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[thewenchywiccan]

Hey guys. Long story short, I'm stuck with an unexpected visitor on our farm, arrived today. He's deathly underweight and at the second I can't afford the Weight Gain powder or Dewormer. I know Veg Oil is good to add to his feed, what are some other things (other then sensible feeding and access to Hay) that may help him until I can get the

Comments

[swell]

Do you know the immediate cause of the emaciation? I'd say if it isn't simple malnutrition/it's a stranger's horse, a wandering stray, etc, you need to call the police and a vet, and if you can't afford a vet, get in contact with an animal rescue, preferably a horse rescue, so that you can avoid animal abuse charges yourself (someone might report you, mistakenly thinking you are responsible for the horse's condition), and to determine if the horse is in that state due to a medical condition like hyperthyroidism or cancer.

[athystle]

I have never even heard of a wandering stray. I am wondering where that happens and why. I'm quite sure that is something that does not occur in my area and so I know nothing of it.

[mushyasparagus]

I've always heard that even runaways/strays will return to places that are familiar to them. For instance, in California, during the fires people would release horses so that they wouldn't get caught in barn fires, but the horses would stay in what they knew - the barns, so releasing them was futile. I don't know how true it is, but that's what I've heard.

[athystle]

Absolutely true. I know of animals who were killed in a fire because of just that. The ppl took the horses from the barn and let them loose outside just to have them run right back into the barn and be caught up in the fire. I did't think about the fires in Cal. when I asked where strays come from. That could certainly cause it I guess although as stated they do like to return to what they know. Still curious about the stray thing.

[quietann]

beet pulp is very good, and pretty inexpensive. Just be sure to soak it for at least 6 hours before you give it to him...

and standard advice with very underweight horses is to increase their food gradually.

When Minnie's vet decided she needed to gain weight, he focused on her senior feed (also a great idea for your visitor!). She was getting two scoops at each feeding; he said increase it by one scoop per week until she was gaining weight. BTW she now eats FIVE scoops! And her ribs aren't really showing anymore... It takes her all day to eat he grain/supplements/beet pulp/senior feed because there is so much of it.

[thewenchywiccan]

Thank you! :D

[imonlyindreems]

with my old WB my vet said the corn oil was better to feed then the weight gain powder, i would just stick wih the corn oil and not waste your money on the powder. start adding it slowly and work your way up to a cup or two.

[12to15steps]

A second for corn oil. Rice bran oil is also great, but pricier. I've read studies where corn oil also helps prevent ulcers, which I'm sure your new charge has (as most horses do).

[thewenchywiccan]

Thanks! :D

[companymanners]

Corn oil has more calories than other types of oil, like canola. So this is a case when you'd want to feed corn oil and get those extra calories! (As opposed to if you were feeding oil for an EPSM diet, say.)

[maggies_lens]

i know you know but seriously wormer asap, any nutrition you give him right now will do no good, it will all be going to the worms. if you have it, crushed garlic is extremely good. where has thing guy come from? and ia agree, if he;s a stray best to contact police and let them at the very least know in case someone does report you or there is any other kind of misunderstanding.

[thewenchywiccan]

He's not a stray, sadly. Like I said, looong story, heh. But thank you for the advice, yes, I will get some Dewormer ASAP. :) Thank you!

[xihateyourx]

at least get a cheap tube of iver for 2.99 or something. way cheaper and potentially more effective than oil.

[thewenchywiccan]

Iver. Thank you! :D