Overview of Chronic Weight Loss.
DrO
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 1:23 pm:

Dr. O-
I am going to try a better feed, and the question now is how much to feed. I hope I don't create a little demon pony...no wonder he was so good, protein starved as he is, sort of like a zombie. I'm going to take 2 weeks to shift over to the 16% protein feed.
What about giving him some better forage? Would feeding a good alfalfa hay make any difference?
When I see a really bony top line and rump I immediately think, cushings disease. Maybe the old owners kept him really thin to deal with it. Or, it could be that he just DrOpped weight on the van from Texas to Florida and he is just plain thin. My fear is I don't want to overload an IR pony if that's what he is. Would you go so far as to have his- is it cortisol?? levels checked now based upon how he looks? Thanks- I'm off to read the articles on forage and weight loss. }-Beth G
Member:
Debbdel

Posted on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 7:44 pm:

Hi Beth,
We have a 12.1 pony that has been training in dressage for the past 3 years. He is a Welsh cross with a cresty neck...Our vet, wanted to see him with a little more weight over his topline and suggested Purina Ultium. She had much success using it on other ponies who are in hard work. She described it as specially formulated to put the weight on where it is needed. Of course I was a little skeptical at first but I did switch to Ultium. Within 3 months time he gained the weight where he needed it (not in his belly) and he looks great! He gets 2 cups 2X day when he is training (4-5 days a week)..You can see pictures of him at www.hoofprints.ws
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 9:33 pm:

Sure, it you want to approach it that way you could feed him a bit of alfalfa and continue with the 10% concentrate. This is discussed in the Care for Horses » Nutrition » Equine Nutrition an Overview of Feeding Horses. Look under the protein subtopic.
DrO
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Monday, May 9, 2005 - 9:12 am:

Deborah- wow, what a great looking little pony! Of course, our pony isn't really in even light work (just trail rides every now and then.) But I might try that Purina Ultium. That is exactly what the pony needs- weight along the top line, not the belly or neck areas. Any more weight along the neck would be a disaster.
Dr. O,
I had the vet out Saturday to see the pony, and she said that he definitely needs weight along the top line and suggested increasing his pellets (quantity). He dives into them- no appetite problem. She didn't think the pony had Cushings, just a big neck. I am going to gradually switch to a higher protein feed and see where we get. I am very intrigued by Deborah's testimonial re: Purina Ultium and am going to look for some today. Thanks for the imput. Feeding for weight gain yet avoiding changes in disposition - especially in a child's pony- is always such a balancing act! I always end up wondering if I'm doing the right thing. -Beth G
Member:
Cara2

Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 12:02 pm:

Hi Beth,

I used to know a welsh pony that had a neck like you describe - the answer was simply that he had been deliberately gelded rather late and the neck development was retained from his stallion days.
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