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  Discussion on Weight Loss in Easy Keeper who Foundered
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New Member:
beckyo

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 - 12:44 am:

My first post, so I'm hoping I'm putting my question in the right spot.
In November I bought back a horse I had sold 4 years ago. He was previously a VERY easy keeper. 16.3 hand Arab/Walker cross. On pasture alone, with just a handful of grain to bring him in everyday and check him over, he had to be worked in order to keep from looking like a pregnant mare. I was told that after I sold him he had a very mild case of founder. When I bought him in November, he was at a pretty good weight, though he had no muscle tone, it is obvious he had not been ridden often. I was told he was getting 2 lbs of Triple Crown Light and 1 Flake of hay a day. I know this isn't much, but if you look up Easy Keeper, you'll see a picture of my horse.
I continued on this feeding routine, but by the end of December, he had begun to lose weight. I gradually increased his feed to 4 lbs per day and 2 flakes of hay. By the end January I became concerned because he was so ribby, and I could see his hip bones. I should mention, he is wormed regularly, and his teeth were floated last August. I spoke with the Southern States Nutrition expert and on her advice switched him to Triple Crown Low Starch. While the horse stopped losing weight, he didn't gain any. At this point everyone had different advice. I have tried increasing the amount of hay he receives, but he will not eat more than two flakes a day (one in morning, one in evening) When I spoke with my vet, he assured me I had made all the right moves, and his only advice was to increase the feed to 6 lbs a day. He said not to worry too much, with spring grass coming in, I would soon be fighting the weight battle in the other direction. At this point he looks slightly better.
Today, when I was grooming him, I discovered Rain Rot on his neck close to his mane. It doesn't seem to be too bad yet. But I noticed several internet sights linked Rain Rot and weight loss together.
So now I am left with several questions.
Because of his previous founder, I am very hesitant to give him any supplements, or change his diet. Is there any sort of supplement I can give him to help his weight? or should I continue to avoid them?
Could the rain rot and the weight loss be linked?
I have had concerns about his lack of muscle mass since I got him back in November, but crazy weather prevented me from riding very often. I have not done much with him other than walking, with a few gaited or trotting strides thrown in. As the weather improved, I had planned to gradually begin more rigorous workouts to build some muscle, but with his weight loss, I'm afraid to ride him or do much ground work with him. Should I wait until his is back up to a good weight to work him?
Thanks so much, any help or advice is greatly appreciated. I was so excited when I got him back. Now I feel rotten. Poor guy.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 - 6:10 am:

Hi Becky, from your profile I see your horse is 17 yo. With his "symptoms" I wonder if he could possibly have cushings? There is a article in here about it, might be worth reading and see what you think.

That being said older horses sometimes tend to loose muscle mass easier. I would bring him back slowly and see how he holds up. Good luck
New Member:
beckyo

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 - 12:17 pm:

Hi Diane, I read the article on Cushings, and I have to say I don't think that's the issue. He only foundered once, mildly about 4 years ago. His winter coat is his standard wooly mammoth look that he had when he was nine. And he defineately is not having a problem with shedding (yesterday I filled half a trash can in 20 minutes) this is pretty normal for him this time of year. There is no excessive thirst or urination.
I am sure the loss of muscle mass is due to know exercise. The reason they were willing to sell him back to us is because he wasn't being ridden. They got a little filly the year before and spent all their time training her and just left Croney in the pasture. The muscle was gone when I got him back. It was hard to see because when I had him before I had begun to show him, regular training and schooling had him in beautiful shape, now he has a hollow back, no neck, and flat rear. With spring warming and the clocks being set forward, I had planned to start regular schooling with him to build back up. I am not afraid to do much until he gains some weight. This is a large horse, about 16.3 hh. When I had him before, in shape his weight is usually about 1350, now he's down to about 1150. He is built like the big plantation style walking horses, usually very big and sturdy.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 - 12:40 pm:

Hello Becky,
Good advice will depend on knowing the nature of the previous founder but if we assume this very mild episode a one time event...

The article on weight loss associated with this discussion explains how we recommend feeding horses that are in a thin condition. If the diet is balanced the only supplement that will help is "calories" and your veterinarian is right, one of the best sources of increased calories is growing grass. The quality of winter grass is a chief reason it is hard to put weight on horses without a high quality hay available.

I would wait until the horse is a condition five before riding him and start off easy until you are sure he is continuing to improve. You should note that not all dewormers and deworming programs are equal, so review the recommendations on deworming especially the parts on how to test your program.

It does seem when horses are in a negative energy balance that they are more prone to many infectious diseases and rain rot is one of the most opportunistic diseases of horses.
DrO
New Member:
beckyo

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 - 7:58 pm:

Thanks DrO, I think part of the problem might have been last summers DrOught. Pasture going into the winter was poor, and almost no one local got a second cutting of hay. When you can find hay, it is at least $10 a bale and not much on quality. I am fortunate that I had friends who stocked me up with their personal supply last month, and while it's not terrible, it's not as nice as I would prefer.
As far as de-worming goes, I understand that not all of the are equal. Recent articles have suggested that worms are also developing an immunity to them. Just to be sure, I had my horse's stool sample checked last month, and it came back clean.
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