Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
Welcome to my forum.
Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.
Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.
And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
I am so glad I found this site! I am writing to ask your help on how to put weight back on a 20 something Paint horse who has been bullied by his pasture mates over the winter. We had him by himself all summer and he put on some good weight and went in to the winter (and back to the barn with the stablemates) in good health. We had to move him back in to the indoor stall by himself this past weekend as they have gotten increasingly nasty and steal his food and run him out of the hay. He's my favorite, and I am afraid we're running out of time with him. We currently offer him hay whenever he wants it, and Triple crown senior twice daily with the occasional fresh carrots etc. as our 'happy to see you' treats. We also added in the weight gainer powder last summer which seemed to help him quite a bit. What, if anything, should I try differently to help my 'baby' through until the grass is greener and he can come back to the summer pasture, where he doesn't have to fight for his food? He's very upset at being locked in the stall all day, but he's not strong enough to fight them off for his food. I'm so upset!!! 
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Where are you from? Pennsylvania
How did you locate this forum? Search on the net
Hi Kimberly,
This sounds more like a management issue than a nutrition one, since he was doing well while being able to eat adequately. So, anything you can do to keep the other horses away from him during feeding time would be ideal.
Since he does tend lose weight easily, however, I would keep his B vitamin intake up as much as possible. B vitamins are very helpful during stressful times and this will help his stress response as well as his weight management. Consider giving him B Plex -- 2 ounces per day.
Please keep me posted.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 