Weight Problem

[Davignport]

I have a horse that I believe is 22 or so years old. He is a rescue I have had for 3 years so I am not sure of his exact age, as he is definately older than we thought he was. He has thickening of the wall of the small intestines and is having trouble putting on weight. I know part of the problem is that he is not absorbing the nutrients as he should. He is also on Prednisolone to help with the internal issues. Without doing a work up at the clinic and possibly a biopsy, it is hard to tell exactly what is happening. I am giving him Purina Boost, Cool Calories and Bloom to help with weight gain. He did well but a few months ago he started to drop weight and we are trying to build him back up. I had tried backing him off the Prednisolone and that did not go well at all.

From what I can tell, this boy has not had the easiest of lives, as I was his third owner in about 2 or 3 years and the first time I had his teeth done, the dentist said it was a very long time since they had been done. The rescue I got him from was run by a good friend so I know that she told me everything she knew about him.It was also close to me so I got to know him for 3 months before I adopted him and brought him home. He obviously was not in this condition when I adopted him and he did pass his PPE. Over the last 3 years, he has dropped weight and put it on again a couple of times and we are at that point again. I am trying to do the best I can for him, as I recently retired and now have a part time job, so money is definately a consideration. I know that his life with me for the last 3 years is probably the best it has ever been and I am willing to do all I can within reason. He might not have been the horse I wanted but he is the one I got and he is with me forever. I believe things happen for a reasonn and there was a reason he came to me. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[JB]

Thickening of the intestinal wall can be indicative of IBD/IBS which yes can lead to weight issues.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Horses - Kentucky Equine Research (ker.com)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Horses - Equine GI Disease Library (succeed-vet.com)

What does blood work show, assuming that’s been done? If it hasn’t been done, I’d do that asap to see what’s what.

[clanter]

@Davignport

I am trying to do the best I can for him, as I recently retired and now have a part time job, so money is definately a consideration.

whatever product(s) you end up choosing to use be sure to check the manufacturer’s web pages for discount coupons.

Purina is pretty good about having coupons available for feed trials and also has available nutrition consultants

Purina’s Horse Feed Trial

[Wyndwolfe]

I like adding rice bran for weight. About 1 cup per feeding (added to whatever you are already feeding). Reasonable cost, most horses like it.

[starsandsun]

Hi - going through some similar issues and would love to hear how your horse is doing.

[NaturallyHappy]

I’ve had great luck w soaked beet pulp. We use non- molassed for our older horses with alfalfa pellets mixed in. I hope this helps.

[SMF11]

Ask your vet about Purina well gel (only available through vets). It’s intended to help starving horses get the nutrients they need. It’s about $250 for a tub that lasts a couple of months. I had 2 horses in their 30’s who dropped weight and needed to get it back on before winter. Working with my vet, I fed Purina Ultium Gastric care, Empower (which is rice bran) and Well Gel. It did the trick!

I have seen people recommend beet pulp and triple crown senior. I feed TC SR to most here, but I have never been able to get horses to gain weight on it. Same with soaked beet pulp (I’ve tried).

[freshman]

Sorry this is happening. What is he currently eating, including forage? And how is is his appetite, etc. What will he eat/not eat? Does he now or ever have episodes or diarrhea? What is attitude/energy levels. Current steroid dose and have you tried increasing it? Those kind of details can help us get a better idea of his current state and make better suggestions.