tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post5934162123278005982..comments2024-03-01T06:49:59.106-05:00Comments on Behind the Bit: Harv's weightStacey Kimmel-Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-34946587835548019562013-03-20T22:54:53.872-04:002013-03-20T22:54:53.872-04:00Had an uber skinny minny who gained well on a once...Had an uber skinny minny who gained well on a once per day mash of 1 squirt Rations Plus, 1 oz Rice Bran Oil, 3qt. scoop of Alfalfa Cubes, 3 qt. scoop Plain Beet Pulp - put in large pail in a.m. cover with warm h2o, plumped up and ready to feed by noon. Good Luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-39107381344344340872013-03-20T07:51:18.639-04:002013-03-20T07:51:18.639-04:00I'm going to take another picture Monday -- th...I'm going to take another picture Monday -- think you'll see a diff.<br />Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-46507413329644949112013-03-20T07:36:23.972-04:002013-03-20T07:36:23.972-04:00He looks a way better on the second pictureHe looks a way better on the second picturedevoucouxhttp://devoucoux.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-1316739622011055222013-03-20T03:25:53.521-04:002013-03-20T03:25:53.521-04:00He looks great!! He just doesn't have as much ...He looks great!! He just doesn't have as much muscle tone because he is an oldster and isn't in work. My mare always drops a bit when she is changes coats (spring and fall). I would be proud of that fine fella. Adventures of the Super Ponieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00505793706856998385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-37868738928947470802013-03-19T15:02:11.177-04:002013-03-19T15:02:11.177-04:00Of course, my boy ends winter in a dry paddock at ...Of course, my boy ends winter in a dry paddock at a Henneke score of 6.5!!! He gains on air. But, then again, he has Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy and metabolizes food weirdly. I can go out one day and he looks fine. Another, his back end looks gaunt. A couple days later, he looks like the Good Year blimp with legs. And, don't even start me on what happens if he eats a blade of grass ... <SportPoneezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01528116665447013734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-90412879705319242702013-03-19T14:49:33.493-04:002013-03-19T14:49:33.493-04:00I was told the same thing about corn vs canola oil...I was told the same thing about corn vs canola oil and it is true. Canola is a little more expensive, but Sam's Club has a massive vat for a reasonable price. :)SportPoneezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01528116665447013734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-74179364829467079732013-03-19T12:46:18.427-04:002013-03-19T12:46:18.427-04:00I think the angle of the camera in the first photo...I think the angle of the camera in the first photo was just funky. The second photo is more realistic, since it's straight-on. I think he looks pretty dang good for his age! I have a 29yo QH gelding, who has almost no molars. He gets Nutrena LifeDesign Senior and alfalfa pellets. He has free-choice hay that I have to "hand-select" from the bale; he can't chew it properly, so I Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-35457639196449095112013-03-19T05:55:02.453-04:002013-03-19T05:55:02.453-04:00Harv looks awesome for his age. If you were headin...Harv looks awesome for his age. If you were heading into winter it might be worrysome but you're out the other end.<br /><br />Don't forget that old joints shouldn't be carrying around too much weight. I know you wouldn't, but old horses should not be kept hog fat year round. Maybe heading into winter extra weight is ok but to be honest from these photos this is exactly where I Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15121469297442797836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-56578201630448258042013-03-19T00:51:35.864-04:002013-03-19T00:51:35.864-04:00I have a 34 yr. old QH going strong on Purina Seni...I have a 34 yr. old QH going strong on Purina Senior and Healthy Edge mixed 1/2 and 1/2. I dump this on top of enough soaked timothy cubes that he finishes it all within a half hour. I feed this twice a day. He quids his hay but I give him some anyway just to keep him busy. The vet says most his teeth have gone but this diet is keeping him fat and so far sassy! (I sometimes think that his barn Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-29641086107607739402013-03-18T23:50:16.047-04:002013-03-18T23:50:16.047-04:00Oh this post is so cathartic! As we know how much ...Oh this post is so cathartic! As we know how much we like to give other people horse advice! Yes he does look lean but this winter was rough. I found myself blanketing heavier more than I would like but honestly my guy, a TBWB, was happier and kept more weight. I moved Coz to a barn last February where she fed some Empower Boost (2 cups) along with a complete feed grain. This really brought his V. Violahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207894774400070699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-24541033610088225372013-03-18T20:15:44.967-04:002013-03-18T20:15:44.967-04:00I agree with Anonymous and Frizzle, if you need ca...I agree with Anonymous and Frizzle, if you need calories and want to do oil, you really should switch to canola. Corn oil has an Omega 3:6 ratio of 1:87 or 0:59 depending on who you ask! Canola oil is only 1:4. Commercial grains are naturally high in Omega 6s as it is (and low in Omega 3s), so by giving him corn oil, you are further filling his system with Omega 6s. Pasture is the best Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321302683474292239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-88243291074377186472013-03-18T20:03:06.743-04:002013-03-18T20:03:06.743-04:00I think he looks GOOD for an oldster who isn't...I think he looks GOOD for an oldster who isn't working. Like someone else said, lack of muscle tone makes a big difference in appearance. And here's a 4th vote for nixing the corn oil. (We are using Strategy Healthy Edge to supplement my husband's gaunt old cutting horse, because it has higher fat than the Senior feeds, and he won't eat the Amplify supplement, which is the fatty Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01550786937196525098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-60931326641739672772013-03-18T20:00:17.404-04:002013-03-18T20:00:17.404-04:00I'm reading you loud and clear on the corn oil...I'm reading you loud and clear on the corn oil! I'd remembered something about corn oil being "suboptimal" but I didn't recall why, and I'm pretty sure other oils had their problems too. I'm worried about the Ultimate finish because Harv is getting soooo much food already, I'm not sure the added bulk is good for him. I hate asking barns to feed oil, and I Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-91924979736337018132013-03-18T19:00:28.958-04:002013-03-18T19:00:28.958-04:00Third that no corn oil advice - wrong omegas. 3...Third that no corn oil advice - wrong omegas. 3's are good, 6's are bad. Cocosoya oil (we use Uckele's version, available from Valley Vet) does wonders for my guy. :DCalm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-90386943748804577162013-03-18T18:46:25.773-04:002013-03-18T18:46:25.773-04:00Have you ever tested him for Cushings? It's ap...Have you ever tested him for Cushings? It's apparently very common in older horses. Does not always show up with the shaggy coat or other symptoms, but keeping weight on can be a problem. Just a thought. My Toby is on Cushings meds right now. In the summer his coat glowed, but he did founder...one of the other potential symptoms, of course. Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029423500476995817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-38324860094668077122013-03-18T18:13:30.909-04:002013-03-18T18:13:30.909-04:00There is no scientific evidence that corn oil caus...There is no scientific evidence that corn oil causes inflammation in horses. There have been some small studies that suggest that oils from Omega 3 sources *may* provide anti-inflammatory effects but the studies were small and the results that I've seen are not overwhelming. Humans and horses often metabolize nutrients very differently, so it's not a good idea to extrapolate results! MostLiz Goldsmithhttp://www.equineink.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-30229772573962286862013-03-18T16:20:53.579-04:002013-03-18T16:20:53.579-04:00He doesn't look too bad to me, but I live with...He doesn't look too bad to me, but I live with a hardkeeper so my perspective may be skewed. ;)<br /><br />I worked at a farm with a 30 year-old horse who did very well on soaked hay cubes and senior feed. He had basically no teeth, but remained svelte and in good weight throughout his life. I think adding a third meal or including some chopped hay or hay cubes might help Harvey get the Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-737192005339332022013-03-18T16:02:51.018-04:002013-03-18T16:02:51.018-04:00I think he looks pretty decent. IMO you're def...I think he looks pretty decent. IMO you're definitely on the right track with the TC Senior, since it's 10% fat. Maybe he would benefit from some alfalfa pellets and Cocosoya oil. Like the above poster, I would nix the corn oil because of the high omega 6 fatty acids, which can lead to inflammation.Frizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03084225669041286128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-56495672961014430332013-03-18T15:24:05.287-04:002013-03-18T15:24:05.287-04:00With the old, retired guys, especially the TB type...With the old, retired guys, especially the TB types, the lack of muscle tone just makes them look so much more pointy, even if their weight is technically OK. I wouldn't be terribly concerned unless he seems to have dropped a lot within a relatively short amount of time.<br /><br />Most senior feeds are actually pretty low in fat, so the harder keepers need more of it to maintain healthy Now Thats A Trot!https://www.blogger.com/profile/04520915591652905807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-88473170573793573172013-03-18T14:34:18.763-04:002013-03-18T14:34:18.763-04:00For his age, I think he looks wonderful! I've ...For his age, I think he looks wonderful! I've got a 25 year old so I'm familiar with Triple Crown Senior - LOVE that stuff, and I feed a LOT of it too.<br /><br />If he can't eat hay very well, you might try soaked alfalfa or hay pellets, cubes, and/or soaked beet pulp. My oldster gobbles that stuff down no problem, whereas he chews hay pretty slowly. <br /><br />Another thing I'jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-76958737606814122752013-03-18T14:29:11.509-04:002013-03-18T14:29:11.509-04:00I have been giving Hershey Standlee Premium Alfalf...I have been giving Hershey Standlee Premium Alfalfa pellets and Equine Senior. I soak them with warm water to make a "mush". Total weight that I feed him is about seven and a half pounds of pellets (mostly the Standlee) plus I add a little alfalfa hay and some timothy hay for him to munch on. He has lost quite a few teeth and this seems to be helping him gain and keep weight on. I agreeKathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05405534102659638910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-77856340533873413932013-03-18T13:27:19.322-04:002013-03-18T13:27:19.322-04:00Wait till he gets his choppers on some good fresh ...Wait till he gets his choppers on some good fresh grass this spring and he'll be fine. He's fine now, but good grass is the best thing for old horses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-79603512295774815182013-03-18T13:23:20.124-04:002013-03-18T13:23:20.124-04:00Cool Calories helped keep weight on my senior hors...Cool Calories helped keep weight on my senior horse. Good luck. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-36098314407885947352013-03-18T13:17:10.393-04:002013-03-18T13:17:10.393-04:00I think he looks very good for his age. Don't...I think he looks very good for his age. Don't stress it if he is content. Some old TB's really do get kind of gaunt, especially in winter. Humans do too. If the horse is happy, comfortable, shiny coat, good appetite, decent exercise , and teeth maintained as well as possible for his age, then he is in good shape even if he is lean. <br />Amber-Rose is certainly right about camera Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-80756904390655164972013-03-18T12:57:43.654-04:002013-03-18T12:57:43.654-04:00I don't think you should be worried at all. I...I don't think you should be worried at all. I do think you should be as you are - alert and attentive.<br />My horse loses weight every spring and fall - so we have to up his feed for about a month each season, and I'm in AZ where there isn't a huge change in weather!<br />I do think Harv looks worse to you due to lack of muscle. As he ages and isn't worked he'll look "Nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08817230186352688525noreply@blogger.com