OP: I think that’s an improvement for sure but I would try to add more long stem forage during the day and hang 2 nets in the stall at night. Some nights (when stalled) my horses have some left over and sometimes they don’t. I prefer they have more than not enough. Standing in a box stall without anything to eat or do = boredom and “behavior problems.” Can a slow feed net be hung in the paddock/pasture too? I understand in a boarding situation it can be a little more difficult to “individualize” things as well as make horse living conditions more horse friendly (strange concept huh?). But with his recent history it’s certainly important. More movement throughout the day/night wouldn’t hurt him either, gut motility. Can he stay out at night with shelter? I may be pushing it here as I know the standard boarding barn is stall board. Most important: Water and hay, water and hay! + salt.
The only reason we are going to cubes from hay is because that is what the vets have him on for most of his meals and it seems to be agreeing with him. Outdoor board is certainly an option and would be cheaper for me also but it would be a big change for a horse that has been on the same routine for 8 years. The one horse we have who my guy knows that is on cubes can not have hay due to respiratory problems so that is why we would not be able to hang hay for him during the day. Luckily, unlike many barns here in canada he is out for a minimum of 10 hours a day and on large pastures which is good for motility. He will be getting 2 buckets in his stall instead of the previous 1.
Yeah, that could work well without the barn having to alter their routine dramatically.
Couple of random thoughts. First he’s a big still younger horse and 1.5 buckets is probably, like, 8 US gallons unless they are filled right level with the rim (and who does that) when you allow for how much they are actually filled. Then there’s the inevitable spillage, dribble and how big a mess they make with it. Average horse will drink 12-15 US gallons a day, big, heavy bodied horses more, lighterboned less depending on temp, humidity and activity level. He’s probably not drinking enough when he’s out and there’s no way to moniter that.
The other thing is there might be some type hay or weeds in the round bales he’s having problems chewing completely. The BO will tell you it’s wonderful quality, of course. Hay shipments vary with each delivery and often rounds are not Inspected very carefully since they are so large compared to the smaller bales where more hay is easily visible. Like the soaked cube idea for both hydration and quality control. Alfalfa tends to loosen things up anyway, especially chopped then soaked…
Sometimes they hate cold water because it hurts their teeth, another reason to stay on top of dental checks. Be aware that many vets blow it off because they hate it, they don’t want to find anything because they don’t want to deal with treating it. Many multi vet practices will have a vet on staff who does the dental procedures, use one of those practices.
Oh, and use a bucket(s) not an auto waterer so you know what’s going into him. One reason many barns prefer not use them is they’ve learned they can’t spot low water consumption until it starts problems. At least hang a bucket in addition to the auto waterer.
I just skimmed the other responses and you’ve got a lot of good information. My first horse had colic surgery for a strangulating lipoma. It was done at Rood and Riddle by an amazing team of vets. They highly recommended quencher in the water to make sure the horse kept drinking. You can buy it off amazon. I haven’t met a horse that won’t down an entire bucket with it in it. I was also advised to keep my horse on a probiotic and to add 1 oz of oil to each meal. The oil would help keep things “moving” and deter impactions (my horse had nearly 3 feet resected from his small intestine and we were worried about adhesions and an impaction occurring at the site of any adhesion). I just added canola oil and it worked great–and gave him a terrific shine as a bonus.
Has vet mentioned ulcers? My OTTB colicked for the first time this past Dec. - he historically gets ulcers late fall/early winter (found by scope after mild symptoms show up). For the last 3 years he had them. This past year I “thought” he was doing well and we might get through that season without a hitch. WRONG. He colicked. Came out of it fine but within a week, stopped eating. Yep - ulcers again. Might be worth asking the vet (or doing a scope).
