ugh, weight loss!
Hey there!
I have a problem that has been driving me crazy.
to set the scene: Dyna has had a hoof abscess and has been on SMZs until recently. Mac started Adaquan for arthritis today but has been on bute on and off for pain. Because both bute and antibiotics are hard on horse tummies I haven't wormed them in a bit and they are past due, so that is happening this week.
Both horses are blanketed with waterproof medium weight blankets.
Mac has been field boarded with a big shed (HATES being stalled and needs to be able to move around for this arthritis), Dyna has been in at night for the last 2 months because of her foot but went out on 24/7 field board again starting Jan. 1.
Neither horse has been in work for at least a month (some freelunging for Dyna but rarely anything heavy), Mac has just been being walked every once in a while.
So here's the problem: both horses are losing weight. Mac has always been the type to lose weight quickly and easily but Dyna has been an SUPER easy keeper until now. We are changing barns in a month to one that feeds grain to field boarded horses but right now they don't get any, Dyna did when she was in a stall though. They DO get tons of good quality hay. I also give beetpulp whenever I am there, unfortunately I can't be there every day though.
When they move they are going to get daily grain but does anyone have any suggestions about what I could do in the meantime for these guys? I know that they need grain and I feel horrible for them not getting it (they were doing great until it got cold!) but they can't get it until we move. I have blankets for under their turnouts in transit and they will be wormed this week but.....ack! Any suggestions?
I have a problem that has been driving me crazy.
to set the scene: Dyna has had a hoof abscess and has been on SMZs until recently. Mac started Adaquan for arthritis today but has been on bute on and off for pain. Because both bute and antibiotics are hard on horse tummies I haven't wormed them in a bit and they are past due, so that is happening this week.
Both horses are blanketed with waterproof medium weight blankets.
Mac has been field boarded with a big shed (HATES being stalled and needs to be able to move around for this arthritis), Dyna has been in at night for the last 2 months because of her foot but went out on 24/7 field board again starting Jan. 1.
Neither horse has been in work for at least a month (some freelunging for Dyna but rarely anything heavy), Mac has just been being walked every once in a while.
So here's the problem: both horses are losing weight. Mac has always been the type to lose weight quickly and easily but Dyna has been an SUPER easy keeper until now. We are changing barns in a month to one that feeds grain to field boarded horses but right now they don't get any, Dyna did when she was in a stall though. They DO get tons of good quality hay. I also give beetpulp whenever I am there, unfortunately I can't be there every day though.
When they move they are going to get daily grain but does anyone have any suggestions about what I could do in the meantime for these guys? I know that they need grain and I feel horrible for them not getting it (they were doing great until it got cold!) but they can't get it until we move. I have blankets for under their turnouts in transit and they will be wormed this week but.....ack! Any suggestions?