From: rmvale@watnow.uwaterloo.ca (Ruth Vale)
Subject: Re: A Hard Keeper
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 05:54:30 GMT

In article <1992Dec11.112845.19068@news.yale.edu> KAUFMAN@biomed.med.yale.edu (Elizabeth Kaufman) writes:
>
>
>Greetings.  I am looking for suggestions for a low protein feed for a hard
>keeper. Here are the details:
>...[description deleted]
>of them have been very successful. Huge buckets of grain are out, as he goes
>completely wingnut on a high protein diet. Currently, I am feeding him beet
>pulp with 2 handfuls of a Charger/Trotter (sweet feed/pellet) mix (otherwise he
>goes on strike) twice a day. He gets as much good hay as he will eat, and has
>plenty of water, and so on. Does anyone have any ideas for putting weight on
>this horse? He needs at least 50 lbs. Thanks.
>
>- Elizabeth Kaufman

I think we've been round a few times on this topic (anybody keep an FAQ?).
Basically, you'll get a variety of specific recommendations, but they all
boil down to some sort of complete feed (Martin's extruded is available
in our area - S. Ontario) rather than a mix to ensure that the horse is
properly using the food it is getting.  

Second, a digestive supplement may help -
- Ration-Plus has helped make a marked difference in temperment
and manageability for my mare - you'll get an endless variety of suggestions,
just look at the information and make up your own mind.  Take into account
the likes and dislikes of the horse - my mare *hates* beet pulp but will
eat bran like somebody is going to take it away from her.  

Finally, make
*sure* that there aren't teeth problems - watch for patterns - does he
leave his feed some times and other times eats it up?  Is there a difference
immediately after the vet floats his teeth?  I've just had this confirmed
with mine - not only is she a hard-keeper - the cause is a very sensitive
mouth, a longish tooth with no opposing molar and the tendency to grow
tooth quickly - the solution for us is to have the vet out every three
months and eventually she'll have that tooth clipped at the clinic.  She
eats like crazy for up to 2 months and as soon as she starts leaving stuff
I call the vet for another floating.  

It takes a while if the neglect is long-term.   The vet finally admitted her
satisfaction with her weight last week.  Spring is 15.3, leggy STB/TB
cross and weighs in at an estimated 1050 lbs. - she started at >900lbs.
three years ago.

My mare is/was about as hot as they come - got high as a kite on grain or
mixed feeds.  On Martin's extruded, with bran plus the Ration-Plus
supplement, she's gained substantial weight *and* calmed down (this
includes regular, calm handling).  Note that meant food - and a *lot*
of it especially when being worked.  She is currently being fed the
same has her aged 27yr. companion (mine is 9 yrs. old) and standing in a box
22 hrs. a day because of a bowed tendon - and staying calm.  Her
feed will double when she's put back in work.  When healthy, maximum turnout 
has been absolutely essential to keep her manageable.  She requires
regular attention and an active schedule - and an owner who doesn't
panic when she doesn't finish her breakfast :-).   Mine will stop
eating if her mouth (or anything else) hurts, if she hasn't been getting
what she considers to be her fair share of attention, if she hasn't
been turned out enough to suit her, etc. etc. etc.  Any of these 
might help keep your horse content enough to consider finishing his meals.

Ruth

-- 
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=========================== rmvale@watnow.uwaterloo.ca ======================