Skinny Fillies?

[fort_falcon]

We have a few fillies in our yard (ranging between 3 and 5yrs of age) that simply refuse to eat. Now I realise this could be a stress thing as its worst the day after sprint work, but is there anyway to encourage them to eat? My employer gets so worried about them, its not as though they're lethargic or LOOk unhealthy, their coats are shiney, and they're very alert and working well, but they just look thin.

We try to adjust their food to their likes and not feed them things that they dont like, we also have them on anti-ulcer medication and appetite stimulants.

Short of retiring them (which would be a great pity since most of them are extremely talented and nearly always run in the money) is there anything else we can do to help them eat?

They also go into paddocks as often as possible.

Any advice would be HUGELY appreciated,

Many thanks.

[emmad]

Try this product Ration plus. Think can be ordered on www.rationplus.com

We use it on all young horses from about a month before their first race and an all finicky eaters. Is a great help. Also great for horses with stomach ulcers.

[fort_falcon]

Thank you! I've sent the link to my boss to check out, looks really good on the info, so hopefully *fingers crossed*

[larrygene]

If you can get yeast cultures, they do the same as the previous mentioned product at a fraction of the cost. In the USA we pay about $25US for 40 lbs. It comes in bags and will supplement several horses for about 3 months. You feed a handful once a day (not dosage critical) and you should see results in about 3 weeks. I feed all my horses yeast cultures. In the US a company named Diamond V is one of the largest manufacturers. A big market for yeast cultures is the dairy industry. So if there are dairy cattle in your area you should be able to find it.

Good luck,
Larrygene

[casallc]

When was the last time you had their teeth checked? If they are being worked they should be hungry. Make sure they are getting enough lysine in their diet.

[LKR]

Fillies are notorious for being finicky eaters. Definitely check their teeth.
Be sure they are wormed well. Some, however, just have a problem with being on the go and eating. They definitely have stomach issues. The yeast suggestion is a good one.
Might try giving them aloe vera in their feed too. That is excellent for the stomach. We have a 25 year old stallion, Basket Weave, who looks and acts 12. He was put on aloe vera among other things for arthritis. He blooms with the aloe vera and so far has had no stomach issues. We also use the Ivermectin Gold wormer at least once a year on him. We plan on keeping our younger stallion, Top Account, on the same program. EO

[fort_falcon]

I used to feed all my showjumpers Diamond V - and I totally agree it's fantastic, the problem is that the girls wouldnt be taking it in since they dont eat!!!...

Their Teeth are done ever 4 months by an Equine Dentist, and they are dewormed every three months on the button.

I'll mention the Diamond V to my boss though, because I do think its an excellent product.

[cewright]

Your comment about the fillies showing the worst symptoms the day after they sprint makes me wonder if they may be tying up. This is sometimes called Monday morning disease. Symptoms may include stiffness and a loss of appetite. A vet can give you better info. I have been successful in preventing this problem in susceptable horse by adding a vitamin E/selenium suppliment. Vitamin E injections reportedly give almost instant relief.

Regards

Chuck

[freshman]

You mentioned that they are on an gastic protectant, so that would seem to rule out the most obvious cause--ulcers.

But just for the sake of exhausting all possibilities, I'll ask what exactly are they getting? Usually gastrogard (omeprozole product) is considered the gold standard. Make sure that these fillies are getting the full dose recommended for horses that have ulcers (4mg/kg) and not the maintainace dose (1mg/kg). The full dose is recommended for a period of 4 weeks before reducing it.

Also, a lot of people try to reduce costs and use compounded omeprozole formulas or some of the other ones out there that are cheaper, but according to studies and vet opinions it does not work as well or as predictably. I know, seems like a lot of BS that gastrogard brand is sponsoring but apparently this is actually true in this case. Their formula is patented, works best, and can't be copied identically.

Worth trying if you haven't or aren't already, or you can have them scoped just to check out the state of things in there to make sure of what you are dealing with.

[fort_falcon]

I agree, Gastrogard IS the best, however it's also HELLISH expensive. Unfortunately Minor yards, like the one i work in, simply cannot afford it. I'm not sure how much it costs in the states but here you're looking at roughly 188USD per WEEK to have a horse on Gastrogard!!!!! INSANE, so most yards use an anti ulcer medication called "Lenamet" which is pretty good. I can't remember exact dosages right now, but I'll put it up tomorrow. Our fillies are on Lenamet.

[TBLADY]

www.platinumperformance.com

Look at and read carefully...Platinum Performance is UNBELEIVABLE STUFF! Also take a look at Bio-Sponge More cost effctive then Gastro guard (though not at all the same product) and I ahve found some horses will respond to Bio-Sponge when an owner doesnt want to spend the $$ on Gastro Guard.