CARE AND FEEDING OF HORSES IN POOR CONDITION
[Causes][Refeeding a starved horse]
(Updated April 2008)
Assessing poor condition
Any visible sign of ribs means a horse is too thin. Fully fit performance horses, e.g. racehorses, might look very lean and herring-gutted, but they are not thin unless they do show definite rib definition. Conversely, a big abdomen (grass belly) does not mean horses are in good condition, only that they are having to process a lot of low quality grass to get any nutrition out of it.
From that first suggestion of ribs, the signs of starvation just get progressively worse. A very emaciated horse will literally look like a walking skeleton – just bones with skin stretched over them. Ribs, hips and backbone will be particularly prominent. Other signs are deep hollows over the eyes and under the tail, thin ewe neck, sunken rump muscles. Depression is a feature – hanging head, no or little interest in surroundings, dull expressionless eyes. Without intervention, the horse will become too weak to stand. Death is the end result.
Causes of poor condition
All or some of these factors may be operating together −
· Lack of feed, sometimes combined with lack of water and/or too weak to access it
· Teeth problems
· Worms
· Chronic illness
Lack or insufficiency of feed
This is usually obvious. Native grasses lose much of their nutritive value during winter anyway, and can become non-existent in any season due to drought, overgrazing and/or overstocking. Or the paddock contains more weeds than grass, or the existing grass is too rank, sour or coarse to provide adequate nutrition for horses.
In southeast Queensland in non-drought conditions, the carrying capacity of native grasses is approximately a horse per hectare (2.5 acres) year-round without handfeeding. This can be markedly improved, even through winter, by the introduction of imported grasses. More information on improved pastures is available from the Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Brisbane, Qld.
In a handfeeding situation, simple insufficiency is generally the reason horses lose weight. Or by trying to maintain them on coarse hay with little leaf, or even straw, from which they derive minimal or no nutrition (unlike cattle). Working or riding the horses compounds the problem.
Teeth problems
These can be various but sharp edges on the molars are the main reason horses become unable to chew properly. The feed cannot be swallowed and is dropped from the mouth in the form of saliva covered quids or boluses, which will be visible on the ground. Obviously the teeth should be attended to as soon as possible, but starving horses may not be able to cope with any real dental work until they gain a little strength, so might have to be fed chaff (moistened if necessary) rather than hay for awhile.
Worms
Internal parasites are a common additional burden for horses low in condition and can be both cause and effect. Deworming is a must, but to avoid a possible reaction to the sudden release of large numbers of dead parasites, it may be advisable to start with several half-dewormings at shorter intervals. It depends on the physical condition of the horse and level of worm infestation. Design a program with the help of a vet. Monitoring can be done using faecal egg counts.
Chronic illness
Any chronic illness or lameness of long standing will cause or contribute to loss of body weight. A vet should be consulted to sort out the problem if lack of feed, worms and/or dental problems are obviously not the main cause of a horse’s poor condition.
Refeeding the starved horse
Thin horses can be rehabilitated completely, but the truly starved horse may be left with various long-term consequences. Horses which have lost more than 50% body weight have little chance of survival.
The desire to stuff feed into a starving animal is only natural but it can result in refeeding syndrome and death. The sudden overload of calories can shock all body systems and lead to heart, kidney and respiratory failure and death within 3 to 5 days.
The best way to introduce feed to starved horses is with frequent small amounts of high quality lucerne hay − no more than 0.5 kg every 3 to 4 hours. If this is well tolerated without diarrhoea or any other problems, gradually increase the quantity and decrease the frequency of feeding. By day 6, the horse should be receiving 1.5-2 kg of hay every 6 to 8 hours. By 10-14 days, the hay can be made available free choice, as much as the horse wants to eat. Feed up off the ground in racks or safely tied nets, allowing plenty of room if there is more than one horse. Ensure clean water is always available.
The feeding of grain or grain products is not advisable until the end of the
first month, it can cause metabolic problems and a setback to recovery. Start
with only a handful increasing to one up to 2 kgs a day, depending on size of
the horse. Free-choice salt can also be made available.
Serum electrolyte levels should be monitored for the first few days if possible
and fluid therapy administered if required, but this needs to be done with care
to avoid worsening the situation. Thiamin by injection may also be helpful.
Expect some physical improvement in about 2 weeks, with weight gain becoming apparent after a month. 3 to 5 months is the expected time frame for complete rehabilitation back to normal body weight.
The horse can be given access to grass once obviously gaining strength and weight, but should continue to be fed lucerne hay as well to guarantee an even level of quality nutrition. Ensure that paddock mates do not bully the recovering horse. Shade and windbreak protection must be provided. In cold, wet and windy conditions, thin horses will benefit from rugging provided heavyweight rugs are removed as the day warms up. Overheating will hinder rather than hasten the recovery process. Very emaciated horses may not cope with the weight of a heavy rug nor the rubbing of it on protruding bones. A shelter shed or stable with plenty of bedding may be more comfortable for them.