Advice on a quarter pony

[mtn_90]

I'm asking for some advice from all of you because I'm at a loss.

We've got a quarter pony that my daughter is riding. Age is unknown (on the pony that is! lol). Somewhere between 18 and 21. He's well behaved, good in 4-H, patient and kind. He's a nice quarter pony but he's been foundered (we knew it when we bought him, but we've dealt with ones before -- been years though).

Farrier said it wasn't really bad, but he was, so no green grass, alfalfa mix, grain...you get the picture.

I've got him on some real nice pasture cut hay (no ditch hay), but he's not gaining at all. He held his own over the winter -- just didn't gain...peaked in the butt and through the back. Ribs are showing a little. We just got him last fall and got his feet in order (abcessed in three of them when we got him) and wormed him and had the vet checked his teeth. All are in good order -- NOW.

I'm planning on getting the vet to give me a wormer for him. Any other suggestions for feed to help him out? He's been foundered, so I've got to take that into account when finding a solution to help him maintain.

If you've got any suggestions, please post. Thanks much.

[the_jersey_lilly_2000]

I've come to the conclusion that any critter (horse) that comes onto my place will be power pac'd It's a five dose wormer. Panacur Power Pac is what the package says. It runs about $70 around here but I've seen it cheaper in mail order catalogs. Alot of your regular wormers don't get all the small Encysted strongyles. Power Pac will get those. then back to a regular wormer for the rest of the year.

Right now...these that I'm feedin are gettin an 12% protein 8% fat pelleted feed, plus adding 1 cup a day of rice meal to it. It's real high in fat. I just asked Faster horses about feedin brewers yeast...she said right off the top of her head it'd be ok, but she's gonna do some checkin for me. It's supposed to really help older horses digest and utilize what they are getting.

[kolanuraven]

I think Brewer's Yeast is kinda cure-all for all critters who are in the dumps so to speak. I've given it to horses, dogs, etc. It helps with their digestion so they get more out of their feed .

It sure will make their hair coat shine like new dime!

[mtn_90]

Where are you getting that feed jersey? Do you have your local feed mill mix it or are you getting it bagged already? If so, what's the name of it?

Where do you find brewer's yeast?

I was thinking on that Panacure Power Pac. I haven't seen it in any feed store around here, so that's why I was going to contact the vet. Speaking of which, I think I'll make that call now and see if he can drop some by if he's coming this way.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

[Faster horses]

WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Ladies.
Save yourself some money and buy the Safeguard Paste Cattle Wormer.
It is the same darn thing as Panacur, but since it is for cattle it costs a whole lot less. Soon as it is for equines, the price goes wayyyyy up.

Yep, no foolin'. I work a lot with Safeguard...Panacur and Safeguard Cattle Paste is the same thing.

Just figure the weight of your horse, same as you would for cattle and give it for 5 days.

And Jersey Lilly is right, the Power Pack Treatment does wonders.
Gets more worms than anything else; except Bots. Thats when you need to use an avermectin. Here that is in the fall. Don't know about Texas, but I'm sure SD is the same.

You are welcome. I'm happy to save you money!!!

[the_jersey_lilly_2000]

I knew the panacur and Safeguard for cows is the same thing, but I can't get the Safeguard for cows here, I'd hafta order it......which is basically my own fault..cuz I'm so impatient and wanna do that kinda thing "right now" LOL

Think I seen it recently in Valley Vet for somethin like $38....I just may get on the phone tomorrow and order that for French Fry instead of spendin twice as much.

Ty for remindin me FH.

[mtn_90]

FH and Lily:

Much appreciated to both of you! I just got off the phone with a friend of mine that I haven't spoken with in a few months. Turns out she's working about 60 miles up the road at an animal health clinic -- shows you how much I get out.

Another friend of ours told me she was working at this place, so I called her this a.m. Turns out, she's got Power Pak on hand and it's $40 for the treatment. Guess I didn't think that was too bad, and since I haven't been able to find Safeguard locally and I'm not going anywhere for a few weeks, I told her to bring it to me (she works there, but lives close by me, so she'll deliver )

She also is bringing a bag of Strategy and a bag of Soy Bean meal to feed twice a day. The vet there highly recommends it. I'd be reluctant to take this step if I didn't know how picky this friend of mine is with her vet with horses. She's VERY picky and not just any vet will do -- they breed and have a very successful program. So, I feel pretty confident that I'm on the right track with this quarter pony.

FH and lily, thank you for the advice and the money saving alternative!!