35 year old horse

[lilacbabe]

I have a 35 yr old horse and cant get her to put weight on.What can I feed her to help put on weight.
At the moment she is fed beetpulp,conditioning cubes and 16 plus mix all mixed together with chaff or alpha a.
please help as she looks awfull but still loving life.
Thanks

[lankeela]

Flaked maize and barley are good for putting on weight, although barley can be a little heating so is best fed in colder weather.

I think though at 35 its probably more to do with her age, and provided she is healthy in herself and eating ok I would not worry too much. If you are embarrassed by her looking a bit thin, try putting a day rug on her if she is turned out, even a thin turnout sheet would keep her looking a bit more dignified if the weather is warm.

[campbellking]

There is a veteran horse society. Maybe they could help you?
their address www.veteran-horse-welfare.co.uk

[horsestache1]

You could try adding some soya oil to her feeds. Start by adding about a table spoon full and work up to about an egg cup per day over a period of about 2 weeks, Give it any quicker and she'll just get diarrhoea.

Let her out to graze for as long as possible, grass is the best and most natural feed for horses, and don't worry about laminitis, if she's never had it she wont get it now!

Also worm her, if she's not been wormed recently both for round and tape worm.

Good luck, and a big pat from me.