Rehabilitating Horses

Equine rehabilitation is a dauting task. It is important to know that the steps and tips to rehabilitating and reconditioning horses depends are their status when you begin. Check out these tips to use when working with horses depending on their specific needs.
 
Rehabilitating a Starved Horse
            The first step in rehabilitating a starved or neglected horse is to consult with a veterinarian to identify the reason for weight loss and identify health concerns that may affect the rehabilitation process. 
 
Second is to understand the body condition of the horse.  A numerical scale of body condition scores (BCS) on a scale of 1 to 9 is used to assess body condition and fat deposition in horses. Fat deposition is evaluated at six locations in horses: along the neck, withers, topline, tailhead, ribs, and behind the shoulder. A score of BCS of 1 is described as poor, or extremely emaciated while a BCS of 9 represents an extremely obese horse.   
 
A BCS of 2 is described as very thin, BCS of 3 as thin, and BCS of 4 as moderately thin.  Scores of 5 and 6 are desirable in most healthy horses.
 
Feeding the Skinny Horse
            A neglected or starved horse (BCS of 1 or 2) should be introduced to feed slowly to allow the microbial populations in the gut an opportunity to rebuild. 
 

• Start with forage.

Begin by feeding small, frequent meals of good quality grass or alfalfa hay (leafy alfalfa is ideal). A forage analysis is a useful tool to assess forage quality. At a minimum, the hay should be free of mold, dust, and weeds.
 
Offer the hay at a rate of 1 percent of body weight per day (approximately 10 pounds/day for a 1,000 pound horse), dividing the total amount over four to five small meals each day. Gradually increase the amount of hay provided so that the horse has unlimited access to hay by two weeks of feeding.
 

• What about feeding a grain or concentrate?

At three weeks, you can begin to gradually introduce a grain mix into the diet. Start by feeding one to two pounds per day for two to four days. Gradually increase the amount of grain mix fed by one pound every other day until a total of 1 percent of body weight is being fed (10 pounds per day for a 1000 pound horse). The grain mix should be divided into at least two to three small meals throughout the day. 
 

• What type of grain or concentrate should I use?

Senior feed (Co-op Winner’s Cup Golden Years 1300, #323) works well because it contains higher levels of soluble fiber, fat, and controlled levels of starch. Excess starch can cause digestive upset in recovering horses. Senior feeds are also more highly digestible and easily chewed by horses that are dentally challenged.
 
A pelleted feed like Co-op’s Winner’s Cup Advantage 1400 (#321) also works well because of its higher level of protein (14%) and increased digestibility.
 

• Always offer water

Fresh clean water should be available at all times. Also, plain white salt should be offered at one to two ounces per day and gradually increased to free-choice access by two weeks of feeding.
 

• How long will it take to see a difference?

In about two weeks, you can expect to start seeing increased levels of alertness and activity. In about four weeks, you should begin to see increases in weight gain. Full recovery may take up to six months. The lower the horse’s body condition, the longer it will take him to recover.
 

• What challenges can I expect?

If brought back to feed too quickly, there is an increased risk of colic, laminitis, diarrhea, and other metabolic disturbances.
 
A condition called refeeding syndrome can occur if the horse is fed too many calories too quickly. This can lead to heart, kidney, or respiratory failure and is caused by the sudden introduction of high levels of carbohydrates and nutrients in the diet. 
 
Feeding the Recovered Horse
            Once the horse reaches a body condition score of 5, start adjusting the amount of concentrate fed to maintain a body condition of 5. At this point, it is possible to begin light work with the horse, however be sure to monitor condition and adjust feed or exercise intensity to maintain ideal body condition.
 
Once the horse has recovered, plan on feeding a minimum of 1 percent of body weight as forage per day (hay or pasture). Forage quality and level of exercise intensity will dictate what kind of concentrate or grain is needed in the diet.
 
Consult your local Co-op or Grey Parks, TFC Equine Specialist for additional help with your horse’s diet. 
 
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