Hello Vincent,
Thank you for writing.
I agree that the amount of weight your gelding has lost is troublesome. Losing nearly 5% of his body weight in such a short period of time is definitely cause for concern.
Before manipulating his diet, I would rule out any medical problem. I expect he is already receiving the finest medical care. However, if it has been a few months since his recent checkup, I would inquire about the possibility of worm infestation. Fecal checks are not always accurate, so a blood test, especially to check for tapeworm larvae, would be something I'd recommend.
I would also have his teeth checked to see if there is anything interfering with his feeding. Some horses require their teeth floated as much as every 6 months. Or there may be a gum problem that is causing discomfort.
If he is in good health, examining his diet is the next step. Certainly, if he is not eating enough food, and is highly physically active, he is going to lose weight. So, since your goal is to continue racing him, we have to find a way to help him consume more calorie-dense food. To do this, a high fat supplement is a good idea. I prefer the use of flaxseed meal. It is quite palatable, contains high quality protein, and mostly Omega 3 fatty acids, which promote healing of inflammed tissues (incurred during intense activity). I do not recommend the use of soybean or corn oil additives because the Omega 6 fatty acids that they contain actually do the opposite - they promote inflammation.
Flaxseed oil and even canola oil, are also good choices.
Since I do not know what else you are feeding, I cannot tell you how many calories he is consuming. If you'd like to do the math, you want him to have approximately 33 Mcal per day while he's racing. To help you put this into perspective, a kg of oats has 2.85 Mcal; a kg of corn grain has 3.38 Mcal; a kg of Brome hay has between 1.5 to 1.9 Mcal depending on how fresh it is. The more mature it is, the less water it has, and therefore, has more Mcals. Legume hay, such as alfalfa, has approximately 2.0 Mcal/kg.
Regarding the flaxseed meal, you can start by adding .5 pounds (approximately 220 grams) each day and build up to 900 grams a day. Watch for any loose stools.
Another energy rich food is Beet Pulp ( I recommend soaking it - do not feed dry). However, he may not be inclined to eat this, since you say he doesn't finish his feed. Adding molasses will make it more tasty.
I hope this is helpful. I would like to post your question on my website's forum, if you'd be agreeable, so that others can benefit.
Please keep me informed as to his progress.
All the best,
Dr. Getty


Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.
Equine Nutritionist
Getty Equine Nutrition
http://gettyequinenutrition.com
juliet_getty@hotmail.com
817-439-0214