Just purchased my first OTTB. Working with my trainer on him. He is 17.1, 3 years old, SKINNY and mousy. Just raced earlier this week, but passed his PPE with flying colors except that the vet said he was skinny. He is extremely laid back and really sweet - you can just tell. He is inhaling anything and everything you give him to eat, which is fabulous. Any recommendations on things that worked super well for you to get one looking and feeling great? Anything that oddly worked well for you? Any âStandard Operating Proceduresâ? Even though my Trainer has re-started many OTTBs I am always looking for new ideas for the ponies. TIA!
All the hay he can eat, and grass once he is acclimated to it. Congrats, and you are not allowed to post about getting a new horse unless you include pics!
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I ALWAYS treat for ulcers when taking a horse of the track. I also deworm for tapes and encystedsâeither with Quest Plus or Equimax + a Power Pak. If heâs skinny, the latter is probably the way to go.
Then itâs as much hay as they want, with alfalfa (as tolerated, some do get looney, but thatâs pretty rare) and a low NSC grain. Oil for additional calories. Lots of turnout and lots of walking, if theyâre being ridden.
These big geldings are like tall teenage boys and it seems like it can take forever to get them filled outâYEARS! Donât despair 
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Congratulations!
First, realize that it may take a couple years to get him totally âfixedâ. Heâs spent a lot of time training and trying to grow, and now he can focus on growing. He looks in pretty good shape - thin yes but not omg thin.
What brands of feed do you have access to?
Make simple changes - donât throw the book at him. You want to see whatâs doing what.
Get his teeth looked at asap - the young guys often come OT with teeth that are, umm, in need of work LOL
Unless you know for a fact he was recently dewormed with Equimax or Quest Plus, I would do that now. He looks a little thin for Quest, so Iâd opt for Equimax to start. Getting a FEC first just so you have a first baseline is a good idea, but not imperative. I WOULD do it though, so you start tracking his shedding status.
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I would make sure you have a very good farrier. Preferably one with experience improving the typical TB feet.
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Thank you, everyone! Good to see everything we had planned to do is what you have recommended. I certainly do not doubt my trainer in any way, shape or form, but as a newbie, itâs nice to see/read others opinions on this. Just ups my comfort level on something I am not so familiar with. Also, I personally hate to inundate her with all the questions I have going through my head (a ridiculous amount). :winkgrin:
My other pony did not mature physically until 7 and mentally until about 10, so I do realize it takes time. I am looking forward to watching him mature and become all he can be! With fingers crossed since he is a horse, thoughâŠ
Yes HAY HAY HAY water water water too so he may need salt in his food or an electrolyte, he flushing a lot out of his system and processing a lot of food. Blue Seal Sentinel LS or any other Sentinel formula (LS LT SR) has worked well for all my TBsâŠjust google blue seal or actually kent nutrition and you will find a toll free number to reach a great rep/equine nutritionist that can really help you. If your trainer prefers another brand simply try looking them up as most major feed companies have nutritionists happy to help you. Treat for ulcers if ypu can afford it and add a little alfalfa pellets in to help reduce acidity in the hind gut. Euckele GUT is a great digestive supplement and smartpaks circulate (pricey) and regular hoof supplement(dont waste money on the double they can only absorb so much per my farrier and experience) the circulate would help growth and just like a jump start to get some heel. Yes your farrier is like the most important person on this planet for you guys. If you can get him working in long lines or a Pessoan rig, just nice slow stuffâŠDO IT. Another thing to do if you can afford it is get his back xrayedâŠKissing Spines suxxxx but better to know now when you have a better chance of âtherapeutic excerciseâ helping as he grows. And you are in for quite a show as you watch him grow up and out!! Nice big boy, best of luck!!
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Congrats on your new pony! All of the above suggestions are great. Bodywork can be another good thing - massage and chiro are very helpful when done correctly. If you have the means, it might be worth a shot.
All of the above is fabulous advice. In my experience, beet pulp does a great job expanding barrels on narrow OTTBs, and every OTTB Iâve worked with has gained and maintained effortlessly on Cocoasoya. Heâll be stunning once he grows into himself!
I agree with all of the above suggestions, but I ESPECIALLY echo treating or checking for ulcers and not throwing too many huge changes at him too soon. Lots of taking it slow in terms of training. Lots of walking, and ground work. Just listening to my horse and learning his little ways of communicating to me has really helped in our journey together.
Both my horse and my barn ownerâs OTTB have done well on Buckeye EQ8 if you can get it, plus soaked alfalfa cubes a couple of times a day if not regular alfalfa hay. Also have seen lovely results from weekly slow work with the Pessoa rig - it has really helped them learn to effectively use their hind end and build their top lines. Oh, and making sure your saddle fits properly. Iâm dealing with the negative effects of ill-fitting tack right now, and I wish Iâd had a fitter out much sooner to avoid some of this.
He looks adorable! Enjoy him.
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I agree with posts hay hay hay. More hay. More hay. Nibble nets are great. He will keep busy pulling hay out. Lots of quite simple ground work. And. Of course. Hay
Hay hay and more hay. Tremendous amounts of high quality second cutting grass 24/7. I donât agree with the slow feeder nets if they need weight⊠You want him consuming as much as possible and that also means stable management in a way that keeps him happily munching and not pacing fencelines, getting chased off it or stall walking. Beet pulp stats per pound look promising but once soaked the calories per volume isnât worth the effort. You want high calorie density feed⊠Triple Crown Senior up to maximum label directions (12lbs/day I think but need to double check)
Adding 1-2lbs of Triple Crown 30% is my not so secret weapon. The boost in protein and amino acids pumps up the topline, added magnesium keeps them sane, biotin for feet plus added calories. It packs a big punch for $1 per day.
Added oil if necessary.
All of the above, plus take a good look at his feet. Often they come off the track with some wonky looking hooves which are not appropriate for their new lives. Making sure he has a good trim and is shod appropriately (if/as he needs) will help him feel comfortable and make it easier to put on weight.
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Or their old lives 
Making sure he has a good trim and is shod appropriately (if/as he needs) will help him feel comfortable and make it easier to put on weight.
:yes: :yes:
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Ugh. Too true
