ridinglizzard
Chillin' with the herd
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2010
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My 36 year old quarterhorse gelding made it through a very long and cold winter this year (regularly -37C or -35F). For the last couple years I keep thinking it might be his last winter, but he keeps on ticking. But this spring he is very skinny, and I would like some ideas/help to fatten him up again. He winters in our backyard with a blanket and shelter. He has free access to fresh hay each day and water (although he chooses not to drink much). We feed him ~6L of soaked beet pulp four times/day, and about 2L of oats twice a day. We put about 1/2C of oil on each feed of beet pulp. He had his teeth floated last winter, but in truth he has very few back teeth left and his front ones are worn down to the gums because he has a very bad cribbing problem (he spends a lot of energy cribbing when he should probably be eating hay). He is very skinny this spring, although his energy is good. I just bought a bag of Masterfeeds vtm20 because the guy at the feed store suggested it would help put weight on, but now that I am researching it I'm not sure... has anyone had experience with this product? Are there any additional suggestions for help with getting weight back on? I know that getting teeth checked is rule #1, but I know that his teeth are almost non existent and there is not much I can do about that. I know that my old friend can't live forever, but I am trying to keep him healthy for as long as I can.