We have a 30-yr old horse w/cushings who has a hard time keeping weight. What could help keep weight on him?

We give this horse two full large scoops of sr. horse feed twice a day. He has free access to hay all day. We does drop feed when eating, and we've tried to have his teeth floated, but the vet said there wasn't enough to float. He does snuffle up the food he drops, so he does actually eat all that he's given. We know his age and the cushings is working against him, but we were hoping there may be something we could do to help him gain some weight. We do not ride him; he is a pasture buddy. We've read about beet pulp, but we've not been able to locate a place that sells it. We've also read about Triple Crown feed; but again, we've not found a place to order it from. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

We have a 30-yr old horse w/cushings who has a hard time keeping weight. What could help keep weight on him?
I had a Cushings horse that had trouble keeping weight on. I used Farnam's Weight Builder supplement to help. There are now also some supplements on the market for Cushings horses. Try Smart Pak. http://www.smartpakequine.com/ They have experts to help you find the right supplements for your situation and can ship them to you in ready packs for easy feeding. Or you can buy in bulk if you prefer.





You've already got him on senior feed and free choice hay so that's good. The only other thing I would suggest is maybe trying to feed him more times per day. I know that may be inconvenient, but I think two scoops of grain is a lot for a horse to try and eat at one time. More smaller meals would be easier on his system if you can do it. There are some feed dispensers available that you can set up and program when and how much to dispense.
Reply:You could also talk to your feed store about ordering some. Have you tried buying a weight gainer. Or adding corn oil to his feed? Black oil sunflower seeds help as well.
Reply:I'm pretty sure there are suppliments out there to encourage weight gain. Try places like TSC or Buckely and Bro's for feed, suppliments, and I would expect that one (if not both) has beet pulp.
Reply:my sister had a horse over 30 also when we got him he sand coliced the vet had to come out and told us he would not live he has seen horses 2 years old not survive this but the little angel did live


she feed him alpha cubes soaked in water three times a day and she gave him equine Senior grain also three times a day he gained weight and looked amazing


i hope this helped and good luck with your guy
Reply:You could give him "Weight Builder" or "Weight Gain" I have used both of these in the past for my 9 year old mare and they work really well. You can geet them on line of at your local feed store. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:I would make sure I used senior feed pellets, maybe moisten them with water so he can slurp them up. Also weight gain additive is excellent. I would also check that he has high protein hay, such as alfalfa with no stems, as that would prick his gums and that wouldn't be good. At 30 he should have no teeth to float--at least not the grinders. I have a 30 yr. old and is doing great on senior feed, alfalfa, and probiotics...Fast track is the best so they get alot of nutrients from what they eat. If he has Cushings, I am told to eliminate starch?carbs. Mine is getting Cushings, but I am staying with what he is getting now.
Reply:Stabilized rice bran pellets is high in fat content, and goes very well with beet pulp. Those two are your best bet.





Weight gain supplements may be of use in this case... he'd likely enjoy Cool Calories, as many do because of its sugary taste!
Reply:I had this horse a few years back named Midnight,


and he was really old and had cushings.


She would put weight builder in his food,


some wheatgerm oil on it. then it was softer.


%26amp;senior feed.


I have also heard that if you feed a horse dogfood,


they gain weight.


But i have not tried that since it is so oily %26amp; made our one Mini so sick one time.


But that is all i know, i hope i helped some(:


GoodLuck.
Reply:if you want give him really fattening foods and make sure he doesn't get enough exercise that would take off the fat but enough so that he does get exercise.
Reply:Weetbix is meant to be good for weight gain!!





good luck