Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hello Aimee,
First let me commend you on taking this poor horse into your loving care. He is very lucky to have you.
Unlimited grass hay is of the most importance and you are already doing this. You'll also want to fill in the gaps with a good supplement. Because of his age, he will definitely benefit from a flaxseed meal-based supplement that also supports his feet, digestive tract, and immune function. So, if your budget will allow it, the best supplement for him is Glanzen Complete. Give him 6 ounces (by weight) per day (3 scoops).
In addition, I recommend Ration Plus to help boost the health of the bacterial flora. This will also help him gain weight.
Give him a nutritious meal that provide calories without risking peaks and valleys in his insulin levels. Beet Pulp is an excellent choice, along with alfalfa pellets. Add warm water to soften these and add the supplements to the meal.
Pasture at his weight is not a problem and he can benefit from the beta carotene and vitamin C that does not exist in hay. So, I would suggest letting him graze as much as he wants. "Rich" pasture that is high in sugar is not a concern for an underweight horse unless he has cushings. Just make sure that there is water near by. And, a plain, white salt lick is also necessary for additional sodium in his diet.
I hope this is helpful. If you find that you need to visit one-on-one to customize a feeding plan for him, I'd be glad to assist you with this.
Keep me posted!
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO